Choosing your horse float: Straight load vs angle load

Since the introduction of the angle load into Australia twenty or so years ago, debate has raged over which horse float provides a better experience for both the horses and their owners. For those who are currently shopping for quality horse floats for sale, let’s have a look at the differences between the two.

Throughout the 20th century, the Australian horse float market was limited to straight load designs. But in the 90s the angle load was introduced into Australia. A product of the US, it sold itself as a more comfortable option for the animal. But while this has been the presumption of many horse owners for decades now, there’s never been any real evidence to back up this claim.

In the year 2000, a study on horse transport was conducted in Kentucky, USA. It shipped horses in an open trailer, allowing them to choose the direction that they faced. Interestingly, the horses spent a collective 65% of the time pointing directly backwards, although this number was made up of certain horses spending 100% facing that way, and other horses spending 100% of their time facing forward. It was very much a horse-by-horse thing.

Interestingly, not one horse chose to stand on a slant.

Apart from Mr. Ed, it can be hard to get a straight answer out of a horse when it comes to his or her preferences. But in reality, there seems to be very little difference in the comfort of the animal in an angle or straight load float. If you were truly on the fence as to which to buy, and couldn’t be swayed by the space, price or functionality differences, a straight load may be the better option. This style of trailer best mimics the horses natural galloping and cantering direction.

You’ll also find that the majority of the weight will be on one side of an angle load float, but more evenly spread on a straight load. This can result in an angle load’s tyres wearing slightly quicker, and it being a little less stable.