Looking for constructive opinions on the absence of the divder for that last stall on the simple GN slant loads. I prefer to have something that keeps the horse in the trailer while you open and situate the doors, but seems like it's hard to find. I'm trailer shopping and have narrowed the field, but all are without a last stall divider.

I had wanted to avoid getting pushed into a 3H just to get 2 divided stalls, or requiring after-market work done.

Anyone had serious issues with horses coming out of these types of trailers? Your useful feedback is appreciated. TX!

Sounds to me like you are refering to a stock combo type trailer.  You can have the trailer customized from the plant.  Tell your dealer what you want and draw a picture or take photos of exactly what you need.  It may add some cost and you may find yourself in the price range of a nicer trailer where it is standard.

Good luck, hope this helped!

Correct - no rear tack, just a big open space with nothing to keep the horse from stepping backwards and possibly stepping 'out' of the trailer before you were ready to take him out. I agree the horse should respect being tied, but that's relying on him versus a divider locking him into his space while you open doors, put ramps down, etc. I'm worried that a panicked or excited horse is going to try to unload while I'm trying to latch doors open; stepping down while tied could obviously escalate into a real accident.

Prevention seems to be a better idea but why is it so hard to find?

I have the same set up with my trailer.  When hauling 3 I have a padded chain across the back the stops a horse from backing up.  Obviously the first time a horse uses the last stall you have to ensure that they are aware of it and respect it.

I had a trailer like you describe for 5 years. No butt bar-no chain, Nothing but the doors.

When I opened the 1st door, I would usually put a hand on the horses hip to reassure them that I wanted him to stand still.  In that trailer, I always let the horses turn and come out forward. So they were not in the habit of backing out. So they would usually wait for me to open the second door and pick up their lead rope.

I never had any problems. Not that it couldn't happen.

I used the exact same system....never had a problem! 

I had a mare get injured by a bungee tie.  The vet took pictures of the knot it left right under her eye.  So to say they are safer is baloney.  Always use a tie with a quick release snap, they work the best.  I had borrowed a friends trailer that didn't have those, he had the bungee's.  Never again! 

mine is open in back with a full swing door.   What i do is  go in and not swing the door all the way open, just enough for me to get in.  I then go in and untie the horse or untie from the feed door before going in.

i have also seen people put a chain acrooss the back.   

I don't tie in my two horse with mangers but their heads are divided and they can't eat each other under the divider.  That said, I do tie in slants.  I have seen horses eat each other under the dividers...the last thing you want on your show horses!  The safest way is a tire inner-tube tied to the trailer and then a short rope tie from that with the panic snap away from the horse.  I saw something similar used to "break babys" but then realized if I changed it I can use it with all the horses and even show cattle.  You can even attach your hammock across the trailer and snooze during the down time.

I'd get a longer trailer and add one solid divider after the last horse.  Having it latch just before the back door hinges.

Wow, are you sure you are not taking the big chance?  What happens in a wreck?  Think you will be able to get your horses out if they are tied?  What happens if they lose their ballance and end up hanging themselves?

Tying or not is just a personal preference in my opinion, and I certainley think he is not insane.

BTW I do tie my horses, but I know many who don't.

I have a horse that can get her head under the divider...dang straight I tie her. I can just see the damage done if she had her head under the divider when I stop or turn or even just bugging the horse next to her and starting a fight. Even if she just bumped her head a freaked out afterwards.

A friend of mine rolled their 3 horse trailer (fully loaded) on to it's side down a small enbankment. Thankfully those horses were tied. The trailer ended up on the "butt" side so the horses were sitting. Being tied kept them straight and not falling over onto the other horses. Horses just had some scrapes.

It's a crap shoot when your hauling horses and so much depends on the individual horse's personality.  With most of my horses in a straight load trailer I did not tie them because it was usually a snug fit.  They could only go "up".  With the roomy slant loads I always tie them w/ a cotton line for many of the reasons other have offered- they an start jacking around with each other over and under that divider.   I work for a vet and have seen what bungee cord ties have done to horse's eyes when they snapped.  From that perspective I could never, ever recommend using them in a barn or trailer, never.

If the trailer is involved in a wreck the least of my worries will be if they came untied rather "are they alive?".  Just as airplanes are designed to fly and not wreck, horse trailers are designed to be hauled not wrecked so wrecks bite in each example.

Basically it comes down to a Dr. Phil'ism "How is that working for ya?".  If your way is working then keep it up.  If your horses are getting scraped or upset during hauls you need to revaluate what you are asking of them, IMO.

Back to the original poster- when I have my rear tack out the horse in the last slant (I have a two horse slant GN) stands fine until we walk in and take them out.  They are expected to "whoa" until qued to exit.  Good luck!

If you do not get a trailer that has a butt bar you can either make one or a butt rope. Get two extra tie rings from the place you got your trailer and then with a simple double ended rope or a simple job by your local welder you should be set up.