Are slant load trailers better than straight load trailers?

Question

My best friend keeps telling me not to look for a straight load trailer because her dads friend said its bad for them to be standing straight against the door and its bad for their feet. Please help me decide!

Answer 1

I know some horses like it better, but it depends on your horse.

Answer 2

I don't know.   I have been thinking about  buying a horse trailer, but I haven't because I wasn't sure which one to buy.

I have heard that the slant horse trailers are better, from just about everyone I have talked to.  So, that is a good question!  Thanks!

Answer 3

I hate them.   You have to unload horse #2 and #3 to get #1 off.  The angle they're slanted at isn't even the angle a horse natually chooses if he's left free in a trailer.   There's no way it could be bad on their feet... not sure what he means about that.

I use a stock trailer (open) and a Brenderup (2 horse straight load).  I haul frequently.  Never had an injury, legs swelling, lameness, etc from hauling.

Answer 4

Always owned straight load, never fell for the slant sales job. I don't have any info to back up my feelings, other than it has worked for me for years.

Answer 5

I prefer a slant load to a straight load trailer but straight loaders are not bad for horses. It is all about your preference

Answer 6

I guess it is a matter of opinion. But I believe that slant load trailers are better because they can keep their balance easier. If they are straight loaded they are either on the forehand if you stop hard for any reason, or on the hindquarters. If you are slant loaded they can lean agaist the partition if you stop quick, or accelerate quicker then usual. Having their weight distributed on their front and back takes a lot of stress off their joints.

Answer 7

my horse wouldn't load without a fight and three or more to put her in.  at a new barn they invited me to go with them and i said she wouldn't load easy.  he walked her right in (stock) and tied her at an angle.  she rode like she had been doing it all her life.

Answer 8

I hate straight loads. never had any luck with them. Horses dont like them because there so boxed in and what if you have more than two horses?

HATE straight loads.

Answer 9

Slant loads are better for the horse in many ways.  One its easier on the horses body if you need to stop or accelate fast.  Also, when the horses are in a stright load trailer they dont get the fresh air like a slanted trailer does if yo open the windoe.(make sure that there is bars/and or screen on the window so the head does not stick out of the trailer as that is dangerous.) Also, on slanted load trailers it is easier if you have like one horse to distrubiate the weight easier.  On Strght load trailers if a heaver horse is on the right side nd the left side is light the right side is going to have more of a drag to it. Over all slant load trailer are nicer, But stright load trailer can work too.  It more on the prefence of the peron driving and the owner of the horse.

Answer 10

here's my opinion.

i've had both straight loads and slant loads. i prefer the slant load because they're nicer, for one, and for two, because it's easier to load a horse into. Straight load trailers run the risk of the horse jumping into the manger[where the hay goes], or sitting on the butt bar and bending or breaking it. they also kinda scare me, if the horse breaks the butt-bar, then he may sit on the door and do damage there as well. Slant load trailers are cushioned all around, and the divider is positioned just right so that the horse cant slip under it. i've seen one too many horses freak in a straight load and end up going backwards under the butt-bar. Slant loads mostly also have large dressing rooms, and a removable/collapsable tack compartment. rather convenient if you ask me. Straight load trailers also tend to scare some horses, they arent exactly welcoming to walk into. Slant loads, on the other hand, have the front escape door that when opened, it seems as if the trailer is meerly a tunnel of some sort, as the horse can see right out the escape door. more comforting to the horse, and easier to maintain.

hope this helps a bit =]

Answer 11

It is more of a personal choice. We have a 2 horse straight load and it works for my Quarters but I can not put my bigger horses in it. I have to use my stock trailer for the bigger ones. Straight load are only found in 2 horse or very large horse trailers. So if you need room for 3+ you wll have to get a slant. I have never heard of feet issues from using a slant load. The horses can also turn around instead of backing out. There is more of an area for the horse to see so it is not as scary for them to learn to load in it. I would pefer a bakwards load if I could afford one. I have horses that will turn around in the stock trailer and ride backwards if they are not tied.

Answer 12

Horses are able to balance themselves better in a slant load than in a straight load trailer.

Answer 13

The info I read on the subject was that given the preference, most horses prefer riding backwards in a trailer.  It allows them to keep their balance better.

I've done all three with mine - and they have seemed happiest loaded backwards.

Answer 14

I have read on this a lot! I have read both sides. I have read that the slant load the horses are more tired. The straight load is better for bigger horses. I have both. My sis has a few BIG horses they do not for in my slant horse trailer. I like the straight load better.  Everyone is going to tell you what they think, here are a few sites to read & make your own mind up. But I also can say the few horse haulers I have used have all had straight load. Hope this helps some!

http://www.majon.com/articles/Pets_and_S...

http://www.bigrstore.com/trailers/horse_...

http://www.sundowneroftexas.com/shopping...

****edit*****

Straight load does come in more than 2 !! FYI

Answer 15

If you want to get extremely picky, a stock trailer would be best with the horse facing backwards...horses tend to like to face the rear of a trailer.

BUT since we're talking about straight vs. slant load, I prefer slant.  My friend has a newer straight load and they've had no problems with it, but it's just personal preference that I like slants better.  I don't know how a straight load trailer could be any worse for their feet than a slant load....it makes no difference.  I can see that slant loads would probably help them balance better and give them a better air flow, which would lead to the trip being less tiring for the horse if they don't have to work so hard to balance themselves.

Also with the straight load, at least with the newer ones, they are not leaning against the door.  There is a butt bar that goes up before you shut the door.  

