Anyone removed the rubber skirts in an Ifor (or other) trailer?

[soloequestrian]

We were doing loading practice today and the rubber skirt blew and gave her a scare. I'm wondering about taking the skirts out... not entirely sure what they're there for, maybe to help if horses try to kick each other? Has anyone removed them and were there any consequences?

 

[millikins]

One of ours damaged the shirt so badly (goodness knows how but that's horses) that I had to remove it, Replacing it was on the "to do" list for at least a couple of years with no ill effects. Trailer's long gone and it never did get done.

 

[julesjoy]

Yes, although again not on purpose. Didn't cause any issues that I noticed.

 

[TheMule]

Mine disintegrated (age related) but doesn’t make any difference

 

[Cortez]

The rubber skirts are to prevent horses from treading on each others pasterns and coronary bands during travel, and to stop or reduce kick injuries. I've never had a horse injure a companion in that way anyway, skirts or no.

 

[soloequestrian]

Oh good, I will have a look tomorrow and see how hard they will be to remove!