Posted 2010-09-14 12:16 AM (#124854) Subject: Straight load vs. slant load
New User
Posts: 2
I am looking for info on straight load vs. slant load. Which is more preferred and why. Just started looking for a trailer and I am not sure which way to go with the info that I have. I need more pros and cons. Thank you!
Posted 2010-09-14 8:15 AM (#124859 - in reply to #124854) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Originally written by Lily on 2010-09-14 12:16 AM
I am looking for info on straight load vs. slant load. Which is more preferred and why. Just started looking for a trailer and I am not sure which way to go with the info that I have. I need more pros and cons. Thank you!
In my opinion one of the advantages of a slant load trailer that isn't mentioned much is the ease of loading and unloading from the perspective of the handler. I'm not getting any younger and the thought of trying to jump out the escape door or having to load the horse from the other side of a straight load trailer doesn't sound fun to me. The ability to easily walk on and off and to get by the horse when unloading and loading is certainly a big advantage to me.
Posted 2010-09-14 8:23 AM (#124860 - in reply to #124854) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
In the membership of this forum, you'll find proponents of each. Even more confusing is that some members own more than one trailer, offering both types of loading. Some members haul with an open box, allowing the horses free orientation.
This is a common question and a search will find several previous postings. I don't think you'll find an outright winner.
Posted 2010-09-14 1:36 PM (#124869 - in reply to #124854) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
The only problem I've noticed is that; with a straight load, the horses back straight out. With a slant load, they have to turn their butts to make it around the corner if the back tack is up.. Maybe my mares are stupid, or maybe it's a training issue, or maybe they just need to get used to it since they haven't ridden in the slant load that much.... I LOVE having a front and back tack that a slant load will give you, but straightload stalls are usually bigger, on average, unless you buy a very wide slant load.
Posted 2010-09-14 1:43 PM (#124870 - in reply to #124854) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Our horses walk straight out of our straight load..... Two horse straight load with a front side ramp, we really like the way this works. We have walked them up into the side ramp, turned their butts toward the rear and backed them into the stall, just to see if it could be done.... Haven't tried hauling them backwards yet, but we will.... !!
We had a 6 horse head to head and the horses seemed to ride the best up from with their butts toward the front. Riding backwards with head facing the rear.
Posted 2010-09-14 10:42 PM (#124876 - in reply to #124854) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
New User
Posts: 2
Thank you to everyone for your information! Any information is well taken and appreciated. I understand when it comes right down to it it is ones personal preference. However, the trailer world is new to me and I want to make the best educated purchase as I can. Does anyone see a greater risk of injuries from a slant load or a straight load or a stock trailer? Is there greater risk with one trailer over another when it comes to sudden stops or with horses just being horses? I do appreciate any input or sharing of incidents anyone has had. Thanks again!
Posted 2010-09-14 11:00 PM (#124878 - in reply to #124854) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
If you haul commercially, One major advantage of a multi-horse straight load trailer is that you don't have to unload everyone else to get the first horse you loaded out if it also happens to be the first horse you are delivering on a multi-stop route...
Posted 2010-09-15 9:43 AM (#124887 - in reply to #124876) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
IMO- it doesn't matter if your trailer is straight,slant or backwards...horses can injure themselves in any situation. When your stopping hard,turning to fast or if the horses simply do something stupid ( which they are known for) there is always a risk involved. However- I have hauled many,many miles and never had a horse injured while hauling and I have had bad situation occur. I don't tie them, I don't wrap legs. Sometimes its just dumb luck when shit hits the fan.
Posted 2010-09-15 10:12 AM (#124892 - in reply to #124854) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Farmbabe hit it right on the head. There are just way too many variables to state that a straight load is better than a slant load or stock or upside down or right side up or whatever... I have seen many accidents with livestock loaded. Some ended up okay, some not so okay. You can minimize your risks, but I don't think you can find enough information out there to say one way is better than another in an accident. You are going to get a lot of opinions, because we all have one, but none of us can say without a doubt that our opinion is absolutely correct all the time.
Posted 2010-09-15 12:49 PM (#124898 - in reply to #124854) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: Ohio
FWIW: I own both. 2 3H slants and a 2H straight. Me and my horses prefer the slant loads. They're safer for my wife and I in my opinion. The horses have been in and out of our straight load hundreds of times, still look at it sideways and get the 'nervous poops' before going in. No issues at all with the slant. I think it may have to do a little with more open space.
Posted 2010-09-17 7:25 PM (#124977 - in reply to #124854) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Stanardsville, VA
I dont think Ill ever purchase a slant load. I just dont like the fact the the first horse is essentially trapped. If you need to get them out in a hurry, you have to unload the whole trailer. Its straight loads for me. But again my opinion is just that an opinion.
Posted 2010-09-17 7:44 PM (#124978 - in reply to #124854) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430 Location: TN
I have had both and prefer a slant load. My horses can either back out or turn around and come off forward (except for the horse in the last slant). I would never own a slant load without an escape door at the first horse. I have had more issues with horses loading badly onto the straight load and not wanting to back off because they could not turn slightly to see.
Like Farmbabe, I haul long distances without wrapping legs and have never had an issue with the slant. It seemed as though my horses stepped on themselves more in the straight load trying to balance.
Posted 2010-09-20 2:41 PM (#125060 - in reply to #124854) Subject: RE: Straight load vs. slant load
Veteran
Posts: 229
I've done, two horse straight, slant and open stock. Not being a horse I'm not altogether not positive, but I think that the horse's ride the least stress free in the slant. With an open stock, all balance and support is from the horse. The dividers in the slant really help on support in the mountains and curves. I've got to slow down with the open stock in the mountains.
Straight load vs. slant load
