I am selling my current 3 horse to get a brand new trailer but cant decide if i want a 2 horse or another 3 horse. I only own 2 horses and will mainly only haul 1 horse. The only other time i will haul 2 is if i go to the state park to ride on the trails with my mom or if i go to a show and my friend wants to go also and we take my trailer. So i really dont need a extra stall. And if i ever do i am getting the removable tack area so i can haul a extra horse up front if i need too. And i will be hauling my hay in the back of my truck as it has a cap on it and i rather have it back there then with my horses. So do you think a 2 horse slant will work for me? Its not like i will be staying overnight anywhere or on the road all the time. I will at the most drive 1 1/2hrs one way and still come back the same night or stay at my sisters.
Posted 2006-04-19 9:55 PM (#40697 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
Member
Posts: 26 Location: Outside Louisville, KY
Don't get a slant. They are uncomfortable for most full-size horses. Slant trailers were designed for bad drivers at t he expense of the horse. I have often turned down rides in slant trailers forthis reason. My horse only rides in striaght loads. -phillip
Posted 2006-04-19 11:01 PM (#40702 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 479 Location: central sierra nevada foothills
I've heard total opposite, but my mare has all you guys beatWhen we haul cattle and take the cattle gooseneck she rides butt to the nose of the gooseneck and head to the back. She loves it and does this her self.
Posted 2006-04-20 12:06 AM (#40706 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
Member
Posts: 26 Location: Outside Louisville, KY
To clarify for those who make sport of taking offence to things that don't apply to them;
I said slant loads were designed for those who can't drive (hmmm....let's see how we can stuff the horses in a shorter trailer to make it easier on the newbie driver), I didn't say that all people pulling slant loads are non-drivers. My aunt has a 6 horse slant which I enjoy using, but it is 7.5' wide on the inside. Allmost all slants are 6-6.5' wide inside which is just too narrow to put horses at an angle. Furthermore, slants make a horse put pressure on either their right front or left rear to compensate for accelleration or decelleration. That equals a worn out horse on long drives.
Best case is a rear facing straight load, next best is front facing straight load, and slant is last.
Posted 2006-04-20 5:26 AM (#40711 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
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Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
Friend has a Sooner bumber pull two horse.If needed and dividers folded back and if horses get along he can squeeze three(normal size Walking horses) in which he's done often.His front dressing area is large enough for most anything needed.
Posted 2006-04-20 8:58 AM (#40720 - in reply to #40706) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
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Posts: 9
Location: Ontario
Originally written by kentuckydiesel on 2006-04-20 1:06 AM
I said slant loads were designed for those who can't drive (hmmm....let's see how we can stuff the horses in a shorter trailer to make it easier on the newbie driver),
Actually it is to make a trailer more affordable, a 4 or 6 horse head to head wastes so much space it is unbeleivable. Loading on a head to head trailer is also not the best experience.
Originally written by kentuckydiesel on 2006-04-20 1:06 AM
I didn't say that all people pulling slant loads are non-drivers.
But you didn't say most of them are drivers....
Originally written by kentuckydiesel on 2006-04-20 1:06 AM
My aunt has a 6 horse slant which I enjoy using, but it is 7.5' wide on the inside. Allmost all slants are 6-6.5' wide inside which is just too narrow to put horses at an angle.
Almost all slants are 6-6.5" wide? Really, what research is this from? Most trailers made today are 8' wide outside. Have you ever thought that the angle of the slant can be changed to ensure there is enough room for each horse?
Originally written by kentuckydiesel on 2006-04-20 1:06 AM
Best case is a rear facing straight load, next best is front facing straight load, and slant is last.
I will agree with you there but that makes owning a trailer (especially with LQ) pretty impractical for most.
