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.
One thing you need in a horse trailer is enough space for your horse or horses to stand and shift weight for balance and for comfort. There should be adequate head room to allow free movement of the neck and to prevent bumping the head when standing normally. There should be lots of light in the interior; horses don't like dark confinement. Air should circulate freely to keep the animals from becoming too warm during transit.
Safety of animals in transit is a major concern. You need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of materials; things that were true in the past may no longer be valid. Design is important, too. Some trailers are 'straight', so horses face forward when they are loaded. Others are slant-load. Owners disagree over which way is easier on horses. You must do your own research to weed out facts from mere opinions.
Never proceed on assumptions. You may have heard that step-up trailers are safer than ones with ramps. However, although many horses load into step-ups readily, unloading can be hazardous. For this reason, some designs have no rear ramp but a front unloading ramp. An unloading ramp is nice, anyway, since it means the horse does not need to back out of the trailer.
The fact that aluminum doesn't rust and is lightweight makes some think it superior to steel. However, it's strength is not sufficient for all structural parts. Modern manufacturers have developed ways to make steel more durable; they use galvanized steel and also coat structural parts to make them rust-proof. Many trailers now incorporate both metallic alloys, providing the benefits of both.
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.
Cost, warranties, and safety records should be considered. Remember that a higher cost does not necessarily mean a better choice, and a lower one does not always mean a bargain. A warranty is only as good as the company that makes it. Check customer reviews to find out if the manufacturer really stands behind its products. Also, a company that is in danger of going out of business may no longer be around when you have a problem.
One thing you need in a horse trailer is enough space for your horse or horses to stand and shift weight for balance and for comfort. There should be adequate head room to allow free movement of the neck and to prevent bumping the head when standing normally. There should be lots of light in the interior; horses don't like dark confinement. Air should circulate freely to keep the animals from becoming too warm during transit.
Safety of animals in transit is a major concern. You need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of materials; things that were true in the past may no longer be valid. Design is important, too. Some trailers are 'straight', so horses face forward when they are loaded. Others are slant-load. Owners disagree over which way is easier on horses. You must do your own research to weed out facts from mere opinions.
Never proceed on assumptions. You may have heard that step-up trailers are safer than ones with ramps. However, although many horses load into step-ups readily, unloading can be hazardous. For this reason, some designs have no rear ramp but a front unloading ramp. An unloading ramp is nice, anyway, since it means the horse does not need to back out of the trailer.
The fact that aluminum doesn't rust and is lightweight makes some think it superior to steel. However, it's strength is not sufficient for all structural parts. Modern manufacturers have developed ways to make steel more durable; they use galvanized steel and also coat structural parts to make them rust-proof. Many trailers now incorporate both metallic alloys, providing the benefits of both.
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.
Cost, warranties, and safety records should be considered. Remember that a higher cost does not necessarily mean a better choice, and a lower one does not always mean a bargain. A warranty is only as good as the company that makes it. Check customer reviews to find out if the manufacturer really stands behind its products. Also, a company that is in danger of going out of business may no longer be around when you have a problem.
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Find a summary of the benefits you get when you own a horse trailer and more information about new horse trailers for sale at http://www.lewistrailerranch.com now.
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