Wheelbarrows/manure at shows

[SarahandSam]

I have always relied on the kindness of strangers (and friends, and trainer) to transport my horse to shows, since I’m trailerless. A couple of local shows have barn wheelbarrows and forks for everyone to use, so that’s great. But for shows where everyone brings their own wheelbarrows, I’m kind of at a loss as to what to do. I’ve generally just asked to borrow the wheelbarrow/fork of whoever is trailering me, as long as they’re staying and showing. I feel badly constantly borrowing them though, and would like to find some sort of option for myself. However, I also have to squeeze my trunk, hay bale(s), and shavings into the person’s trailer generally, since my car is tiny, and I don’t want to get anything big.

Anyone have any solutions for easily portable manure disposal options that don’t take up much space? I was contemplating getting one of those folding utility carts that I can keep in my car, and then maybe a small 40 quart muck bucket, perhaps? Folding wheelbarrow? Not sure if nylon would be impossible to clean enough to not be unpleasant sitting in my attic the rest of the year…

If anyone has clever solutions, I’d love to hear them!

[Foxglove]

Probably the simplest solution is to suggest that you will clean both stalls if the person with the trailer will bring the tools to do so. If you made me that offer, I would buy and transport shavings for both of us! At the present I have a very nice second competition horse that I will occasionally allow someone to use --that’s the deal —he/she cleans both stalls, I provide all hay and bedding and tools to do so. It has worked well for me. . .Oh --rinse out the wheelbarrow before loading to go home --nice touch!

[atr]

I use a tub trug-which is a flexible muck bucket–and fork. I can’t be doing with wrangling a wheelbarrow at the best of times, so I actually use these for stall cleaning at home, too. Light, easy to pick.up, easy to keep clean. I have a set in the trailer.

[Scribbler]

If I was trailering someone to a show I would think it perfectly normal if we both used whatever cleaning tools I supplied. Actually I have a plastic garden waste trash can on wheels I use for picking out my trailer when I trail ride and that could be used to clean a stall at a show. Its lightweight and if you are picking out your trailer somewhere with no convenient manure pile, you can take it with you.

I think traveling with a regular wheelbarrow would be impossible. I have seen the folding ones. Don’t know their longevity.

Sharing a wheelbarrow onsite is so far down the list of annoyances connected with trailering others, it wouldn’t even register for me as a problem.

[dotneko]

Are the shows ones where stalls must be stripped? If not, store dirty bedding and manure in the corner for the weekend. I had a student who had a bad back and just used a 5 gallon pail and pitchfork. If you pick a few times a day it isn’t so hard that way. If the stalls have to be stripped, often there is a pony clubber interested in extra cash.

[outerbanks77]

I just got one of the folding wagons to transport gear. I’m thinking I’ll find a plastic tub that fits in it. It can be washed out and used for storage off season and to/ from the show.

[SarahandSam]

Thanks all! I like the suggestion of just offering to pick both stalls…

[DiamondJubilee]

I totally agree with others. If I was trailering someone elses horse and they only had a car, I would not expect them to have a wheelbarrow and fork of their own. I think offering to clean both stalls is more than fair for sure. Just make sure the person trailering you is aware of the situation and knows upfront.

I’m that crazy person who actually enjoys mucking my own horses stall (I also like to see how much they poop, pee etc as I do it every single day and I can tell if they are “off” by the look of their stall), so that person may want to have some sort of other deal, or they may not even care at all!

[high_hat]

I often show with a group of people. I have a truck and trailer and I often bring a Rubbermaid cart and am happy to share it with everyone in my group. I’ve never felt intruded upon if someone asked to borrow it. If someone felt like offering to buy my lunch or something that would be appreciated. I myself prefer to clean my own stall.

I really can’t imagine someone unwilling to share something like a muck bucket with someone that is trailering with them.

[Scribbler]

I would hope OP is already being generous about defraying shared costs, if not through aa straight up fee then at a minimum paying gas and lunch for the friend with the trailer!

If you don’t own your own trailer you don’t realize how much other gear you are also “borrowing’” like trailer ties, maybe hay bags, shavings, etc.

Offering to pick out the trailer would also make your hauling friend very happy.

[Texarkana]

I never had a problem with just a muck bucket and fork. I would never expect someone to bring their own if they were riding with me. I’m usually only showing one horse at a time and have never felt like I needed anything more or even a cart.

I recently switched out my trailer’s muck bucket for a tubtrug to save on space. It’s “squishable” so it can take up less footprint in my trailer if need be.

I had a folding wheelbarrow once… it was terrible and useless. I would not recommend one; I’d recommend a folding manure cart first if you’re having to haul lots of manure long distances. But I would not feel bad about sharing stall cleaning tools at a show with the person transporting you. If you think it’s a big deal, just ask them what they think first.

[ArabDiva]

If I was hauling for someone, I’d be pretty annoyed if they felt the need to bring their own fork and barrow or muck bucket. Just use mine!

At shows, I’m also definitely not above borrowing a wheelbarrow from a neighboring group either. especially if it’s full or half-full and you offer to empty it, people are usually more than generous

[Shagyas_Rock]

For a fairly low price - under $50 I believe, you can get a light weight, portable, folding wheelbarrow that folds flat and weighs very little - from Valley Vet Supply - but there are other places to buy them too - I think Schneider Saddlery
may have them. They hold quite a bit and don’t take up much space at all. I think they are so much easier to use than
the muck buckets which are round and take up considerably more space. This thing could probably fit in the trunk of your car.
As for a fork - it shouldn’t be too hard to find room for one extra fork in someone’s truck or trailer… .