Posted 2006-04-20 10:00 AM (#40726 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
Regular
Posts: 62 Location: Western Wisconsin
Getting back to the original question :-)
This is a questions you will have to answer for yourself. You have experienced a 3 horse trailer (the one you're selling). (I am assuming we're talking about bumper pull trailers.) If this was going to be my "forever" trailer I would be buying a bigger one; you never know what changes life will bring and the room will certainly come in handy. However if buying/trading for a different trailer in a few years is an option, the smaller one would certainly make sense as it fulfills your current needs. You know how your horses haul & what will be most comfortable for them. Good luck with your decision!
Posted 2006-04-20 11:59 AM (#40730 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
Veteran
Posts: 247 Location: La Crosse, WI - God's Country
That's a hilarious response. The entire trailer industry has just been debunked for abusing horses!
...but I digress.
My thoughts on your decision - it's always nice to have room for one more than you plan on. Whether it's for camping gear, tack, or hay - the space can be useful. You should also balance how attractive a minimally small trailer would be - for example, a 2H with a small tack room would be nice and short for maneuverability and fuel economy.
Posted 2006-04-20 12:13 PM (#40732 - in reply to #40699) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by dwnsouth on 2006-04-19 11:11 PM
what gives with "dont haul a horse in a slant load"?????? I have heard they are better for the horses.
Did you hear that straight from the horse's mouth ?
Horses tell me that they dislike having their heads poked into a corner, riding along like naughty children in "time out". Having opposite way traffic whiz past their faces at the window all the time. They don't like taking all the braking on the right fore and the acceleration on the left hind either. Having another horse slightly behind and next to their left shoulder puts fear into them that they're going to get bitten on the neck any time soon.
They feel so packed in there, no spaces in front of their faces, it gets ripe and stinky in the summer.
Your horses may say something different to you, I can't argue with that.
(-:
I CAN and DO navigate a trailer that isn't incredibly space efficient.
The trailer is for the HORSES, its configuration is not a convenience or excuse for me to be inept at driving and say "I can't get this long trailer in there" {whine, wimper...} or to hop kerbs, take out gate posts, etc.
Posted 2006-04-20 1:48 PM (#40741 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
Member
Posts: 26 Location: NC
I have owned 4 horse straight load, 2 horse straight load, stock trailer, slant load trailers and the least favorite to me and my horses were the straight loads. Always seemed to be more cramped and confined. I have a 4 horse slant now and haul to a rodeo every weekend usually minimum of 4 hours away, and I cant say I have ever pulled up with a sore horse from riding in the slant load. I guess we all have our preferences.
Back to the original question:
I would always go with a little bigger trailer than you expect to use. If your like me you will get one then outgrow it, wheter you get married have kids or whatever causes your needs to change. I would consider a stock bp if I were you that way your horses can ride in any direction they want. Just look at the size and see what is comparable to your truck for pulling and stopping. My opinion is just one of many, hopefully you will find the perfect fit trailer for you and your horse.
Posted 2006-04-20 1:53 PM (#40743 - in reply to #40732) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
As long as the trailer fits the horse whats the problem? I have hauled in a straight, slant and stock with no problems. I've had horses not like straight loads, but love the slants. Probally because when they load it looks "open". I've also had horses that didn't like stock trailers but had no problems getting into a straight or slant. Too much wind maybe? In the stock I leave them loose and they always stand at a slant facing the rear.
I've never had a problem with the horses acting fearfull when the next horse was loaded in my slant. I tie and and don't allow the "loading" horse to put his head over the divider to possibly bite.
Just get what you like and make sure the stall isn't to short/narrow for your horse. Measure them and take that and a measuring tape with you when you look at new trailers. Measure each stall and don't rely on the dealer/sales person to tell you what the stall sizes are.
Posted 2006-04-20 6:33 PM (#40754 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
Regular
Posts: 90 Location: louisiana
Sorry Reg. Didnt mean to offend. Actually my horse(and two highly recomended vets) did tell me in my case because in a straight he was sore in the front(from putting too much on his front when I stop-he braces up a weird way). Vet says the slant lets them sit back slightly on their haunches as in a natural horse stop and doesnt put as much pressure on the front. I Hauled in a stock and he stands slanted so bought a slant where he braces up just like he is preparing to do a rollback or turn for a cow and we eliminated the problem. No more soreness. I was really just asking because I feel if it is something I have never heard before I would like to know the answer to be a more responsible owner and take the best care possible of my horses. Again sorry for the offense.
