We went looking at straight loads yesterday and we are confused what is the best setup in the front of the straight load. Th full manger with the feed tray on top with rubber on the front wall(this allows for storage underneath). The half manger with the feed tray and a solid about 8' brace or the padded chest strap. This seems to be common to Cimarron and Exiss. I question the strength of the chest strap. I know there is some concern with the manger with horses trying to climb on.
Posted 2011-02-19 11:30 PM (#130519 - in reply to #130518) Subject: RE: Straight Load Manger?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
We had a 2HBP ST load trailer that had full mangers, and forward bulkheads with chest padding. The exit was a space between the heads that lead to a forward central door. As you mentioned, the space under the mangers afforded some additional storage space.
Just as with a SL trailer, the mangers take up some of the length of the stalls. You have to have enough room to afford your horses some moving around space, in width and length. Because not all trailers are equally manufactured, it would be wise to physically inspect the various stalls' measurements, to ensure your horses will fit comfortably.
The chest straps vary in strength by their construction material and physical size. They can often match or exceed the strength of many standard chain variants. In many cases, the weakest part of the straps is the attaching hardware.
Unlike some owners, we fortunately never had a problem with a horse trying to climb onto the manger. There have been many discussions about the usage of mangers installed in slant load trailers, within this forum. The main concerns seem to include the necessary resulting stall lengths being adequate, and whether or not your horse will ride well with the manger. If those criteria are met, you may enjoy the additional storage the mangers afford. Also you will have a rigid bulkhead that can support the horse, if there is a case of emergency braking.
Posted 2011-02-20 2:30 PM (#130529 - in reply to #130518) Subject: RE: Straight Load Manger?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 333
I had a straight load manger, no DR, well, two of them actually-- an 78 WW step up and a 84 Trailet Park Ave. I loved the fact I could have tack storage but not the additional length of the DR. I now have a DR trailer which added at least 4 feet to the length of my non-DR trailers. I miss the Park Ave and the fact that most trailer dealers don't make the same type trailer any more. I didn't like the mangers with the walk through because it makes the head area smaller than my old Park Ave. And again, it would have the added length for the DR. So I just got a DR Straight Load trailer. I didn't see the need to walk through the DR to the horse area.
I never had problems with horses getting up into the mangers, so I can't speak to that.
I would have never sold the old Park Ave, would still have it, had I been able to repair inexpensively the rusting bottom. My Park Ave was from the era of bad steel in Trailets. And the whole frame was rusting away, making the trailer dangerous.
I donated the Park Ave to the vo-tech who hopefully fixed all that and made some money off their efforts!!!!
Posted 2011-02-20 8:11 PM (#130536 - in reply to #130518) Subject: RE: Straight Load Manger?
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
For hauling commercially, would rather not have mangers... and prefer chest straps and butt straps, in padding....anything Including hay bags etc) that a horse can conceivably get over or hung up on needs to be where it can be cut loose instantly with a knife. That is for hauling horses of unknown mannerisms that go up exponentially in value when you haul for someone else....
For our personal use, we like the mangers....more for the storage underneath than the feeding area....ours are most unlikely to climb up into a manger........and most anything a mule thoughtfully gets into...well, he can often thoughtfully extricate himself from unharmed....but that's a mule (old seasoned rope horses are a close second!) We have hauled across the country with the manger setup with no issues, with our own stock...but this is in trailers with plenty of room, mangers or no.
Posted 2011-02-20 8:24 PM (#130538 - in reply to #130536) Subject: RE: Straight Load Manger?
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
Having seen a horse I just sold get a foot in the manger and flip himself over the divider and upside down into the adjacent stall I'm not a fan of mangers. It's hard to find a straight load trailer long enough with mangers. At least without the manger the horse can lower his head to clear his nasal passages.
Posted 2011-02-21 12:56 PM (#130554 - in reply to #130518) Subject: RE: Straight Load Manger?
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
So sorry your horse blew up and had that wreck.....how terrible! Did they ever know what set it off? Most likely your nice sensible horse did not get in and then freak out upon "seeing the manger"! A lot of times a manger style trailer can be too small, chest to butt, and not tall enough, especially the older models, ...One reason we keep a straight 2 horse BP with mangers around is so that everyone learns to load and travel confidently in it, as you never know when it might be necessary for the future......you can't prepare them for everything, that is so true........hope your horse was alright..
Straight Load Manger?
