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Member
Posts: 13
Location: mill spring, nc | I received my new 2010 Lakota 2 horse slant trailer today with LQ and I love it...it is a sweet little trailer. I have a couple of questions that I would like some input on if anyone is inclined. The step up seems rather high. It is 17in off the ground. I do have a seasoned loader, but I have heard some pretty scary stories about horses putting their first rear foot down and having the leg go under the trailer and flip the horse. Anyway, will see if I can turn my guy around first to unload but no sure. So, what is an acceptable height for a step up? Just curious. Do air shocks or air springs make the truck higher? This trailer really sat down nicely on my 2000 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton diesel; it did not squat but is sitting quite level and nice and it hauls well, but the ride is a bit rougher with this trailer and I am thinking about the air springs but don't want to lift up the truck and mess up the level ride. I need new shocks on my trailer anyway, and so am considering the air shocks or air springs. I have also heard that using some of the new cushioning devices on the hitch can help smooth out the ride. Thanks for any thoughts. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Iowa | It seems like these newer trailers are all a ways off the ground. Mine is 15". So I put a ramp on it. I like it that they walk on and off instead of doing the jump in thing. They back out better too. What kind of trailer do you have that has Shocks on it? I didn't think they put shocks on horse trailers. |
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Member
Posts: 13
Location: mill spring, nc |  OOPS, I meant new shocks on my TRUCK, not my trailer.....long day, sorry. Thanks in advance for any input.
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Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain... | My step up is 16". All my seasoned loaders walk on, back off. Never had an issue. My younger horses...I have a low spot in the drive that I will pull the trailer too. Makes the step about 8-10". I will use that to get them used to it. I'll never lead mine off. I have seen too many people get ran over by a horse trying to get past the person to get out. My broodmares have all been hauled up and down the road extensively. When I load them in the stock trailer and they stand loose...they will jump off the trailer when trying to walk out forward. But these same mares can be in the slant load and back off, with just a step, but never by jumping. |
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Expert
Posts: 2614
| We had the axles on our Exiss LQ blocked up to raise the trailer because we had a couple of low spots on our turns coming in/out to our house and almost took off one of the tanks before. We worked with our horses on unloading,letting them take their time and have a good look at the height before unloading.Loading wasn't a problem,they are all seasoned trail horses and are used to climbing over steep objects. We cue them with voice and words,saying "step back" then "step DOWN" and they know the difference in the voice cues means they are at the very back and ready to take the big step.Yes,it's scary to look at for us,too.I put shipping boots/shin boots on their back legs for protection just in case.I never let one turn around and walk out.I saw a woman who was dragged out of a trailer and almost kicked by a horse that decided to rush out headfirst.I just don't think it is a good idea,especially if there is a narrow tack wall at the back door. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 714
Location: Minnesota | My horse refuses to go forward off a trailer. Happened again yesterday. Camped Saturday night, Sunday were going to a group trail ride at another location. Another friend would haul all the saddled horses in his livestock trailer. Mine was last one on. When we got there, opened the gate untied her and started to lead her off. Wouldn't go! Had to go in and back her off, which she did right away and easily. Same thing when we got back to camp. I wish she would have gone off forward as there was about a 20" drop and I was nervous about it. Guess I will have to borrow a livestock trailer and work with her on being able to go out forward.  |
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Veteran
Posts: 236
Location: Little town in Pa | When I bought my Lakota I got a ramp on it because of the high floor. I wanted a trailer with a high floor because I dragged my old trailer going out of some driveways but the high floor does create some challenges. I got a ramp also because I did not think I would ever be able to reach the saddles in the saddle rack with out it. I had to add aid bags to to my truck because it was heavier than my old trailer. The air bags were quite expensive and I am no sure I love them, they seem to be leaking. You can always add a ramp to your current trailer or just be carefull where you unload to give your horse every advantage you can. As always, practice practive practive at home. I love my Lakota too ! |
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Member
Posts: 13
Location: mill spring, nc | Thanks so much for your input. My horse is a seasoned loader; I have loaded him on a lot of different trailers and he just walks on and takes his time coming out. I have never tried to turn him in a slant load b/c I have never had any reason too...he just eases off, so it will probably not be an issue. Gaining the input about NOT turning him around is very valuable...thanks. Anyway, I really appreciate your input and probably won't worry too much about it. I was just really curious if it was as high as I thought. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | My trailer has a 18" step. And I have considered having the axles blocked to add 3" more of clearance. Which would make mine 21" At 18" I have no problems with horses loading or unloading. Regardless of if they back out or come out forward. On trailers with mangers, especially with rear tacks, I always back them out. With open trailers that have the room, I let them turn and walk out forward. My horses are displined and know they can't rush out. If horses are rushing out and hurting people, I think they need more training at being led with a lead rope. |
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Member
Posts: 22
Location: Ontario, Canada | We recently bought a 2006 four horse kiefer Slant load ,step up.We noticed when we used it last night for two horses that its a higher step up/down for the horses ...hubby measured it and it is also 18 inches high. In the old trailer we used voice commands when they backed up to the edge as our teenage daughter was teaching her four year old to unloaded nice. But with this trailer we have decided to turn them around when we cannot find a high spot to unload them . Hubby is going to make one in the gravel driveway . Just nervous about their legs going under the trailer . Came close last night and we were making them move one step at a time ..The back is a 40/60 as we have the tack there . Wonder why this would be...our last trailer was a "1990 something " three horse slant keifer but made of Steel and was much lower .
