[QUOTE=alw-sea;8584810]
Thank you so much for the suggestions! Super helpful! The slant vs straight decision is an interesting one - I have no experience at all with slant loads - they just weren’t around (at least in the hunter world) when I was growing up. Any opinions on which is better? I will haul by myself from time to time, but he’s pretty good so the loading-by-myself isn’t too intimidating with a straight load trailer.
Thanks again! I ordered the book, what a great recommendation.[/QUOTE]
:lol: Be careful what you ask for! Most people have VERY strong opinions on straight vs. slant. And they will tell you that you are downright wrong and stupid to not agree with whatever their opinion happens to be.
That being said - I can tell you that coming originally from the hunter jumper world of Ontario - I thought straight loads were the be-all end-all only safe option why in the hell would you ever buy anything else? BUT! Since moving to Alberta where you get a pretty solid mix of straight and slant - I can tell you I ended up buying a slant load. Why? Not because I think they are better than straights. But because my particular horse did not start out as an easy loader, and he was a hell of a lot happier in the slant load trailers our friends had than the straight load trailer we also tried at one point just to see how he’d take to it.
If you can - I’d see if you can borrow each type of trailer from a friend or acquaintance at the barn just to see if your horse has a preference. If not - then really its up to what FITS your horse height, length and width wise and what you like in terms of loading style.
Consider that if you’re buying a 2-horse slant - they don’t typically come with escape doors at all. Some 3 horse slants will have an escape door at the front stall, but not the second stall. So you would be having to bend/crawl out under the divider each time. Whereas many straight loads do have escape doors so you just walk your horse in - if they are good with standing you can then exit through the escape door, and put up the butt bar (if you’re on your own) or have someone else put up the butt bar for you if you have help.
With straight loads you get the option of manger or no manger. Some people like them. Some don’t. Usually the idea being that if the manger is in the way there’s no space for your horse to put their head down and cough to clear their lungs. Some people argue that slant loads don’t give enough space to do this either but again - it comes down to the size of your horse relative to the specific trailer. If the stalls in the slant load are long enough , and the rope/trailer tie has enough slack, then yes, your horse can get their head down to cough even in a slant. (and yes, my 16.3 big bodied warmblood does fit in my 2 horse slant load trailer (7’6 height).
People will go on and on about the forces acting on each of the horses legs depending on straight load versus slant. And some people say "slant is ok for short trips but never long hauls because the one hind leg takes more pressure on the trip or whatever. Let’s be real - most people on this board probably know people who’ve taken their horses on long distance trips in both straight load and slant load and their horses have come off the trailer just fine, ready to rock and roll. There’s also probably lots of people with horror stories but honestly, if one style trailer was truly that awful - they’d never keep getting manufactured and sold.
In terms of other features to look for (regardless of loading style) - make sure there’s opportunity for good ventilation. Whether that’s windows that can open, slats if its a stock style, or roof vents - make sure your horse can get air flow!
Also - as someone mentioned above - the white interior does help make the trailer space look less like a dank dark cave and more large, open and inviting.
Rubber kick matting is great to protect your trailer and your horses legs. Also on the dividers if there can be some padding that can make things more comfortable for your horse.
I personally prefer all dividers between horse to be air flow or “jail bar” style. 1) it makes the trailer appear like a larger space for your horse and 2) it helps the air flow through the trailer more easily and 3) my horse likes to be able to see his travel companion.
So… have I been non-committal enough for you?
Really, as long as it fits your horse, you feel safe with the loading/unloading process, and the trailer is in good safe working condition, whatever arrangement the stalls are in, you will be just fine.
BTW, I totally agree with whoever said it above, if you don’t already have a tow vehicle then pick your trailer FIRST and then go select the appropriate tow vehicle for the weight/length of your trailer.
Good luck!
I’m kind of in the same boat - hauled lots but never owned my own.