Posted 2013-02-25 5:11 PM (#150160) Subject: Hauling in a stock trailer
New User
Posts: 3
Location: North Branch, MN
OK, so I bought a gooseneck straight load/stock trailer to haul my daughters horse. I was told I could haul up to 4 horses which is what I would like to have the option to do. It has a center divider seperateing front from back. If I am only hauling only 1 horse, and she is tied with a quick release 2 foot line on the drivers side of trailer, is it OK that there is no center (left to right side) divider? In other words, she basicaly has a 7' x 8' space to move her backside around in. I have used it once so far and everthing went very well. A freind is telling me I need to add a divider.
Posted 2013-02-25 5:21 PM (#150163 - in reply to #150160) Subject: RE: Hauling in a stock trailer
New User
Posts: 3
Location: North Branch, MN
Thanks much for the feed back. I used to haul cattle out of Bryan, Texas back in the '80s. I remember that the Cowboys I worked with/around back then never used anything but a straight load.
Posted 2013-02-25 6:52 PM (#150165 - in reply to #150160) Subject: RE: Hauling in a stock trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430 Location: TN
No divider necessary. I have a stock trailer and usually just tie their head on the driver's side. I have seen people not tie them and just let them loose with just a halter, that is personal preference. Congratulations on your new trailer! Safe travels!
Posted 2013-02-25 7:54 PM (#150167 - in reply to #150160) Subject: RE: Hauling in a stock trailer
Veteran
Posts: 186
It all depends on the horse. Most every loose horse I ever hauled would stand with their but toward the front of the trailer, I wonder why we tie them with their head facing the front? I tie a horse if I want to keep the poop mess in one spot.
Posted 2013-02-25 8:57 PM (#150168 - in reply to #150160) Subject: RE: Hauling in a stock trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
If they do not have a divider on both sides of them to brace against, I prefer to haul them loose. I've seen a few get in trouble when tied and too much room on one side or the other. They loose their balance and go down, and can't get back up with their head tied.
Posted 2013-02-25 11:07 PM (#150175 - in reply to #150160) Subject: RE: Hauling in a stock trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
We bought a mare and foal in New Mexico. We hired a hauling company to deliver them to our home in PA. When they arrived in a large box van, the horses were in one large open stall, taking up all the available space. They were free to move about and face any direction they wanted. For such a long, straight through trip, they arrived in much better shape than we expected.
After we moved from NY to PA, we transported some horses in our straight load BP trailer. The trip was about nine hours, stopping only for a bathroom break and gas. The horses were very stiff when they were off loaded, and quite uncomfortable the next day. It took a couple of days before they moved more naturally.
We haven't taken a full day's trip since we have owned only SL trailers; the longest has been about seven hours. Those horses have been unloaded without any difficulties and were ready to use the next morning. Based on our experiences, an open or slant load stall has delivered the most comfortable travels for our animals.
Posted 2013-02-28 9:31 PM (#150263 - in reply to #150160) Subject: RE: Hauling in a stock trailer
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: Alberta Canada
I have a 16 ft gooseneck stock/horse trailer. I usually haul 2 hd, and never tie, nor close the center gate. The horses always turn around with butts facing front of trailer, as this seem to be the more natural way for horses to travel. I often trailer 4 hd in same trailer, all go in loose, never tie and over a long haul 3 or the 4 will most likely be facing toward back of trailer upon destination. When I only tow one horse, depending on length of trip and roads,if longer trip, will put horse in front compartment so they have something to lean back against during poorer road conditions. When I trail to go check cattle, short haul of 6 miles just run them in loose, and they have the whole trailer to themselves. I trailer 3 or 4 times per week checking cattle so horse gets pretty used to balancing on rough roads.
Hauling in a stock trailer
