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Blessed 
   
Location: Here | Pros Cons Ages? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316
| Ramp. Will never go back to purchasing a trailer without one. So so much easier on all horses regardless of their age with backing out or stepping in! |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | I like a full width rear ramp behind full height rear doors. I had a ramp with dutch doors above it and never liked it. Current trailer doesn't have a ramp. Ramps are much easier with mares and foals, but you have to allow yourself room to put it down. Also, lifting it gets heavy. |
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Blessed
Location: Here | Tatum2 - 2015-07-21 10:12 AM Ramp. Will never go back to purchasing a trailer without one. So so much easier on all horses regardless of their age with backing out or stepping in!
Even with it bouncing under a baby's feet when they step on it? |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | you should check out the Easy Lift Ramp that 4-Star does.... my 7 year old can lift it with no problem. |
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 Swiffer PIcker Upper
Posts: 4015
Location: Four Corners Colorado | TwistedK - 2015-07-21 9:13 AM I like a full width rear ramp behind full height rear doors. I had a ramp with dutch doors above it and never liked it. Current trailer doesn't have a ramp. Ramps are much easier with mares and foals, but you have to allow yourself room to put it down. Also, lifting it gets heavy.
That is the configuration I prefer! I will never have another horse trailer without one. I do however still teach my horses to load and unload in a step up just because.
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 Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | I prefer no ramp. |
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Blessed
Location: Here | total performance - 2015-07-21 10:21 AM I prefer no ramp.
Whew... Me too I have no trouble getting horses to step up But that Thunking noise and bounce of a ramp, mine don't like |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | My new trailer doesn't have a ramp....and when I get my pennies saved back up, I will add one. I loved my ramp, yes, even with babies. I think it lessens a horse's anxiety about backing out once they get used to it. Plus there is no danger of a foot sliding underneath the trailer when they step out, or if you have to unload on concrete. I miss my ramp! |
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 Veteran
Posts: 275
| Our current trailer is our first one with a ramp. I love it! Ours flips up behind full doors and is very light and easy. I like the extra protection if we were rear ended, the horses like it and I can finally reach the top saddle rack!
Only con is when I just want to grab something fast out of the rear tack, but it's not bad. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | Ramps are the shiz! My trailer has a ramp under two dutch doors - which isn't my favorite, but I love the ramp. I'll never own another horse trailer without one. My horses will still load/unload onto a step-up because they semi-regularly ride in our stock trailer, so they stay nice and versatile. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 557
Location: Kansas and loving it | TwistedK - 2015-07-21 10:13 AM
I like a full width rear ramp behind full height rear doors. I had a ramp with dutch doors above it and never liked it. Current trailer doesn't have a ramp. Ramps are much easier with mares and foals, but you have to allow yourself room to put it down. Also, lifting it gets heavy.
I think ramps are dependent upon your own likes. I love mine, but I am short and stubby so being able to walk in with my horse into the trailer is wonderful. P.S. Twisted K , I have that trailer with the top dutch doors and love it! |
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 The Color Specialist
Posts: 7530
Location: Washington. (The DRY side.) | I prefer no ramp. |
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 Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | I love our ramp. So much easier on the horses, most off all my old mare, to get in and out. I just step on it right before them, and there is no bouncing.
Also, I can reach the top saddle rack in my tackroom now... lol... I'm short...
We have the double doors, with a full size ramp that folds up behind it. No problem lifting it by myself.
I won't go without anymore. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 156
Location: Cypress, Texas | no ramp, ive seen way to many accidents. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | RhinestoneCowgirl(: - 2015-07-21 11:14 AM
no ramp, ive seen way to many accidents.
How so? Just curious. I've never used a ramp before. My horses load/unload well from a step up but if they preferred the ramp I'd be down to get one. |
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Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | SG. - 2015-07-21 10:22 AM total performance - 2015-07-21 10:21 AM I prefer no ramp. Whew... Me too I have no trouble getting horses to step up But that Thunking noise and bounce of a ramp, mine don't like
Mine now 2 yr old when she was a yearling a friend of ours was over and I was going to do some trailer loading lessons. His trailer has a ramp and she wanted no part of that scary thing. Load her in our 6 horse step up and she will load everytime. |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Ramp. I had one for a long time, then had a step up for a long time. And that last trailer had blocked axles, so it was a BIG step. I went back to a ramp 2 years ago and will never be without it again. It's easier on all of them, but especially the oldies.
It actually saved my horse's life right after I got it. He couldn't pick up one of his front legs because of a severe shoulder abscess that had become a systemic infection (we thought at first he had pigeon fever but it was apparently from a bite or something), he had to crab walk sideways to move, and there was no way to get him into the step up. I had just bought this trailer with the ramp, and it was hard for him to load, even with it.
