I’m looking at a gooseneck with small living quarters at the front. It is a straight load but the bottom part under the horses heads is closed off with outside access to saddle/tack storage. So the horses can’t lower their heads much or have their legs ahead since it is blocked off. How bad is this? Anyone haul like this? 

It would be just the size I’m looking for otherwise :( 

I had one like this for a couple of years! I never had any issues with it. The horses always loaded well, and we hauled 26 hour trips with this trailer for years (with a layover and breaks for gas). I always put water buckets in for them (made nice use of the platform under their heads)  =]

Back in the 70s and 80s I hauled thousands of miles with a two-horse straight load like this - my horses never had an issue.

Me, too. I always wrapped their legs, though. And used bell boots on all 4 feet for protection. 

I prefer a straightload but i do not like the tack areas under the mangers. JMO