Whether you’re transporting horses to competitions, vet appointments, training facilities, or somewhere else, you need the right horse trailer to keep you and your horses safe. A quality trailer is durable and reduces stress for horses and handlers. These three tips for choosing the right horse trailer will help you select the ideal equipment for your animals.
Evaluate Size and Weight Capacity
Evaluate the trailer’s size and weight capacity to make sure it will comfortably accommodate your horses. A cramped trailer can lead to discomfort and stress, compromising your horses’ well-being during travel. The trailer’s interior height should be about 10 inches taller than the horses’ resting position, and each horse should have 3 inches of lateral space on both sides.
It’s important not to exceed the trailer’s weight capacity, as this can lead to unsafe towing conditions and potential damage to the trailer. Also, always check your towing vehicle’s capacity to ensure it can handle the combined weight of the trailer and horses.
Assess the Loading Position
The horse trailer’s loading position can affect the ease and safety of loading and unloading your horses. Straight load trailers require horses to load and stand facing forward. This also means that horses must back out to exit straight load trailers, as there is no room to turn them around. Straight load trailers with a walk-out door make loading safer.
Slant load trailers, on the other hand, position horses at an angle, potentially offering more space and comfort, particularly for long journeys. This style also makes better use of the trailer’s interior space, accommodating more horses if needed. The key to choosing the right horse trailer, whether slant load or straight load, is to consider your horses’ temperaments and your personal comfort with loading techniques.
Choose the Appropriate Hitch Type
The horse trailer’s hitch type affects its stability and control during transportation. A bumper pull hitch attaches to a ball mount located on the rear of a towing vehicle, making it easy to connect and disconnect. These hitches are typically compatible with a wide range of vehicles, including SUVs and trucks, due to their straightforward design and moderate weight capacity. Bumper pull hitches are especially convenient for short-distance travel, making them a popular choice for horse owners who frequently transport their horses locally.
A gooseneck hitch functions by attaching to a ball hitch located in the bed of a pickup truck, providing greater stability and a higher weight capacity than bumper pull hitches. They are primarily compatible with pickup trucks, as their design requires a bed-mounted hitch rather than a bumper-mounted one. The benefits of gooseneck hitches include increased stability, a higher weight capacity, and enhanced maneuverability, making them ideal for long-distance travel and transporting heavier loads.
Ensuring the safety and comfort of your horses during transport starts with selecting the right trailer. By considering factors such as size, weight capacity, loading position, and hitch type, you can find the best solution for your circumstances. At Frontier Trailers and Roping Supply, we offer a wide range of horse trailers for sale in Utah. Our experienced team is ready to assist you in choosing the ideal trailer to suit your horses’ physical needs and temperaments.