Need creative ideas for naughty horse . .update # 27 with photos of fix for trailer

[Foxglove]

Bob, my new horse, decided to remodel my horse trailer to suit him by removing the inside door latch --it happens --personally, I think they are poorly designed. My other horse broke one when he caught his halter on it.

Good news is I only live 7 miles from Merhow and they have the door latches for me --bad news is they are almost $60!!! --slightly cheaper on line–but not exactly what Merhow installed.

My question is: **How do I keep Bob from biting off the new latch?" ** Of course Bob’s safety is #1 so I don’t think metal or plastic “cages” (like for thermostats) are a good idea --the thought of metal or plastic edges so near Bob’s face make me uncomfortable.

Unless you have a better idea (and I sure hope someone does) --I think I can cover the entire inside latch (the paddle part) with duct tape that will keep Bob’s mouth off it. I hope.

The only other solution I can think of is to have Merhow replace the paddle latch with a “drop bar” latch that would fasten only from the outside. That would be expensive, but I can’t think of anything else to do.

Thoughts?

Pix of what’s left of the inside of the latch – it still works . . .FYI

[Demerara_Stables]

Bob!

Put a cage on Bob’s face? /s

[NaturallyHappy]

I’d do the paddle latch, I think.

[CBoylen]

Why can Bob reach the latch?

[Foxglove]

The trailer is a 2 horse straight load bumper pull. The escape doors are in the front beside the horse’s head. Tie ropes attach about ear level. Bob can reach hay in front of him and clearly the door latch!

[2DogsFarm]

Would it be possible to fashion a replacement latch that’s metal where the plastic is now?

Re: your duct tape cover
If Bob is mouthy enough to break the existing latch, wouldn’t he also mess with the tape?

IIWM, I think I’d go for the $$$ dropbar latch on the outside.

[CBoylen]

Tie Bob shorter on the inside. To the bottom ring of his halter.

[fivestrideline]

@2DogsFarm

IIWM, I think I’d go for the $$$ dropbar latch on the outside.

Me too, only because everything comes out of my trailer to make a box, but the only way to use it safely would be to make the escape doors horse safe.

I don’t have a good suggestion otherwise. Maybe some sturdy foam cut over the latch and taped down?

[endlessclimb]

I added the paddle latch on the outside of the doors on my trailer (Hawk) because IMO the latch being on the inside by the horse area is dangerous.

I don’t think you need Merhow to do it though, that’s a common replacement part (it’s on more than just horse trailers!) and there’s got to be a frame right next to the door. Self tappers, line up the latch, done.

[chestnutmarebeware]

I’m low-tech ( and cheap ) so my first thought was to test some nasty-tasting substances (bitter apple, the one for protecting wraps, Tabasco, etc) and see if there’s one that he hates.

If you found the right one, he’d probably leave the latch alone after a time or two of playing with the ‘flavored’ version.

Then again, Bob might be like my local deer and love ALL those flavors. Good luck!

[trubandloki]

@CBoylen

Tie Bob shorter on the inside. To the bottom ring of his halter.

This was my thought too.

Curious, do you know he bit it off for sure? Could it be a case of his tie line getting caught on it, or his hay bag getting caught on it?

[Christa_P]

Could you cover it with a heavy piece canvas or leather, maybe held in place with a couple of snaps add around the latch.

[blue_heron]

A generous coating of hot sauce or soap?

[Djones]

tie him a smidge shorter so he cannot reach the latch itself. The simplest thing would be an adjustable tie-line (not a bungee style) and leave it attached in the trailer so you just hook him to it vs. trying to tie it the right length every time.

[RedHorses]

A shorter tie may increase the risk of respiratory illness if you haul longer distances. I tie my horse longer so he can get his head down.

I too wondered about covering it with a flap, but then thought it might just prove to be the next Bob toy!

[CBoylen]

There’s a range of difference between tight and long. No horse should be able to a) open the door or b) get the head under the breast bar. It’s not safe.

[Bonnie2]

Outside latch. What if he opens the door one day? IME you cannot tie a horse in a 2 horse straight short enough so that they can’t fuss the door. 4 Star will not put an inside latch in the horse compartment even as a special order. For safety. Good luck with Bob!

[Foxglove]

I enjoy posts that let others know the outcome: First, Merhow sent me a new door latch for free --so that was cheaper than buying one off line. The parts person I spoke with said that there is no cover or cage for the latch at this time, but agreed there should be.

Second, I took the advice to tie Bob with less rope --he can still reach his hay and put his head down, but he cannot reach the door latch --I don’t have the new one yet, but he can’t reach the old one.

I put duct tape over the latch on the inside --Bob hunted today and it appears that he did not reach or molest the duct tape, so that is what I will do for the new latch --I am also considering making a cover for both latches using heavy-weight fabric or vinyl and attaching with stick-on Velcro --stick on Velcro on the door, sew on Velcro on the cover. If Bob is catching the latch on his halter, that should solve the problem --if he’s eating it --I will put something like “Stop Chew” on the vinyl or fabric and maybe that will discourage him.

FYI Bob did well on his first hunt --much, much quieter as I hauled him with my current hunt horse. Bob loved the company. Usually he sweats in the trailer regardless of ventilation – today he came out completely dry. Yeah! About 10 min into the hunt, Bob’s bridle fell off --I have never seen that happen before! BUT --I did not put his bridle on --the young woman who was riding him did so maybe she didn’t get it on quite properly? One minute it was on him, the next it was hanging by his knees. Bob just stood sill until she dismounted and put it back on him. Then we followed the hounds (second flight) for a couple of hours. Bob had one melt down --not sure if it was him or his rider --but when first flight galloped past second, Bob became agitated to the point where his rider was uncomfortable --so at her request, I grabbed his reins under his chin and pony-d him for about a half mile until his brain returned to his body. I was riding W --my long-time hunt horse (28 this year) who has race-track pony horse in his CV --taking fractious youngsters in hand back to the hunt club has been his job for as long as I’ve had him (22 years). After he settled, Bob then walked quietly the 4-5 miles back to the hunt club.

Thank you to everyone who gave suggestions!

Bob on the field today:

[CBoylen]

Wonderful, Bob sounds like a gem.
My kids on the ones that have a lot of mane/forelock tend to sometimes not sort out the hair enough and the crown piece is perched forwards, resulting in a precarious bridle. It hasn’t happened that it’s fallen off yet, but the misplacement has happened enough that I’ve made “what do we do if our bridle falls off?” one of my lesson questions.

[chestnutmarebeware]

I agree, Bob sounds (and looks) like a prince! And princes are allowed to be naughty occasionally.