Posted 2014-03-16 1:29 PM (#158083) Subject: Hating my new straight load!
Regular
Posts: 60 Location: Alberta Canada
Okay so I used my 25 foot long 6'9 wide 7'6 inch high 2 plus 1 trailer for the first time yesterday. The back of the trailer with rear ramp has the two straight load stalls and then there is an angle stall at the front of the trailer with a. Side ramp. I took my trusty easy to load pony with me as a companion to pick up my new horse. I unloaded her when I got to their farm so she could stretch her legs a bit and then when I tried to load again there was no way she was getting in that straight load stall! She even reared! She has never ever done anything like that with my old three horse step up slant load trailer. Finally my friend tried loading her in the front angle stall and she hopped on the trailer just fine. The new horse loaded fine in the straight load stall. Well , the first thing I did this morning was to remove the easy to take out dividers. It is now a totally open trailer. I am contemplating having another tie ring installed on the side. I think that because my trailer is essentially a three horse trailer in length and width I could have a slant divider installed but I am not sure if that will affect the resale value. Am I better off to just add one side tie ring and use it as an open stock type? That way if I ever sell it I can just put the old divider back in. I feel MUCH safer in this trailer Than my old slant load as there was no front escape door and I once got trapped in the nose of the trailer with a tied and panicking horse. My new one has he side ramp plus another escape door across from it. Not sure if adding that divider is a good idea so I thought I would solicit some feedback from the many forum members who are far more experienced with horse trailers and hauling than I am. I would greatly appreciate your feedback and suggestions. My trailer is a Sundowner and double axel of course. Designed for three horses so can I use it for two as open stock or angle haul?
Posted 2014-03-16 5:58 PM (#158092 - in reply to #158083) Subject: RE: Hating my new straight load!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
Since you have options, why would you want to change it? Your pony likes the slant, so use the slant for her. Your other horse didn't have an issue. I have both a straight load and a slant. over time, the horses have learned to adjust themselves to each trailer without issue. Some straight loads allow you to swing the divider over so the first horse loading has a lot of room to load in. I would just give the pony a chance to learn the ropes of a straight load before I would modify the trailer. Just my opinion.
Posted 2014-03-16 6:50 PM (#158094 - in reply to #158083) Subject: RE: Hating my new straight load!
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: iowa
Ideally a 2+1 is for someone like me that wants to haul a horse and carriage or something big. The ones I have seen are not slant in front but square so you have a box stall for horse or carriage.I personally would not haul a horse in back (especially a light weight pony) because it bounces really bad back there. Have you ever seen how saddles ride in a rear tack? So my horse would go up front, and partitions removed and carriage in back.
Posted 2014-03-16 7:11 PM (#158095 - in reply to #158092) Subject: RE: Hating my new straight load!
Regular
Posts: 60 Location: Alberta Canada
Thanks Tammy!It was ridiculously easy to take out the dividers. I think that I miss the openness of my former slant load as well. I am just going to have four extra tie hooks added for now on each side of the trailer in the front and back. Then I can load number one horse in the back and tie above the escape door. Horse number two can be tied near the back and they will have room to balance themselves at an angle. If I find that I still yearn for a divider I will have one added. I really do love the design of my trailer with the side ramp and escape door and have no plans to ever sell it so who cares if I modify it for my own taste. I feel very relaxed in this trailer because I have the peace of mind knowing that I can quickly get out from either end of the trailer if need be. Misbehaving pony was sure being a brat though yesterday by rearing and carrying on like she had never seen a horse trailer ! before! It's funny how horses, just like kids can make liars out of you. When I went to pick up my new horse I told the people that I brought the pony along as a good model for the new horse to see how easy it is to get on the trailer! Lol NOT!!!
Posted 2014-03-16 7:50 PM (#158096 - in reply to #158095) Subject: RE: Hating my new straight load!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
You're welcome! I too love the open area of a big stock trailer. When I was carriage driving I custom ordered a LQ with an open stock in the back. It had slant dividers and a side ramp for the horse to ride up front. We moved to a typical LQ with mangers because we now trail ride more and don't have to haul carriages. The horses still load nicely as this trailer has a 60/40 door which gives them plenty of loading room. My 2 horse is a straight load and they ride just fine in it. I can swing the divider to the side for the large horse to load and then my Morgan just slips on in to the other side. The Morgan will load in the slant and stop to grab a bite of hay over the divider then turn and park himself sideways. He's such a character. Glad you are happy with your trailer!
Hating my new straight load!
