Any suggestions on how I can get my horse across a cattle guard?

Question

I just moved him to a new location, but I'm trapped there.....Unable to ride the streets &/or trails unless I can figure out a way to cross the cattle guard @ the entrance safely. Laying down plywood won't work because it's not flat....it's peaked. Are mats sold for this purpose? Where can I find one? Any other ideas?

Answer 1

Are you sure there is no gate around? I've never seen a cattleguard without a gate right next to it, or at least close by.



I wouldn't mess with it personally. I like to teach my horses that cattleguards are dangerous and that the horse needs to stay away from them. If you make them comfortable, then if the horse ever gets out, he won't respect the cattleguard. I've seen more than one horse step in them and break legs.

Answer 2

I think the safest answer would be as the other poster suggested.... to see if the property owner would install a gate so you could safely enter/exit. Even offer to pay for it....that would probably make them more willing to accomadate you. That said, I would think the 4X6 stall mats that are availabe would probably work, and I've even seen places that will custom cut them to fit stalls, so you could probably get one custom cut in the appropriate length to clear the cattle guard. If you do put something down, I would be careful to be sure that it is more than adequately wide, so that if your horse sidesteps it won't step into the grates of the cattle guard and get injured. One problem I see with this....are you planning on putting the mat down/taking it up each and every time? Otherwise, what's to keep the animals that the cattle guard is intended to keep in from crossing as well? If the cattle guard is no longer in use, and is definitely not going to be used in the future, you might approach the property owner about the possibility of you paying to have it removed and the driveway repaired.

Answer 3

Jumping the cattle guard would be dangerous and potentially fatal if the horse missed. I've never seen a cattle guard that did not have a gate nearby. If you can't find it, you can ask the owner if it exists or if they can install one.

Answer 4

I was once stabled at a place like that, I jumped it. Though it is fare from a safe option. I would talk to the person that owns the pace and ask if he can install a gate in the fence.

Answer 5

great idea with the mats. if the gaurd is not electrified you can probably get cheap conveyor belt mat. They do have some metal particles. google horse mats and see what pops up. good luck!