Trailering horse backwards in normal slant load?

[Carried_Away]

Anyone trailer their horses backwards in a normal slant (not set up as reverse slant) trailer? My horse has become increasingly unhappy facing forwards in my 3 horse slant (he is in the last stall which is the biggest), kicking up a storm even though he is eating and drinking. I have tried letting him have both the 2nd and 3rd sections for more room but he still leans against the back door and kicks. He does not appear anxious but has kicked the same amount in most other trailer configurations I’ve hauled him in (riding backwards in a 4H head to head, straight load and in other slant loads).

I think he may just want a bit more room and/or a different way to balance, which putting him in the opposite way in the middle section would allow. This way his head and neck could hang over the back end of the divider and I could tie his haynet to a rear window. I could lead him into the trailer normally, then turn him around and position so his butt is where his head would normally be. Thoughts?

[fivestrideline]

Have you taken all the dividers out and just let him be loose in the box? Do you have a camera? I’d do that - trailer him loose in the whole box and see what position he chooses. Then you can go from there.
To be honest I wouldn’t put him in backwards in a trailer not designed for it - I’d be a little worried he’d get something caught in the latch or get over the divider. Also not sure if it would throw off the balance of the trailer.

[candyappy]

If it is safe to have him haul that way ( can’t get hung up or hurt on something) I would. I have a 16 foot stock trailer and my horses always angle themselves to face the back. They seem to prefer it too.

[JB]

You’d want to check with the manufacturer. The risk is with his front-heavy self putting extra weight too far back in the trailer

[eightpondfarm]

@candyappy

I have a 16 foot stock trailer and my horses always angle themselves to face the back. They seem to prefer it too.

Same here. I trailer two at a time into my weekly lesson, have even had four in there once…all loose, and they always face the rear. Always. All of them, whether they are alone or together.

[wsmoak]

If you’re going to make a habit of this I’d see if your trailer manufacturer can sell you a divider that is suitable. Hawk has one that is just a rectangle of bars so it doesn’t matter which way the horse is facing. I’ve also seen one where it has the solid head divider on both ends with a v-shaped space in between.

[Carried_Away]

That is a good point, I will give them a call. I would think it wouldn’t make a difference since it’s a 3 horse trailer and he’d be in the 2nd slot and right over the axles, where normally I am hauling him in the 3rd slot with no other horses in it. It’s also a LQ so has a lot of weight in the front of the trailer already.

[Carried_Away]

I have tried it with giving him 2 slots and he was unhappy, I think he likes being able to lean on the divider for balance. I do have a camera and he is not moving around a lot, just eating/drinking and kicking

I will give the manufacturer a call to see what they advise. If I have to get a new trailer I may look into that as I want him to be happy!

[JB]

@Carried_Away

I would think it wouldn’t make a difference since it’s a 3 horse trailer and he’d be in the 2nd slot and right over the axles, where normally I am hauling him in the 3rd slot with no other horses in it.

ah, I missed that setup, and you’re right, it’s likely totally fine in that case.

[candyappy]

@eightpondfarm

Same here. I trailer two at a time into my weekly lesson, have even had four in there once…all loose, and they always face the rear. Always. All of them, whether they are alone or together.

I guess there is more to see looking out the back!

[eightpondfarm]

Sure …more to see. And i think it’s a whole lot easier for them to brace against slowdowns, turns etc on their fore. (and facing rear puts the biggest part of the turns and brakes on their fore. Facing forward would put that effort to their hind end)

[blob99]

Many new trailers are being designed for horses to face backwards because it’s been shown that most horses really do prefer to travel backwards when given the choice for balance reasons.

Sounds like in your set up you could either open up all the slants and create a small open box he could go backwards in or that you’d have enough room for him to be backwards as long as he’s not in the last slant.