You may feel overwhelmed when it comes time to buy a trailer for your very own. There are many new horse trailers for sale that offer different designs and options, and there's a bewildering number of strongly-held opinions in the horse world. Since you have to start somewhere, begin by evaluating your needs and understanding what will keep your animals safe and comfortable while hauling.
Horses need enough space in a trailer stall to balance and move enough to flex their muscles. They also need the roof to be tall enough to allow them to move their heads and necks freely. Horses load more readily into trailers with lots of light, and they ride more comfortably when air circulates freely. They like windows that can be opened so they can see what's going on and smell the breeze.
The most important thing is safety. It's important to choose a manufacturer with a good track record in building sturdy trailers. Materials are usually steel and/or aluminum, used for strength, weight reduction, and weather resistance. Ramps can be both in the rear of the trailer, at the front, or on the side. You'll find information about all these things, as well as a lot of opinion. It's your responsibility to sift fact from assumption and misconception.
Owners also disagree on whether ramps are safer than step-up trailers. Some designs allow horses to step up when loading but walk down a front ramp when unloading. Many people like a front unloading ramp, since it means easier access to horses in case of an emergency. Rear ramps used to be heavy and hard to lift, but today most are equipped with springs to make this easy, even for one person.
Another assumption many people have is that aluminum is better than steel because it doesn't rust. However, manufacturers are now using galvanized steel and coated parts, which reduce the rust problem. Aluminum does not rust, but it does corrode. Even 'all-aluminum' units will have some steel components, since aluminum is not strong enough for all structural supports. 'Hybrids' use both steel and aluminum to get maximum strength and a lighter over-all weight.
Tag-along units attach to the rear of a truck or automobile. Those who do not want to convert a pick-up truck with a 'fifth wheel' (an attachment for a gooseneck) often prefer the rear hitch. Tag-alongs may sway and sometimes come unhitched, but only when not attached properly. Stabilizing bars can minimize swaying and make traveling safer.
You don't want to buy more trailer than you need. Smaller, shorter horses can travel comfortably with less width and height, while large animals like warmbloods might need the maximum legal width and a lot of headroom. Floors must be strong enough for the largest animal that will be transported. However, not everyone needs battleship-type construction.
Checking warranties and safety records is another way to narrow the choice. Remember that the company must be sound to exist long enough to stand behind its guarantees, and that customer reviews can tell you how well a company handles customer problems. Cost may be the deciding factor; however, high cost does not necessarily mean high quality, while a low one is not always the most cost effective.
Horses need enough space in a trailer stall to balance and move enough to flex their muscles. They also need the roof to be tall enough to allow them to move their heads and necks freely. Horses load more readily into trailers with lots of light, and they ride more comfortably when air circulates freely. They like windows that can be opened so they can see what's going on and smell the breeze.
The most important thing is safety. It's important to choose a manufacturer with a good track record in building sturdy trailers. Materials are usually steel and/or aluminum, used for strength, weight reduction, and weather resistance. Ramps can be both in the rear of the trailer, at the front, or on the side. You'll find information about all these things, as well as a lot of opinion. It's your responsibility to sift fact from assumption and misconception.
Owners also disagree on whether ramps are safer than step-up trailers. Some designs allow horses to step up when loading but walk down a front ramp when unloading. Many people like a front unloading ramp, since it means easier access to horses in case of an emergency. Rear ramps used to be heavy and hard to lift, but today most are equipped with springs to make this easy, even for one person.
Another assumption many people have is that aluminum is better than steel because it doesn't rust. However, manufacturers are now using galvanized steel and coated parts, which reduce the rust problem. Aluminum does not rust, but it does corrode. Even 'all-aluminum' units will have some steel components, since aluminum is not strong enough for all structural supports. 'Hybrids' use both steel and aluminum to get maximum strength and a lighter over-all weight.
Tag-along units attach to the rear of a truck or automobile. Those who do not want to convert a pick-up truck with a 'fifth wheel' (an attachment for a gooseneck) often prefer the rear hitch. Tag-alongs may sway and sometimes come unhitched, but only when not attached properly. Stabilizing bars can minimize swaying and make traveling safer.
You don't want to buy more trailer than you need. Smaller, shorter horses can travel comfortably with less width and height, while large animals like warmbloods might need the maximum legal width and a lot of headroom. Floors must be strong enough for the largest animal that will be transported. However, not everyone needs battleship-type construction.
Checking warranties and safety records is another way to narrow the choice. Remember that the company must be sound to exist long enough to stand behind its guarantees, and that customer reviews can tell you how well a company handles customer problems. Cost may be the deciding factor; however, high cost does not necessarily mean high quality, while a low one is not always the most cost effective.