The only thing I would change is to put the rear tack door on the side so I wouldn't have to put the ramp down to get to it. I love it for the horses tho. And it has good springs on it, so it's easy to lift. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 629
| No ramp here |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | I've had both... I prefer a step up |
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 Expert
Posts: 2258
| We bought a cimarron with a full width ramp two years ago and I love it. I have had no problems getting anyone to load on it. I loaded all my babies last year and they just walked right on. I will put a ramp on anything new I get. |
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Sparklin Cowgirl
Posts: 4379
| We have a ramp than I LOVED and one I hated. The ramp that was on our Featherlight was terrible. Always too steep and the material that was on it was slick when even slightly wet. The ramp on our 2 horse Hawk trailer was awesome. We don't have a ramp now and I don't miss it. |
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 Last Comedian Standing
Posts: 10919
Location: South Texas | Yes to ramps for hauling mares with colts, rodeo horses and track horses! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
Location: Up and over to the right | No ramp - ever see a horse break a shoulder slipping on a ramp? It's not pretty…
There are pros and cons to both - my 2 horse has one (only for hauling super locally and other horses) but my 3 horse is a step-up.
So many 'fancy' English people think it's barbaric to have a step-up but I find it much safer, and I don't have to worry about room for parking the big rig or having a ramp be on uneven ground. |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | ChasingCans04 - 2015-07-21 5:31 PM No ramp - ever see a horse break a shoulder slipping on a ramp? It's not pretty… There are pros and cons to both - my 2 horse has one (only for hauling super locally and other horses) but my 3 horse is a step-up. So many 'fancy' English people think it's barbaric to have a step-up but I find it much safer, and I don't have to worry about room for parking the big rig or having a ramp be on uneven ground.
what does any kind of riding have to do with it? lol..
fancy english ? lol I think all riding have their likes and dislikes..  |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-07-21 9:18 AM
RhinestoneCowgirl(: - 2015-07-21 11:14 AM
no ramp, ive seen way to many accidents.
How so? Just curious. I've never used a ramp before. My horses load/unload well from a step up but if they preferred the ramp I'd be down to get one.
I have seen way too many accidents with both a ramp AND no ramp...but I like a ramp now because I had a horse that injured himself and physically could not step up in the trailer but we needed to transport him. Needless to say we ended up backing onto a high spot and making a bridge for the horse. I also had a friend with a gelding who had degenerative tendons in back and he would not get out of a step-up. So she always had to use my trailer and turn him around and walk him down the ramp. I love the ease of a step-up, though. |
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Location: midwest mama | I much prefer a full-width ramp (not the half width one).
I have seen too many horses hang a stifle ligament backing out of a step up.
And too many feet slipping under the trailer.
Scares the beejeezus out of me. |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | I have a stock with no ramp and LQ with a ramp. prefer the ramp. horse also prefers the ramp. wish my stock had one |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
Location: Up and over to the right | Because I grew up as a 'fancy' English rider and I wouldn't stick a $50k+ horse in a step up way back when… |
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I Am a Snake Killer
Posts: 1927
Location: Golden Gulf Coast of Texas | Sold my trailer with the ramp and dearly miss it as do my horses. No problems loading or unloading but have had colts tear up back legs on step up trailers and for years watching horses back off step ups it always looked like it was uncomfortable. Even more so now that most living quarter trailers have the axles blocked! |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | I miss the ramp on the Pete Zanetti like a meth w&hore misses her fix....  |
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 Ms. Poutability
Posts: 2362
Location: In my own world | SG. - 2015-07-21 10:22 AM total performance - 2015-07-21 10:21 AM I prefer no ramp. Whew... Me too I have no trouble getting horses to step up But that Thunking noise and bounce of a ramp, mine don't like
I have a new 4 star with a full ramp. It does not bounce at all. It is an EZ lift and have no problems lifting it myself. I am fine with no ramp. However my new trailer is a LQ with blocked axels. It sits 18 inches off the ground. My horses would not like making that step and I would be worried they would get a leg under the trailer |
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 Making the post season
Posts: 7288
Location: your guess is as good as mine | Ramp. Have never had any trouble loading or unloading - would only have a full-width thought...not the half-width one. Never had any trouble with a step-up training horses to get in, but have had to leave a couple on the trailer with the door open because they wouldn't get out (they did eventually). Have also had a couple panic & pin me in the trailer because they were stepping to back out & their foot slid off the floor onto the ground. Personally I'll always try to have a ramp...I feel it's easier on the horses, especially since I tend to keep them until their final day - and I KNOW it's much easier on me & my short legs lolol.
