Horse trailers vary in style and construction. For the uninitiated, choosing the right one can become a confusing task. If you choose wrongly, you put the safety of yourself, your horse(s), and your vehicle at risk. A good place to start is with considering how you want to load and unload your horses.
Loading and Unloading
Livestock and other utility trailers are not the same as horse trailers. A livestock trailer can work sometimes, but if you're only moving horses, then you'll want something specifically designed for that purpose. There are two basic load types for horse trailers.
Straight load trailers – These trailers typically accommodate a handful of horses or less. They allow the horses to stand side by side. This type of trailer typically has an escape door near the front. You can walk your horse in, tie it off, then walk out of the escape door.
The main caveat to these types of trailers is that you have to back the horses out when you unload them. This can become a safety issue if your horse slips on slick surface. Your horse can also panic a little if it searches the ground behind it and doesn't like what it feels.
Adding a ramp can help with this. However, you have to make sure the ramp doesn't have slick footing and isn't too steep.
Slant load trailers – Slant load trailers allow you to load horses in and have them turn around while inside. Because of their design, you can fit more horses into a smaller space.
These types of trailers come in various configurations. In many of them, you will have to unload horses one by one to reach the horse you're trying to get to.
These are the two most basic types, but they can come in any number of configurations. You can even have them custom-made. It's also possible to have them modified to fit your needs.
Take Comfort Into Consideration
Beyond the loading and unloading, you will also want to make sure the trailer is comfortable for your horses. Remember your horses will stand in there while you travel across all kinds of terrain. You'll want a trailer with adequate vents, windows, and secure locks.
You'll also want trailers that have features that make the ride comfortable for your horses. These can include independent suspension at each wheel of the trailer.
In the end, you'll have to face a series of choices. But starting with how you want to load and unload your horses can heavily narrow those choices for you. Talk to a trailer retailer like Young Trailers to learn more about your options.
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