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New User
Posts: 4
Location: ktown,tn | i have a 2007 silver star 3horse slant load that i was wanting to know if i can make the solid dividers at the head into a bar type so the horses can see each other and get more air flow. also i have a mare that hates to back out or should i say will RUN out backwards but she will walk off nicely, can i put her in the first slant area, turn her around and haul her facing the rear? she normally rides in the middle spot, will this cause any problems with the way the trailer will handle? last question, my escape door is on the drivers side,it is 40" wide and in front of the wheels, could this be turned into a ramp so she could just walk off the trailer or would this mess up the trailer? is it possible to turn this trailer into a 2+1 style? 1 slant in front with ramp,2 staright load in rear without ramp? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522
Location: Tucumcari NM | Many horses prefer to ride facing the rear. My gelding will always turn to face backwards if I allow him to do so. I see no disadvantage to this.
Yes, you can add a ramp to the space where your escape door is located. Any trailer repair shop should be able to handle that.
Do you haul just one horse at a time? If not, switching the order of loading will not affect the trailer handling.
Yes, you can replace the dividers.
With the modifications you want to make, it might be cheaper to sell your trailer and buy one with the features you want.
Marla |
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New User
Posts: 4
Location: ktown,tn | i just love this trailer though :) anyone have any idea of how much a ramp would cost? ball park price? |
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Veteran
Posts: 236
 
Location: Little town in Pa | I bet the ramp would cost you between $1000 and $1500. |
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Regular
Posts: 64
Location: Oklahoma City | You can modify the dividers if the solid head area has a frame around it. You can haul the mare anyway you choose, it will not interfere with anything to do with the trailer. You can add a fold up ramp on the outside of the escape door (generally about $1500). I would not recommend the 2+1 change as you're getting into a lot of expense, although it can be done.
Edited by trguy4820 2009-01-20 2:14 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | You can always re-train a horse to walk out backwards if you take them time to do so. I try this- instead of starting when she is already loaded,walk her in until all four feet are in, ask her to stop then gently back her out. Continue until you et a good response -such as her willingness to calmly step out. Then next time ask for all four feet and another step- ask her to stop then gently back out. Repeat until she has a positive reponse then of course add more steps in. If she starts to run back...go back a step. The idea is to retrain her thinking that she has to get out now. She will figure out that she doesn't and isn't expected to. You must be consistant and each time be aware of her tendencies. |
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Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Alabama | If you were to let her haul facing the rear in the first slant, be aware that this would give her free access to biting, chewing, etc, the rear end of the horse in the middle stall if that horse is tied the normal direction. Just something to keep in mind. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Western WA | If you do haul her backwards in the first stall, you may want to consider getting a stud divider that goes all the way to the ceiling - or close - to prevent her from biting the horse in the 2nd stall. |
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New User
Posts: 4
Location: ktown,tn | i was thinking i could tie her head back away from the middle horse and then give her a hay bag to sort of stay in front of her mouth. i think i can put a tie ring far enough away so she can't get to the middle horse. i really don't like solid head dividers, to hot and i like to see the horses :) |
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Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Alabama | Tying her out of reach of the middle horse would probably work. I agree with you that I don't like solid head dividers, although my current trailer has them. |
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Member
Posts: 15
Location: Glen Mills, PA | I would go the training route......MUCH cheaper. It is also a very good idea to train a horse to load and unload from slants, straights, step ups, ramps, and able to back out or turn around. That way if your trailer is out of commission and there is an emergency, your horse is good to go!
Good luck with whatever you decide. |
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questions,questions,questions :)
