It’s Easier to Get Horses Loaded into Slant Load Trailers

One myth that has gained a lot of popularity amongst horse people is that horses tend to load easier into slant load horse trailers rather than straight load trailers. This half-truth has its origins in the 80s, when the very first slant load trailers were made. The whole purpose of a slant load trailer is to fit in more horses into a shorter trailer. If you wanted to haul four or more horses in a straight load trailer, the trailer would be extremely long. Horses also have a tendency to put themselves into a slant position while traveling in a trailer to avoid losing their balance. This led people to believe that this is the way horses preferred to ride.

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People began to notice how easily the horses loaded into the trailer and just assumed that the animals were enjoying their trailer and the trip they went on. It wasn’t long before slant load trailers took the horse world by storm and ended up becoming the trailer every horse lover needed to have.

While these trailers can be helpful, it’s important to have all the facts and take them into consideration before deciding on a trailer.

One of the reasons this story is a myth and not completely true has a lot to do with the type of horses that were being hauled the first time these trailers were used. The types of horses hauled in these trailers were typically shorter, smaller horses, so they fit easily into the trailer and handle the smaller space. Once this trend got started, owners of larger horses wanted to jump on the bandwagon as well and get these types of trailers. The only problem was these larger horses didn’t fit well inside of the cramped trailers. With no room to move, the horse cannot get itself into position to maintain its balance. This could lead to serious injury, both physically and mentally, to your animal.

There have also not been any studies done to prove that horses like to stand at a slant when being hauled. To base that kind of information on one observation doesn’t provide enough evidence to prove that this is necessarily the case with horses.

It’s important to remember that you can’t decide to go with one certain type of trailer because everyone else is using it. You have to remember that the whole purpose of a horse trailer is to get your beloved horses from one place to another safely and without rattling their nerves. The horse’s needs should be top priority and should never be neglected. The needs a horse has changes from horse to horse, which means you need to test some things out and see what your horse likes. Make sure that your trailer is made for your type of horse. This will keep your horse healthy and happy while you take him place to place.

Gooseneck Trailers are Safer than Bumper Pull Trailers

This is a myth that has just a little bit of truth to it. Bumper pull trailers are notorious for having dangerous trailer sway and instability. There have been lots of reported incidents of these particular trailers becoming unhitched and causing accidents and serious injuries to the horses they were carrying. What gives the gooseneck trailer a safety advantage is that you have to use a pick-up truck to hook the trailer up to. Gooseneck trailers are hooked up to the bed of the truck, and when done by a qualified installer, can be extremely safe.

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On the other hand, a lot can go wrong when attaching a bumper pull trailer to your vehicle. There are many different ways to attach this type of trailer, which leaves many different ways to make a mistake. One tip to make your bumper pull trailer a bit safer to use is to put weight distribution bars in the trailer to help balance out the weight. Some trailers, as long as they are attached properly and have the right weight distribution, can still be very safe. However, if you are planning on hauling more than two or three horses, a gooseneck trailer is highly recommended.

Step Up Rear Entry Ramps Are Better than Rear Ramps

There are a ton of different brands, types, and kinds of ramps available on the market. It’s safe to say that not all of these ramps are safe or worth the investment to use. If you are using a ramp that is slippery or difficult for your horse to maneuver, your horse may be reluctant to use it. This means it will be more difficult for you to get your horse to go up the ramp. A slippery ramp can also result in an injured horse if the animal was to slip and fall.

However, if you get a good solid, sturdy ramp, it will be much better and easier for your horse to get in and out of your trailer. One thing to keep in mind is that these ramps are heavy and will require more than one person to help move them. Also, ramps are more useful for getting the horse out of the trailer than in.

Another reason ramps are safer than step ups is because it is very common for horses to fall from a step up entrance ramp. These horses often become trapped and can be difficult to free without some type of injury. Some injuries may even go so far as to fatally harm your horse.

This is one of the most highly debated myths that exists in the world of horses and horse owners. The topic of safe entry and exiting from a trailer is extremely important and should be carefully considered when choosing a ramp. Keep in mind that it is important to keep your horse’s safety as the number one concern. There are a lot of myths out there, so you really should make sure to do the proper research before using equipment to find out the real deal on what is best to use for your horse trailer.