ANGLE FLOATS VS STRAIGHT LOADS
Float/Trailer searching can be a tedious process, especially when there are so many designs and styles available. We have collated a list of pros and cons of angle and straight loads to help you make the right decision!
Angle Floats
Pros
- You can fit more horses in an angle load without adding to the length and width of the float.
- Horses favour an angled float, as it increases their ability to balance.
Cons
- Many angle loads don’t have large tack spaces.
- Some horses may struggle to unload, especially if there is a tack box under their noses or at the last bay. Be sure to test that your horse can unload forwards and backwards if the need arises, and the bay is wide enough for them.
- In an emergency, it can be incredibly difficult to get to the first horse without unloading those in front of them. Be sure to always have a camera to monitor situations closely!
- Access to the horses at the front bays can be incredibly limited if they require water/feed at stops on a long journey, fold-down windows are a great way to solve this!
Straight Loads
Pros
- On most occasions, they are quite spacious, with wheel wells located on the outside and opportunity to have wider bays.
- There is ample access at the front to offer water and monitor them etc as needed, with most having at least one front access door.
- Ability to remove centre divider or angle it if you have a tricky floater.
- Space at the front for a large tack box, or living area.
- They can put their head down to drain their airways, and there is usually more headroom for them.
Cons
- In most cases, straight loads require horses to back out. This can be a difficult concept to grasp for some horses, especially younger ones.
- Some horses can find it harder to balance in a straight load as it is less natural, and some find it hard to adjust if they have only ever been trucked.