As you may recall, the problem was that Bob bit off or hooked his halter on the inside handle of the latch on his trailer. He broke it. Merhow, the manufacturer send me a replacement, including the specific screw bit used on that handle to remove the old and easy-peasy put on the new –
But how to keep it from happening again?
Temporarily I put a cover of duct tape over the handle.
Then I took a few ideas from here and there and made a cover out of a fabric similar to what one has on tote back (actually cut up a black tote bag to use the fabric --dense, tough, and a bit slick.
I sewed two darts to give it a little loft over the actual handle, then sewed rough side Velcro around the edge. This was “sew on Velcro.”
Next I took “stick on Velcro” --heavy duty for outdoor use and after cleaning my door, stuck the soft side of the Velcro to the door making a square.
The door handle now has a cover!! But if I need to access the latch from the inside, the Velcro will separate.
Ideas about replacing the paddle latch with a drop bar latch were expensive and I would need to take my trailer in to the shop to have it done. Second concern was I could be locked inside the trailer with no way out if some prankster were to drop the bar while I was inside. Scary thought.
Photos of my fix:
As to how do I tie Bob so he can eat his hay and not reach the door --my Merhow has tie rings on the center divider by the horse’s head --I think that’s so the horse can sort of be cross-tied? Anyway, I’m using the inside ring now instead of the one by the door (ear level, beside door). Bob uses a hanging bag for his hay. He can reach it. I tried a manger bag --he ate it.
FYI if the Velcro doesn’t stay stuck on the aluminum door, I will drive in four small screws through the Velcro to make the attachment more stable. So far, so good.