And this is extra, but whichever loading style you choose..go with aluminum! It won't rust and it's easier to maintain.

Answer 16

from my experience, slant loads are just easier to load into. some horses dont like to load into a straight, they look more "inclosed" i dont know any other technicallities of it though. i have never heard anything about either being bad for them more so than the other. it is a personal preference. i would definetly recomend a slant if you have 3 or more horses though.

Answer 17

I have never heard that is bad for their feet....

I prefer a slant load just because I can put more horses in the trailer and it gives me a bigger living quarters.

It all depends on preference and really what you can afford.

I have found some of the best well made trailers are 4 star... I love them!

Answer 18

I have a straight load trailer, and i've never had any problems.  And they dont stand against the door..there is a big steel butt-bar that keeps them from even touching the door....

Ask your trailer sales-man....he'll know.

Answer 19

Ive owned both. The new straight loads arent as bad as the old ones. The old ones were horribly small and many horses do not like getting into them. The newer ones are much bigger. I prefer the slant loads because you can fit more. I have a "three" horse with no dividers so I can fit four horses. Also I think it is easier on a horse if you have to slam on your breaks. They don't go head first into the manger of the trailer. They take more impact from the side. I think it is all just prefrence. I also think they can balance better. I think of it like riding a skate board or something. It is much easier to ride it sideways then straight on. (maybe thats a bad example, but I think you'll know what I mean) Like the slant loads that load horses with their heads to the right of the trailer. I think its all just marketing also. Something new, so people want it. It has good reasons for it also. They take most of the impact to the rear end when slaming on breaks. I dunno.

Answer 20

I will always use a (modern day) straight load...here's why:

you can fit a larger horse

you don't have to remove one horse to get to another (this is imperative, especially in an emergency - not something that people like to think about but what if horse #1 went down in your trailer, I wouldn't want to have to remove other horses to get to him...)

you can get current straight loads to fit more than 2 horses...

by pulling with a slant load your horse is constantly bearing weight on his left hind, and right front legs as you brake and accelerate (picture this) - if you are on longer trips, this can cause hind end and shoulder stiffness on your horse and lameness...a straightload allows your horse to spread his legs evenly and shift his weight front to back, left and right more evenly...

you can definitely fit more horses and stuff in a smaller amount of space with a slant load - but that isn't my main goal for trailering...

I have tried to weigh the overall comfort of my horses as my main objective...I have three horses and a two horse straight load - and sometimes have to make two trips.

I've just weighed what was important to me, and have decided to trailer straight...

Answer 21

I think slant load is better for balance too. Think of it as if you were standing in the middle isle of a bus. Is it easier to balance standing sideways or facing the front? I'm not sure it's bad for their feet, but it does make a smoother ride for the horse.

Answer 22

The horses are fine reguardless of the type of trailer, be it straight or slant, but I would get a stock trailer if you had the choice. It's good for pigs, cows, sheep, goats, etc.. and I've hauled horses on them before, but it's not really something you want to haul your horse on. The real guestion is what your looking for. If you have one or two horses, or one horse and you want to take a friend with you, then you could get a two horse tag along that's going to be a straight load. If you go on extended trips, such as overnight, then you might want to look into a slant load goose-neck that has a sleeper cabin.

Answer 23

Well over my 30+ years Ive hauled in everything and there are advantages and disadvantages to both. I have moved to a center-load trailer. There are like a semi but my 4 horse is load in the middle and 2 face towards the truck and 2 towards the rear with a huge space inbetween. They have better suspension and I think give a more natural ride, the stalls are huge and the ceiling is very high, again just like a semi horse trailer.

http://www.equispirit.com/products/4hors...

Answer 24

We have a Featherlite gooseneck that we ordered open on the inside.  We never tie our horses in the trailer.  If they are saddled, we just loop the lead rope around the saddle horn, if they are not saddled, we loop the lead rope around their neck & back to the halter, they are free to move around if they want.

A month or so ago we hauled 3 of ours 3000 or so miles, stopping regularly & letting them out of the trailer & we never had a single problem with any of them.  I think it is personal preference.

Answer 25

As you can see from all the opinions there isn't just one design that sticks out above all the rest...my horses prefer a diagonal...easier for them to load and unload and they arrive in better shape at their destination...haven't been fighting a forward and backward motion for many miles.  I pulled a straight load for years and won't waste my time on them again.  I had more loading problems with them than I've ever encountered with a diagonal load.

We pull that trailer with a Ford F350.  And the trailer is a Trails West double axle.

Answer 26

I prefer slant load trailers and I have owned both types.  The slant load is much easier to load your horse into.  The horse rides better and is not so fatigued from a long ride.

Answer 27

KEY ISSUE: Be sure your truck is heavy-duty enough to pull the extra weight of a slant load! I was poised to buy a 2 horse slant load and was shocked to find it weighed 6,000 lbs empty. When loaded down, my half-ton chevy wouldn't pull it well without over stressing it. I passed, and instead bought a 2 horse straight load in order to not have to upgrade the truck.  I removed the partition in the center so that my small horse can turn herself around and ride backward. From my research, this is much better on the horse physiologically and horses that are allowed to ride this way don't mind trailering nearly as much.  The other excellent option is a stock trailer, this would have been my top pick, but I couldn't find one small enough.  Good luck, and try Craig's List, I found tons of good, used, local options there.

Answer 28

slant loads are good but exspensive, side by side trailers great but a strait load one behind the other are UNSAFE you need 2 axels or it will flip!