Transporting animals requires careful planning and the right equipment. Choosing the correct type of trailer is essential to ensure your livestock or horses’ safety, comfort, and health during transit. This guide dives into three differences between cattle trailers and horse trailers to help you understand your options.
Dividers
Cattle trailers often have open floors, meaning they don’t have a divider. Some models include divider gates that create compartments to group livestock, preventing overcrowding. These gates often feature sliding panels, enabling the selective movement of animals from one section to another with ease.
Dividers in horse trailers come in various styles tailored to the specific needs of horses during travel. Head dividers and stud dividers are two common types. Head dividers prevent horses from biting each other. Full-length stud dividers keep entire stalls separate.
Dimensions
Size is one of the clearest differences between cattle trailers and horse trailers. Cattle trailers are smaller in height and width, and a large horse won’t fit into the typical cattle trailer. The cattle trailer’s compact design keeps the animals stable during travel. The reduced dimensions also make these trailers more efficient for transporting larger quantities of livestock at a time.
Horse trailers are taller and wider than cattle trailers. Horses require ample space to stand comfortably during transit without feeling cramped or uneasy. Ensuring the horses have enough space is particularly important as they need room to shift their weight and maintain their balance while on the move.
Closed vs. Open-Slatted Sides
Cattle trailers often feature open-slatted designs that prioritize ventilation over complete enclosure. The open-slatted design ensures fresh air can circulate, which is essential for large groups of animals traveling together. However, this open structure does leave cattle more exposed to external weather conditions during transit. Solid walls are ideal for colder climates.
Horse trailers are often fully enclosed, offering physical protection and climate control for the animals. Ventilation systems, including windows and vents, maintain airflow while shielding horses from harsh weather. This enclosed design also creates a calmer environment for horses to minimize stress during transit.
Cattle trailers focus on ventilation and durability, while horse trailers offer roomy, enclosed spaces to provide comfort and protection. At Frontier Trailers and Roping Supply, our selection of Logan coach trailers for sale in Utah makes transporting animals safer and easier. You’ll find the right model in our inventory whether you need a tough livestock hauler or a horse trailer with living quarters.