[EVneo]

Another for the tub trug (aka poopy purses) if you’re in a position where you can’t share. They’re a bit of a pain if you have to strip since they don’t hold a lot though. But, they’re light and rinse very well. I have a 3 horse trailer and keep enough ties, buckets, feeders, haynets, clips, hooks, etc in my trailer that I can fully set up 3 horses at a show. If I’m trailering someone who’s not mine, I fully expect them to use my gear - no reason to pack doubles! I understand not everyone shares that mindset, though.

[LetItBe]

@Shagyas Rock

For a fairly low price - under $50 I believe, you can get a light weight, portable, folding wheelbarrow that folds flat and weighs very little - from Valley Vet Supply - but there are other places to buy them too - I think Schneider Saddlery
may have them. They hold quite a bit and don’t take up much space at all. I think they are so much easier to use than
the muck buckets which are round and take up considerably more space. This thing could probably fit in the trunk of your car.
As for a fork - it shouldn’t be too hard to find room for one extra fork in someone’s truck or trailer… .

Not sure if this is the same one but I bought this one from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Bosmere-W302-Folding-Wheelbarrow/dp/B004H5IM4K/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=folding+wheelbarrow&qid=1559081532&s=gateway&sr=8-4

Now I do constantly have to tighten the screw but it folds up nicely in the trailer and can handle one pony’s stall.

LetItBe

[mvp]

Similar problem. My favorite solution so far is a huge, giant-ass one of these semi-flappy muck buckets… and a rope.

https://www.gardenersedge.com/gorilla-tubtrug-medium-69-gallon/p/GOR-MD/?kc=geshop19n,GESHOP16N&mkwid=spgvlQRPy|dc&pcrid=6 0345006176&pkw=&pmt=&plc=&prd=GOR-MD&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shoppi ng%20|%20GE%20|%20Gardening&utm_medium=cpc}&slid=& pgrid=16870247816&ptaid=pla-314495249648&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI267bh83A4gIVkMDACh2 ZzAVQEAQYAyABEgKa1vD_BwE

Oops, didn’t know these were called Tub Trugs. Anyhoo, it’s the same version of a muck bucket everyone else is recommending.

And the rope or bailing twine is for tying it to one handle to make it easy to drag it, if very full. The collapsability of it, and some restraint about filling it up, make it easier to carry than a stiff muck bucket of the same size.

I keep a muck-bucket sized one of these in my horse show kit. It takes a lot of stuff to the show where it becomes a muck bucket. Then, it gets rinsed out and becomes a laundry basket on the way home. At home, it joins the water buckets where it all of those buckets get washed out with bleach… the muck bucket last, of course. Now it and the rest of the buckets are put back, clean and ready to go for the next show.

ETA: Because it is bendable, I think you’ll have an easier time fitting it in your car or elsewhere. In fact, when I bought mine, I think I was on a road trip with a rented economy car. Two of these fit fine in the back seat of a Toyota Corolla or similar.

[JRG]

[h=1]Keter 17182462 Easy Go Cart[/h] I have one of these and love it. Small and compact, perfect for fitting in a trailer or at a show.

[Shagyas_Rock]

@LetItBe

Not sure if this is the same one but I bought this one from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Bosmere-W302-Folding-Wheelbarrow/dp/B004H5IM4K/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=folding+wheelbarrow&qid=1559081532&s=gateway&sr=8-4

Now I do constantly have to tighten the screw but it folds up nicely in the trailer and can handle one pony’s stall.

LetItBe

Mine is indeed similar to that. I’ve never had a problem with loose hardware though. The first one I bought lasted over ten years - then the tarp material started to fray and wear thin so now I’m on my second one. I’d never bother with a big
ol’ bulky round tub. . . you have to put it in the tack room of the trailer (if you want something that smelly in there) - if you put a tub in the bed of your truck you have to lash it down really tight of the wind velocity will fly it like a kite!

[DMK]

While I have my own trailer, I’m always looking for ways to save space, so the muck bucket, grain bucket, 2 water buckets, wash bucket and 2 of those 5 gal buckets (for setting up feed) that all fit in a stack (in that order) like a nesting doll in the muck bucket. So if I was hauling your horse, I assume I would be taking your water buckets as well? This is just kind of easier to move the whole shebang so I wouldn’t mind if I bought a muck bucket full-o-buckets along.

For years I just used a lead rope to drag it, but I am old and I want to make things easier for myself and I hate bringing my muck bucket cart from the barn along because it is bulky and a pain to fold, so I got this one from schneiders that folds up very flat and would be pretty easy to bring in the car and stack other stuff on top of.

easy up cart

My only caveat is that I absolutely ALWAYS scrub that muck bucket out at the end of each show and sometimes even rinse it out at the end of the day just to stay on top of it. But it is a Dan’s (the gold standard of muck buckets!) and has been going strong since 1986 and still doesn’t stink (and since I store other buckets in it, I want to keep it cleaner than your average much bucket)