Any Experience with 1 Horse Trailers?

[FjordBCRF]

Over the weekend my trailer had a failure on two of the three hinges on the ramp. Thankfully it was at home and happened when I was putting the ramp back up so no horses involved. Again thankfully, the neighbor does all sorts of welding/fabrication and took a look and will be fixing it for me, but thinks overall it would be worth it to sell when it’s back functional and get something in better condition.

I am definitely considering this. I get stressed hauling anyways and would (rationally or irrationally) feel better with something newer that I KNOW will be taken care of properly.

I came across this last night; didn’t realize that one horse trailers were a thing. Besides the obvious “one horse only”, any major downsides? I personally don’t like hauling others horses because of liability anyways.

2023 Shadow Trailers 64106W-1SL-BP Horse Trailer | Leonard Trailers |...

[endlessclimb]

Huh. I’ve never seen a one horse trailer of this type, how cute.

My concerns? It’s not that much more to get a 2 horse, and resale value. Plus, the word “no” stops that second horse from getting on the trailer, and you have a lot more room for supplies if you’re doing a weekend show or camping somewhere.

I have no structural or hauling concerns, I think the trailer looks like the horse is standing in a decent spot in relation to the axles. Shadow does not have a particularly good reputation, though.

[FjordBCRF]

Good consideration points. It’s worth noting especially if I purchase something new, I’ll have it for at least 20 years. To that point I’m not too concerned about resale. And I’m curious if they will become more popular!

It looks like they are made by others too, here’s a straight load version

https://equispirit.com/products/1-horse.htm

[FjordBCRF]

@endlessclimb What are the issues typically seen with Shadow?

[trubandloki]

That Shadow one horse slant has nothing in the way of a butt bar to keep the one horse in there with the door open. I am not sure I like that lack of feature.

I frequently truck friends places, the whole - while I am going I can take them too, so I can not imagine only having a one horse trailer. But if you are the type who always plans to do your horse things solo, I can see why having a one horse might be an advantage.

[endlessclimb]

That’s a cute layout too, but dang you better have a good loader LOL.

Shadow is just meh on a lot of stuff. Not enough or not strong enough hinges on the doors, poor welds, questionable design on some features. They also are known for not honoring warranty stuff.

That said, there are a bunch of people very happy with their Shadow trailers! I just didn’t like what I saw.

[endlessclimb]

For example, on the first trailer:

There’s a camlatch connection on the bumper, just begging to grab a leg. That’s a crappy idea.

There’s no rubber anywhere on the back of the trailer, so your horse gets to whack his shins on metal.

[endlessclimb]

Despite their strength, I personally hate cam latches on horse trailers. They make a perfect little cup to try and grab and deglove a horse’s shin. It also prevents fully protecting the bumper area with rubber.

[endlessclimb]

Should your horse slip and his hind legs go under the trailer a little while loading/unloading, look what’s waiting for him! (I’ll stop now, but these are the types of things I look at when looking at trailers. Like… are these designers horseman at all?)

[FjordBCRF]

@endlessclimb

dang you better have a good loader LOL.

My thought too, on both actually lol. My guy is prrrrretttty good, but both those types of designs might take a getting used to period.

[FjordBCRF]

Super helpful! This is why I posted. I learned a lot about trailers this last year, but it’s a drop in the bucket and I’d like to avoid any obvious potential issues.

I may very well end up doing a two horse aluminum stock type trailer. That was my thought before stumbling across the one horses. I’d like to try and stay under $15K but it’s also something I plan on having for a very long time so I’d kinda like something with at least a small tack room too.

[joiedevie99]

Some one-horse trailers can feel really narrow for the horse. A 2-horse allows you to swing the divider over and make a very wide, inviting space for a reluctant loader. I would never buy a 1-horse that was the width of a single stall in a 2-horse. If I went that route, I’d want something like the Brenderup 1-horse that is like 2/3 the width of a 2-horse, and has a big inviting window in front.

[saturnalian]

@trubandloki

I frequently truck friends places, the whole - while I am going I can take them too, so I can not imagine only having a one horse trailer.

