"I wish I could go, but my ride fell through!"
Now that Ruby and I have decided to give the show world a try, we have discovered (with much pain, disappointment, and frustration) how incredibly difficult it can be just to get your horse to a show. I have met many barn-mates who were fortunate enough to be born into families who had the money to buy so-and-so a nice new truck and trailer (and chiropractic visits, and nice new saddles, and hey -even board costs!), but this was not my fate. Any and all horse-related financial burdens are entirely my own.
Growing up as a very strong-willed, independent woman, nothing irks me more than having to rely on someone else- especially when Ruby is involved. But what options are even out there?
1. Continue to "beg" rides off horse-y friends who have the equipment you need. This can include a wide variety of arrangements: some friends will take you and your horse for free, some will charge you gas, some will charge you gas and time, and some will refuse to take you at all. A general rule of thumb when hitchhiking for a ride is to offer to pay for gas -or in my case, I generally offer to pay for my ride's classes provided it does not overly exceed the standard going rate for hauling (about $1.75 per mile in my area).
2. Look for a professional hauling company. Although this will guarantee your horse is being transported by a professional (with the proper truck to haul the trailer, and up-to-date inspection stickers), these can be very pricey or completely unavailable depending on your location.
3. Only participate in "home" shows. There are plenty of boarding barns out there that will host shows. This is a very economical option for those who are boarding at one such facility. If not, well...
4. Buy your own trailer. Before we hop into the "okay, trailer shopping!" train, there are some important things to consider: Do you have a truck that has the towing capacity to safely tow your trailer AND everything inside (shavings, tack box, horse, buckets, etc.)? Does this truck also have the stopping capacity required to safely come to a complete stop with this load? If no, you may not want to buy a trailer just yet- if you can't tow it, you will again be at the mercy of others to find a truck that can tow you.
*note: not all is lost if you do not have a truck. You might find a fellow rider who has the truck but no trailer- you can always try to arrange something in this case. If a friend provides the truck and you provide the trailer, plan to go to show together free of charge.
So what else do you need to know before going trailer shopping?
Right now, I have figured the following:
1. It the trailer safe? Can I put it to use right away? Are any repairs needed?
2. Does the trailer come with a title (watch out for scams here!)
3. Does the trailer have working brakes/lights?
4. How many horses does it hold (I am looking for two horse)?
5. When was the trailer last inspected?
6. How old is the trailer (do some research on trailer models to see if it is what you need)?
7. Is the trailer bumper-pull or gooseneck?
8. Is the trailer a slant-load or straight-load? Ramp or stock?
9. How heavy is the trailer? Is is steel frame? Aluminum? (Aluminum will be much lighter, but some argue not as safe)
I will add as I figure out more!