Edited by 2468Horsesrgr8 2012-11-14 5:43 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | While the ability for horses to load and unload on larger steps does not seem to be an issue with me, I was told by my vet, that some horses have pulled things in their hind end backing out and stepping down off the higher trailers. I am a fan of ramps too, and would like to add one to my trailer |
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 New User
Posts: 2
Location: new ulm mn | I've been researching this topic to figure out what if anything I should do.I've purchased a '98 steel gooseneck, it has stock everything on it (so not jacked up) and the step up height is 20 inches. I didn't notice it prior to buying it.Horses do go in and out of it ok, however when backing out, they seem to search the air and hesitate... eventually backing out.I'm worried one of them is going to hurt their self. The are used to the smaller drop of my stock type trailer.. sits much lower.Not sure if I should be worried about it or if I should find a ramp for it or leave it be and have the horses become accustomed to it?Does anyone know what the 'standard' step up height is? Reading this post, it does not seem so unusual yet none of my friends' trailers have such a big step up height. |
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Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | Your horse will become accustomed to it. Give them time to find the ground as they back out. They will soon learn how far to stretch. |
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Regular
Posts: 85
| I too have a Lakota and noticed the same thing, AFTER I bought it, but so far, no problem for the horses, just me trying to get in the rear tack. I use a step! |
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Member
Posts: 7
| I am interested in this thread. I have a 2H GN that is probably 18-20" off the ground. It has a ramp..which I HATE! The horses do not load as well and it weighs a ton. Has anyone ever had a ramp removed and a door/doors installed? I like the trailer other than this. Would my step up be too tall? |
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Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | Read above. My trailer is 18" step off and I've never had any problems. But then my horses are used to stepping over logs and off ledges. 
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | I have always had step up trailers. I have seen horses injured on ramps,refuse to load on a ramp..etc..so it can work both ways. My horses have never slid under and flipped over but if that is a concern then unload on a dirt surface. I back mine out slowly,they know the step is coming and simply allow them to find it. They do get used to it. |
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Member
Posts: 16
Location: missouri | I bought a used '03 trailer with a ramp because I liked the floorplan. The ramp is a nightmare of problems. I hate it too. But when I asked about changing to 50/50 doors nobody would even talk to me. The suggestion was get a new trailer. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | Anyone in TX have a Sundowner 8' wide trailer ramp they want to sell? Miss my ramp trailer |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560
Location: Mena, AR | Just had my trailer blocked and it now has a 18" step. I've had three of my 5 horses in and out, and they were fine with it. Not a big fan of ramps. The newer trucks are higher, so I think your going to start seeing more and more new trailers come off the lot a little higher. |
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Veteran
Posts: 178
Location: Richmond, Ky | painted horse, I think that pic might be just a tad bit more than 18 in. luv ya pics, and your country to ride in. Maybe one day I might get to see it. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: MS | My cousin just bought a Dreamcoach 3 horse. I don't know how high it is, but I doubt that my little Paso Fino would want to get in! He is another one that will only back off, and I sure would hate for him to feel like he was dropping off the face of the earth. Plus, her trailer has a rumber floor,and her horses slide pretty bad when they are getting in. I just wonder how long it may take until they don't want to load up. Granted, I will probably drag my tanks off (again) before she will, but I still like mine a little closer to the ground for my shorter horses. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Watertown, TN | Plus, her trailer has a rumber floor,and her horses slide pretty bad when they are getting in. I hadn't heard this about rumber floors. Is this really a problem? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| Originally written by Arieldouglas on 2013-09-30 7:48 PM
Plus, her trailer has a rumber floor,and her horses slide pretty bad when they are getting in. I hadn't heard this about rumber floors. Is this really a problem?
It can be a little slipperier than rubber mat. Shavings seem to cure the problem on both floors. I have a friend who hauled barefooted brrodstock on Rumber, without shavings, and had issues until he laid a regular mat over it. But there are a ton of Rumber floor owners who love their floors, or more precisely- not having to drag mats to clean them. |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | Any mat can have slippery issues especially when it get wet from urine. I have seen horses slip an stumble a bit when being led out of a step up trailer. Nothing serious but depending on the surface and if the horse is shod there is always a chance of a slip. |
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Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | As long as I kept some shaving on my rumber floors, never had any problems. My horses have to step off ledges all the time. So stepping out of trailer is not a big deal. But I did try to find low spots to park my tires in when I had the LQ trailer that required they back off. My current trailer has a mid tack, So plenty of room to let a horse turn and walk off. 
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Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Watertown, TN | Never had any problem with the mats in my trailer even when wet. I was surprised to see that the rumber floors could be slippery. |
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height of step up on trailers