So far every one I've had has been appropriately terrified of the ramp...so much so that when I unload one the others are usually fighting to get INTO the trailer - while standing on the ramp lol.  |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | ChasingCans04 - 2015-07-21 5:58 PM Because I grew up as a 'fancy' English rider and I wouldn't stick a $50k+ horse in a step up way back when…
I was kind of laughing when I posted that.  |
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 Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | Ramp |
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Blessed
Location: Here | livinonlove&horses - 2015-07-21 6:18 PM SG. - 2015-07-21 10:22 AM total performance - 2015-07-21 10:21 AM I prefer no ramp. Whew... Me too I have no trouble getting horses to step up But that Thunking noise and bounce of a ramp, mine don't like
Thanks. I can understand that. I will say that blocked axles I agree ramps are a must. But current trailer isn't blocked and just normal even for short me to step up in. We have been debating the ramp thing here and I dang sure don't like the bouncy ones |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | SG. - 2015-07-21 10:11 AM
Pros Cons Ages?
Love love our full width ramp. It was the first thing we put on when we got our LQ. We don't have youngsters, but all of ours (ages 6 to 29) took right to it, even the ones who had never been on a ramp. I will never be without one if I can help it! Ours doesn't bounce and we take them up and down slowly to try to avoid any slips. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| No ramp here. I think it would be a pain to step around all the time while tacking and I'd hate to have to lower it just to get in the tack compartment. JMO. PS, my axels are blocked and it IS quite a step up but if I can jump up there and I am SHORT, a horse sure ought to be able to.
Edited by Griz 2015-07-22 5:21 AM
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Swiffer PIcker Upper
Posts: 4015
Location: Four Corners Colorado | Griz - 2015-07-22 4:19 AM No ramp here. I think it would be a pain to step around all the time while tacking and I'd hate to have to lower it just to get in the tack compartment. JMO. PS, my axels are blocked and it IS quite a step up but if I can jump up there and I am SHORT, a horse sure ought to be able to.
This is why I also prefer a mid-tack. |
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 Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | I was anti ramp most of my life until years ago Uncle Ed told us the hardest step a barrel horse ever takes is backing off a trailer without a ramp. And we prefer the full width ramp.
Then recently I heard of a well known trainer who required a buyer to get a ramp before she would sell them one of her best horses- and the girl did.
I have seen horses slip on ramps but I have seen far more horses slip stepping off. Especially on concrete or asphault.
As far as the bounce of the ramp- I prefer the spring load and babies could be just as conditioned to get accustomed to it as they can getting in. I personally think it is wise to teach them how to handle both types of trailers |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| I prefer no ramp. My horses have no problems with trailering in them, and if they do, they get over it. |
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 Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | I've had trouble loading horses with a ramp more so than no ramp. I suppose they would get used to it either way. I have a 3 horse and the only hole that can't turn around and step out is the last hole. I usually only haul one or two horses at a time so they all get to turn around to unload. |
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 Chairman of the BHW Armadillo Roast
Posts: 4390
Location: In the real world | I've had both ramp and no ramp - I prefer no ramp. |
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Ms. Poutability
Posts: 2362
Location: In my own world | SG. - 2015-07-21 9:34 PM
livinonlove&horses - 2015-07-21 6:18 PM SG. - 2015-07-21 10:22 AM total performance - 2015-07-21 10:21 AM I prefer no ramp. Whew... Me too I have no trouble getting horses to step up But that Thunking noise and bounce of a ramp, mine don't like
I have a little run around trailer that doesn't have blocked axels or anything fancy. No ramp in it and don't see a need for one. With the other trailer I think they do. And if I didn't have one I would need a dang step ladder to get out a saddle on the middle rack! So if it's short to the ground I agree and I have hauled foals, not brand new babies, in it too |
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 I'm Really Boring
Posts: 4505
| Ramp. Just had one installed on my Platinum as it's blocked so it's a big step up/down for the horses and I don't like them having that hard impact on their joints when they jump out onto concrete.
However, make sure you get a full ramp. The half ramps are dangerous.
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 Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | We have had both…..prefer NO ramp…..If you have a full ramp, you have to leave it down to be able to get into the saddle compartment. I have knocked my shin on the darn thing coming around the end of the trailer. You can’t tie a horse to the back to saddle because of the ramp. Additionally, I had a horse backing down the ramp and it was wet and his front feet slipped under him…….basically hit his nose on the floor of the trailer. |
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Ramp or no ramp