Posted 2006-04-20 6:36 PM (#40755 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
Regular
Posts: 90 Location: louisiana
Oh by the way, I made sure when I got my trailer, it is 8 foot wide, 7'6" tall and stalls are extra wide for the horses not to feel cramped or stuffed in as in the normal assembly line slant loads. As I said, the best most responsoble care I can give my children.
Posted 2006-04-21 8:17 AM (#40775 - in reply to #40755) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
Boy I can't beleive all this if a little pressure on his right front leg is hard on him riding in the trailer, my horse is in real trouble when we get to where we are going, hauling me (250 lbs. ) for 20 miles through the mountains. Mine is slant and 8 ft wide.
Posted 2006-04-21 11:42 AM (#40784 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
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Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
I ain't Skeered so here we go. My horses unlike Reg's don't talk, BBUUTT they must be from Missouri, they will show you something every now and then. I normally haul them in an 8' wide slant, but I have put them in a stock trailer to haul them over to a freinds house. I don't tie them in either trailer. If I haul them in the stock trailer they will always be facing to the rear. My wife who has followed me says they stand at an angle, facing backwards she thinks it's funny with them looking at her. So I have come to the conclusion 1.) They don't like the way I drive. 2.) They think I will let them walk out forwards(I Don't). 3.) They would rather travel facing backwards.
Posted 2006-04-21 12:30 PM (#40789 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 /facing the gate
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Posts: 3
My mare prefers to face the rear in a stock trailer also. She is also at a slant with her head towards the corner.
I wonder how a horse would prefer to stand when:
1. He is loaded via the side ramp. Will he stand facing the door/gate or will he ride backwards, or forwards straight or slanted?
2. He is Unloaded via a front beginners ramp. Will he prefer to stand straight forward facing the gate or will he prefer the other choices?
Every pasture we've ever had, the horses always congregate at the gate. It doesn't matter if it's 10 acres or a thousand acres.
Every stall we've ever had, the horse prefers to grab a bite of hay then go stick his head out the door to munch on it.
Is it a "door/gate" thang or is it a preferred way to ride?
Curious enough to hope that tests will soon sprout their wings.
UmaSan
Posted 2006-04-22 7:55 PM (#40827 - in reply to #40775) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by iCE CRM on 2006-04-21 9:17 AM
Boy I can't beleive all this if a little pressure on his right front leg is hard on him riding in the trailer, my horse is in real trouble when we get to where we are going, hauling me (250 lbs. ) for 20 miles through the mountains. Mine is slant and 8 ft wide.
It isn't about the amount of force, it is about repetitive stress.
Does your comment lead to the "20% of the horse's own weight" rule of thumb ?
Posted 2006-04-22 8:34 PM (#40828 - in reply to #40827) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
Well I try to anticapate stop and usually get 70 to 80 thousand on a set of brakes so I stop easy and the horse is hauled maybe 4 times a month. I don't see alot of stress. I've had 2 horses to die both were put down one at the age of 31 and the other 34. My horse is 16.3 and weighs 1267. but I usually figure 25% not 20%. We usually ride 1200 miles a year.
Posted 2006-04-23 4:55 AM (#40832 - in reply to #40696) Subject: RE: 2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
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Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I got a 3 horse slant. One stall for horse, one stall for a J&S show cart and one stall for hay, feed buckets and other crap. Got a water tank and generator, etc in the rear tack. Got a mid tack and seven foot dressing room. Maybe we need a six horse head to head so we can take a small boat an some four wheelers too. Just get what works for you, be sure to get more than you need and have enough truck to pull it and more than enough truck to stop it.
2 Or 3 Horse Cant Decide
When we haul cattle and take the cattle gooseneck she rides butt to the nose of the gooseneck and head to the back. She loves it and does this her self.
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