stock trailers

[TddWil@aol.com]

Does anyone out there that uses stock trailers (no partitions) have any hints on using them safely? Should the highest horse in the pecking order go in first or last? What about mixed loads of mares and geldings? I have a 12 foot by 6 foot wide stock trailer I use for 3 horses. Sometimes the one in the front wants to turn around backwards and it causes problems. I used to tie high to the tie rings but had a horse back up and raise his head to let another horse pass under his neck and kick the crap out of the horse in the back. I've been tying lower so I can tie shorter and they still can use the hay bag. I was wondering if blocking the front off at a slant (from the left front corner to about 3 feet back on the right side) would keep the horses in line better. It would also give me a storage space I could get to thru the side door. I could put in dividers, probably just a round steel bar at the right height, but I see alot of people doing fine with no partitions. 

                              Shelly in DE