[shymare]

Do you prefer a straight or slant load trailer and why? I also put stock trailers in the poll because they're different...Does the difference matter or are they just like a slant load? Thanks!

[hueysgirl]

I put a slant but only because I have a straight load and I hate it.
lol.
My new mare is a pain to load and haul because she gets antsy and moves ALOT!
A slant would help contain her a little better.

[TrailBlazer]

I prefer straight load myself. Even before I found the following article, but it is something to ponder.

The Article is from: http://www.equispirit.com/info/articles/debunking.htm


“Horses naturally propel themselves forward using both hind legs, and halt by bringing those hind legs up underneath them. All riding disciplines require that horses halt straight with hind legs well under them because that is the correct and natural way for a horse to halt. A moves straight when moving forward. Dressage riders do not ask the horse to begin a dressage test by halting at X, slanted to the left. Western riders do not ask their reining horses for sliding stops slanted to the left.

Why ask a horse to absorb the force of acceleration and deceleration in a trailer in a slanted position where he must use the right foreleg and the left hind leg in an uneven manner? Traveling for long distances in this position can make a horse sore. Sometimes stiffness or soreness that may cause behavioral problems, and outright lameness that is not often attributed to the trailer ride, can be caused by it just the same. Hauling in a straight position, either forward or backwards, helps the horse equally absorb the acceleration and deceleration through the length of the spinal column. (Never put horse backward in a trailer that is not designed for it.)”

[JBandRio]

Straight, because I tend to have bigger horses, and traditional slant loads aren't usually long enough (stall-wise) without going to a WB-size which adds cost.

Plus, Trail makes a great point about the physical effort of traveling slanted. I realize that other studies have shown that horses generally tend to position themselves on a slant when allowed to choose, some even preferring to face backwards, but horses don't always choose what's physically best for them

[MissKitty]

I prefer an open stock trailer or a slant trailer with completely removeable dividers. I have a 3 horse slant trailer that I removed the front divider from to make two larger stalls.

[morgannut]

Stock trailers IMHO are more versatile, not only can you haul horses but other livestock and....well....STUFF a lot easier than in a trailer with stalls (I moved my entire household in two trips with a 12' stock trailer), and a lot of horses seem to do better with a step up than a ramp load -- but that's a whole other question.
That being said, for hauling multiple horses I think a straight load trailer is safer, putting several horses in a stock trailer *may* result in them stepping on each other, crowding, maybe biting, etc. although I've often hauled two or three horses at a time in that same 12' stock trailer with no major problems.
I don't care for slant trailers, they seem to have a lot of wasted space and I don't like the concept of having to unload everyone to get to the horse in the front, if your trailer doesn't have a front ramp.

[phoenixfh13]

Straight load. After having a slant load for years I will NEVER have another one. HATE them with a passion. But to each their own. That's why they make many different styles of trailers!

[Huntseat]

I own a straight, but I prefer slants. Much easier to load/unload, and my horse likes 'em better

[Chasin_3_Cans08]

I have mostly owned strights.. But Never Agian.. I love slants but would settle for a stock trailer.

[barnprincess]

look up the negatives of the slant loads. they actually cause navicular after a horse being loaded that way so many times.


http://www.naturalhorsetrim.com/Section_21.htm