step vs. ramp

[guest@endurance.net]

Angie McGhee rides2far@juno.com
I used to help support my habit by horse trading and have hauled LOTS of
different horses.  Their overwhelming favorite trailer was an extra tall
straight load step up.  Types of trailers show who you run with.  Go to
the TB crowd and look around. Nothing but ramp load walk throughs.  The
horses can jump 6 feet, but need a ramp to step up 8"...go figure. Hang
around the western folks and you won't find a ramp anywhere.  My friend
from Scotland was fascinated by my step up...apparently everything over
there has a ramp. (Which explains the TB people's obsession with
them...soooo European. >g<

I got my 7'3" tall trailer from a man who had a show Saddlebred that had
been hitting its head on the roof as it unloaded. He had ordered it extra
tall for that reason. Even though it had extra height it continued to hit
its head.  It was practically new but he decided he needed a ramp and I
got a great deal. I heard later that the ramp didn't help.  I've only
known one horse to get hurt sliding his rear legs up under the back. The
guy was trying to drag the horse in and it didn't have on shipping boots.
Loader error was to blame, not the trailer.  Newer ones have round bars
there rather than angle iron to protect against that.

I agree with the other posters about weight, hinges, etc.  The only time
I've ever wished I had a ramp for a horse was when one had tied up and had
trouble stepping out...in which case we just backed up to a bank.  Another
plus with doors rather than a ramp is that its easier to camp in if you're
low budget like me.  I open and close the back a lot.

Angie