Rear unload trailers

LauraBR

LauraBR

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Are they a total nightmare or no big deal?

I'm looking for a LW trailer to tow just my horse with my volvo estate (just for the time being). The Bateson Derby seems to be the lightest but only rear unload... had ruled it out on that basis but chatting to people today who use rear unload I'm wondering if I am being too hasty???
 
I think it depends on how easy your horse is. We had to rear unload our TB this weekend - because of how we were asked to park but he is so placid he just did as he was told and came out easily.

Our pony - Welsh section D - would have kittens, panic and never want to get in a trailer again. She goes in fairly easily as it is but I have to wave the lunge line at her.
 
I don't mind rear unload as Tia is foot perfect to box and is very calm and unphased by it all and she knows the signals to back up which makes life a hell of alot easier. I wouldn't say they are the best to [un]load an unsettled horse as they can rush and when loading, some prefer to load into something they can get out of the other side but I certainly wouldn't rule them out!
x
 
Thanks both of you!

I don't think he would be bothered in the slightest as being asked to back up. But I'm not sure if he has ever been in a trailer so not sure how he will react. He is no bother whatsoever in a lorry but you never know.... front unload might help him accept it more readily????

*ponder*
 
I have a Bateson Derby - got it as I use my car to tow and it is a fantastic little trailer - so light you can easily move it by yourself to put it in a tight corner where you could not use your car.

I have no problem with the rear unload. I am normally at shows my myself and what I do is get Chancer on and leave him munching some nuts in one of those over the door feeders off the front bar. Go and put up the breach bar and then the ramp, then come round again and tie him up.

Unloading, he has been trained to know that I untie him, then go and take the ramp down - put the rope over his neck and then undo the breach bar. He has to wait until I go to the front and then tell him back. He comes out very slowly and in a straight line then turns when he is ready.

I think it all depends whether you have a steady sensible horse or a daft one. The other good thing about rear unload is they cannot rush out the front - I always used rear unload on my TB as she would do this if taken out th front but came out ok backwards.

One final thing about the Bateson - Chancer is 15 hands cob and fits fine in terms of height and length but is getting a little on the wide size with the partition in, only about 2" either side, and he is still growing. I am looking into either taking out the partition and putting a solid breach bar - as they do on the mare and foal version or seeing if I can get the partition to move over slightly to give him a few more inches - he is a sturdy chap.
 
Funny you mention this as i had to load my youngster at the weekend. I always have the front ramp down to let in as much light as possible and have never had a problem. For some reason my horse decided to rush past me and jump off the front ramp nearly knocking me flying.

Its made me think about keeping the front ramp up when loading so he cant go out the front!!! If i leave the front breast bar up he tends to come out backwards with my arms being pulled over the bar. Any ideas?
 
We have a ifor williams - which has a front unload
we have never used it in 2 rears!

my horses learn to back out even the youngsters, it teaches the manners too as i have seen to many people sent flying through the front door

Good luck in finding a trailer!!
 
I have never had a problem with a rear unload, I think it is just a question of teaching the horse what is expected of him.

Most trailers here seem to be rear unload, many with two rear doors and no ramp. The horses just step up and step back down, but that's what they are used to. I have looked at dozens of trailers and in many of them the partitions don't move either. Lorries are a rarity here, 35' trailers are commonplace!
 
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