Using stall chain in place of chest bars in trailer?

[Addictedeventer]

I have a BP Horse Trailer that is Extra Tall Extra Wide. I have had a few incidents where a horse and pony were able to get on top of the bar and there was no way to quick release it. The second episode resulted in broken chest bars so I need to get them re welded but I don’t know if I want to use them anymore. They both were very green shippers. My trailer is not the most ideal thing for horses that have never shipped before but it is all I have right now. TIA!

Here is the stall chain:
https://www.bigdweb.com/product/stall+chain+heavy+duty+36+inch.do?sortby=bestSellers&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=100673

Or should I go with the regular chains and just use bailing twine? These are most adjustable for my trailer:
https://www.bigdweb.com/product/stall+chain+vinyl.do?sortby=bestSellers&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=100673

[ryansgirl]

I was looking at a new Jamco quite awhile back and they had a padded nylon strap in place of the metal chest bar. Totally made sense to use if for some reason you had to stop quickly the horse was able to hit something “soft” that had give to it instead of a solid metal bar. And easier to help a horse out if they got stuck on it (I’ve seen horses get hung up on a chest bar and it’s not easy getting the bar to release!).

A padded chain could work but I’d probably look into what Jamco had.

[clanter]

I just have concerns with a 1,000 pounds on a chain the quick release may not release at least that was my experience

[moving_to_dc]

Chain is a very small “surface area” to absorb any impact, if a quick braking incident were to occur. Chain would also have to be SUPER heavy to be rated to handle that impact without breaking…

Lots of the current snaps on the market are “pot metal” and will quickly shatter/shear off with any large force on them.

What you also need to consider, especially if you just use baling twine, is the danger that the horse may be in if it does get in front of that chest bar/chain. Are there escape doors the horse can fall out? A small floor area the horse can get into, get trapped, panic and thrash more?

I am generally in the belief that the chest bars are there for a reason, and they need to keep the horse BEHIND the bar, not be a break-away product.

[Pennywell_Bay]

I’d not use a chain for several reasons. One being if it breaks and wraps around their leg.

I’d use the chest bar, as I am guessing there is a way to rig it until you can get it fixed.

But first and foremost I’d practice trailering with the greenies. That way you can get what is really recommended and safest- a bar.

[chism]

MY former horse, a 16’2 draft cross ended up over the chest bar in my trailer and it was NOT a pretty situation. It only happened once with us. He leapt over the bar with his new owner, attempting to leave through the people door at a horse show and got stuck with his hind legs over the chest bar. I’m not sure how I"d feel about a chain though… I believe you do want a rigid barrier.
As an aside to this conversation… I was looking at new trailers at Equine Affaire… two brands. The Kingstons have your typical chest bars, rigid with the sliding pin. The Adams had a slightly different design. one that had a bit of “give” to it, so if the horse did slam into the chest bar, it would move a couple inches. I hadn’t seen that before in a trailer, was wondering which would be considered “better” if anyone had seen them.