5 Things To Look For In A Horse Trailer
There are many trailers on the market designed specifically for horses, but in general haulers need a trailer that can provide safety and comfort for the animal and is strong enough to hold the horse and prevent escape with a rigid roof and non-slip floor for protection from injury. Adding bedding or rubber mats can make the horse more comfortable and reduce the stress on their joints. Horses should be able to stand in a natural position with enough space around them for head movement and good air circulation.
Here are five more important considerations when shopping for your next horse trailer.
Size
The first consideration is your horse. How many horses do you need to transport and how big are they? Also consider the size of your towing vehicle. Too much space and your horse could bang around and get injured. Too little space and the horse won’t be able to move as needed. Horse trailers come in a large range of sizes, but the most common examples hold between one and four horses. Usually horse trailers have a tack room with saddle racks and storage in either the nose or the rear of the trailer. Some trailers also have a dressing room where the rider can change clothes for events or even living space. The more amenities the trailer has, the larger it will be.
Construction
Most horse trailers on the market are constructed with steel or aluminum, though some components are sometimes made of zinc, stainless steel, fiberglass, or composites. The trailer floor is typically relatively low to enable horses to easily step up or down or has a rear and side ramp for loading. Hitches are usually either bumper pull (tag-along) or gooseneck style. Two-horse trailers typically range from about 11 to 16 feet (3.4 to 4.9 meters) in length for bumper-pull models, although units with a dressing room can exceed 20 ft (6.1 m). Gooseneck horse trailers range from approximately 18 to 24 ft (5.5 to 7.3 m) in length including their 7.5- to 8-ft (2.3 to 2.4-m) upper decks.
Orientation & Loading
There are two basic types of horse trailers: straight load and slant load. In straight-load trailers, the horses stand facing forward. In slant-load trailers, they are positioned at an angle to conserve space. Interior dividers keep the horses in place, often along with padded safety restraints. Straight-load trailers are sometimes equipped with a manger or feed bin mounted in front of the horses. Slant trailers make a better use of the floor space and some argue they provide a more natural position for the horse. Straight trailers provide quicker access to each horse and often have more legroom for larger horses. Many trailers also have escape doors on the side(s) through which the rider can safely exit after loading the horses.
Animal Comfort
Ventilation and temperature control are key to the well-being of your horses. Ensure fresh air can circulate through the trailer through adjustable vents or windows and that there is good insulation to regulate the temperature inside the trailer. The trailers’ suspension systems should smooth out the ride for your animals, often through the use of space-saving torsion axles and supplemental brake systems to maintain control if the tow vehicle has to slow down or stop provide extra safety.
Condition
Be sure to check the overall condition of the trailer, especially if purchasing a used trailer. Look for dents, evidence of leaks, rust, and loose or missing parts. It’s also a good idea to carefully check the tires so you can avoid having to invest in new ones right after “ponying up” for a trailer.
Find The Right Horse Trailer
Horse trailers come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations to meet any need. Some manufacturers, such as Bison, offer horse trailers with living quarters that make them ideal for owners who make frequent trips on show or rodeo circuits. Bison’s trailers come with and without slide-outs in either steel or aluminum construction with 7- or 8-ft (2.1- or 2.4-m) widths, with models for two, three, or four horses. Some manufacturers, such as Cimarron, also offer integrated hay pods.
UtilityTrailersToday.com offers new and used horse trailers for sale, including models from popular manufacturers such as Valley, Bison, and others.