I ALWAYS use shavings (fresh, clean shavings) and rubber mats when I haul. If they seem dusty, obviously you would wet them with a watering can or hose. Additionally, you might try wetting hay for trailer rides. If you have horse that doesn’t drink well or has respiratory issues and will eat wet hay (soaked is a good idea if you have a feed bag, or manger to catch the extra water) it’s a great way to make sure you keep him/her hydrated and limit dust. Happy hauling.
I haul with NO shavings over my mats most of the time. None of my horses pee in the trailer. I will add shavings for long trips, where it’s more likely a horse will have to pee. We’re making a 9 hour drive on Thursday, so I will add shavings.
It must depend on the mats, but they most definitely can be slippery so I always use shavings. I’ve seen horses slide right off ramps and scramble in trailers when they lose their footing due to wet, slippery mats. I’ve hauled all over the country many times and I’ve never (knock wood) had a respiratory issue. I also haul multiple times per week all year round, even when it’s very hot and cold so I’ve had a lot of opportunities to experience problems. One thing I do consistantly though is I make sure the windows and vents are always open for the horses, even when it’s cold. Air circulation has a lot to do with protecting the respiratory system. Wetting the hay and shavings can also be helpful if they seem dusty but this is not something I normally need to do.
Always mats and shavings for me. I’ve ridden in my trailer at highway speeds with shavings in there and they don’t blow around, plus my mats are slippery if they get wet so the shavings are necessary.
I have a Hawk with a Rumbar floor, so no separate mats.
No shavings, for all the rasons metioned.
I sometimes have horses slip on the RAMP, but not in the trailer itself.
