I have narrowed down my trailer choices to: aluminum goose-neck, either 20' or 24'. I will be hauling at most 4 horses, with one of these a 16' TB. Also I will be using this trailer to periodically haul cattle and/or cow-calf pairs between farms or to sale barns, etc.

I hadn't considered a horse trailer since I need the stock moved sometimes, but I'm a bit concerned about room for the TB and overall head room for all horses. Most stock trailers seem to be 6'6" and horse are 7'. Will the former be OK for horses?

Next question: How do I position 4 horses in a stock trailer? Parallel? Keep the divider open or shut?

Last question: which trailer is easier to navigate - 20' or 24'?

Thanks much!

welcome, and yes 6'6" is considered low for horses.  although im sure ive seen more than one manufacturer with a 7' stock trailer, i would try hard to get one.

as for how to tie 4 horses, how well do they get along?  if they dont mind each other and trailer well, i personally would tie them on a slant starting at the front. as for the divider with the 24' you could likely close it after 2 and put the other 2 in the back, it all depends on the horses/trailer.

technically the 20' will need less space to manuver, i guess that could be called "easier". i suspect the extra 4' would be worth any extra trouble though.

Thank you very much for your insight. As I suspected, the 7' heighth is more desirable. sigh.

My small herd definitely has a hierarchy. Any suggestions as to where to place the top dog? In the back where he is less likely to use his back end on the others, or in the front where he can't use his teeth? Should they all wear leg wraps in the stock trailer?

As for the leg wrap question that is up to you. Some people don't wrap or put protective boots on their horses. Me, I do. I use polo wraps with bell boots, mostly for protection, some for support. Just piece of mind for me, because you never know. I have seen cuts and scrapes or worse. My horse usually hauls by himself, so no need to worry about another horse clipping him, but there is always the chance of a sudden stop or accident and him getting hurt in the trailer.

As for the brute in your bunch, you may want to put him in the last stall. There he can't kick anyone per se, and depending on what type of divider there is between him and the next horse, he shouldn't be able to bite.

We haul in a stock trailer all the time for cattle ranching work...  Up to 6 horses, no leg wraps, and they are saddled and tied in on a slant.  These are trained working horses, no problems ever with the setup.  If we are hauling a colt to pack salt on, he's tied beside a nice steady older horse.

Have not had any problems with head room - my #1300 mustang (15.2hh+)  greatly prefers the open stock trailer which bangs and rattles to my nice tall quiet enclosed horse trailer. ???

YMMV (your milage may vary).

Happy Trails,

Michelle

I haven't made the final deal yet, but it looks like the winner will be a 24' aluminum Chapparel stock with 7'.

Thanks for all the great advice. I might become a regular the more I trailer!

One more question looms for me: what about wrapping legs? For a short 4 mile trip is it too much of a pain?

Wasn't it Featherlight that did the bubble wraped horse campaign? 

That cracked me up!

Hey, we just got back from a trail ride trip to Black Hills. Hauled 8 in a 20' Duralite(Mfg in Clark,SD - all aluminum and tough - cheap$). Hauled them slant load head to left. They did all right going out but had some trouble comming home. The problems we've had with hauling horses in a stock trailer are: 1) Horse works itself loose and goes over or under another horse = cuts and bruises + mad horses. 2) Tails hit the back wall just right and rubs tail off/raw. 3) I hate the way starts and stops jerk the horses around and throw them into each other. Dividers solve this. 4) In the event you have to panic stop - you know it's gonna happen sooner or later - you slam everyone into the front! I don't like this. 5) Horses stomping around cutting up a nieghbor - we've wrecked alot of shipping boots, wraps work better - I like Professionals Choice SMBII's. I'll never make another long haul with a stock trailer. We've had injuries even on 20 mile hauls. Hauls under 20 miles probably OK to use a stock trailer. If I needed both I'd strongly recomend a stock trailer with removeable dividers. Duralite will build anything you want and not charge you an arm and a leg for it.

Hope this helps!