I don’t mean to derail this topic but, as FjordBCRF mentioned - what’s the liability here? Do you have/should one get different insurance that covers something happening to someone else’s horse while you’re hauling it? (I use a collective “you” here!)
I personally love the idea of a 1 horse for the reasons OP listed as well: can’t be asked to haul someone else, but more importantly I at least feel like one of these is safer on the road compared to a 2 horse bumper pull. I’ve actually never really considered the liability implications from having a non-commercial shipper haul a horse.

[trubandloki]

@saturnalian

@trubandloki

I frequently truck friends places, the whole - while I am going I can take them too, so I can not imagine only having a one horse trailer.

I don’t mean to derail this topic but, as FjordBCRF mentioned - what’s the liability here? Do you have/should one get different insurance that covers something happening to someone else’s horse while you’re hauling it? (I use a collective “you” here!)
I personally love the idea of a 1 horse for the reasons OP listed as well: can’t be asked to haul someone else, but more importantly I at least feel like one of these is safer on the road compared to a 2 horse bumper pull. I’ve actually never really considered the liability implications from having a non-commercial shipper haul a horse.

I guess that is something you (general) need to talk to your insurance people about.

I do not charge anyone anything to truck them. Ever.

[outerbanks77]

Do you haul with a regular truck? I am SO much more comfortable hauling since switching to a gooseneck. Something smaller/lighter does not always translate to easier/more secure feeling to tow. If you really like the 1-horse idea, you might be able to get a small GN custom made with like a 10’ floor and tack on one side instead of a second horse stall. I absolutely love my Hawk and they will do custom trailers, so you might look into that, whether you go GN or BP.

[endlessclimb]

@saturnalian

I at least feel like one of these is safer on the road compared to a 2 horse bumper pull

Depending on the way the trailer is balanced, I’d actually guess that one of these is worse to haul/less safe/less comfy for the horse. Super short trailers are jerks with sway and backing, and the longer it is the easier it is to keep the weight balanced and pushing down on the tow vehicle.

JMO, as I’ve never hauled a one horse but have hauled lots and lots of different kinds and lengths of trailers.

[Heinz_57]

@trubandloki

That Shadow one horse slant has nothing in the way of a butt bar to keep the one horse in there with the door open. I am not sure I like that lack of feature.

That’s not really different than the back stall on any slant load, though? My 3H is an oddity, and there are actually spots to hook a chain or other ‘butt bar’ apparatus to on either wall (I don’t), but I’m pretty sure someone custom-ordered it as a 3H on a 4H deck. The stalls are excessively wide and there is about a mile of space between the last horse and the door.

I see one thing with this trailer that could be a sticky spot for a solo traveler - I don’t love the single rear door. Speaking from experience, you must be 100% certain that your horse is going to stand there loaded and tied while you get out and close that thing. It is also going to be unwieldly if you are parked on anything other than a level surface, either swinging all the way open or trying to shut on you while you load (again, I say from experience… ).

That said, it’s a cute little trailer and the horse space appears adequate for an average, not overly-long horse. Personally, trailers that short (deck length) give me anxiety - I am much happier with a longer and more stable deck.

[trubandloki]

@Heinz_57

That’s not really different than the back stall on any slant load, though?

I don’t know about everyone.
I had a 3 horse slant for awhile and it had a butt bar in the last stall.
I have a friend with a two horse slant it has a butt bar in the last stall.

The people I know with an open stock that they use as a slant the large back door has a man door access spot so they do not have to open the whole big door to get a human in there.

It kind of makes me twitchy after a long life of - do not open the back until you have unhooked the tie.

[fivestrideline]

My dream trailer for my One Horse self is a nice XW/XT stock combo 2-3 horse slant with a dressing room. Gooseneck, but realistically a BP (cause towing vehicles are $$$$$$ rn). A full door or a swing out/collapsible back tack.

A trailer like this won’t be much heavier than the 2H straight (or 1H seen here) versions, and you can take everything out for a bad loader or long trip box stall. I think the 1H versions aren’t particularly horse-friendly.

[FjordBCRF]

@outerbanks77

Do you haul with a regular truck?

Ive got a full size Toyota Tundra I haul with.

Regarding the shortness…my current trailer is pretty short and boy was that a learning curve to back up!! I finally am getting the hang of it.

My closest trailer dealership sells Hawks; I will prob go that route with a 2 horse/tack space and be set for the foreseeable future. I really didn’t want to spend that kind of money, but thinking about it long term makes sense to me anyways!