| If you are considering buying a horse trailer, it is easy | | | | horses, but are often split into two large box stalls. |
| to feel overwhelmed by the wide selection available | | | | They allow the horses room to choose their own |
| on the market. From front facing to slant load to | | | | position as they travel. One disadvantage is that |
| stock trailers, everyone claims that their trailer is the | | | | there is no protection keeping horses from hurting |
| best and will be perfect for your needs. | | | | one another while in transit. |
| Before buying a trailer, you need to consider what | | | | A more recent innovation is the two + one style of |
| you need it for. Will you be showing a lot? Are you | | | | trailer. This type of trailer combines a two-horse |
| traveling long distances? Do you need a space to | | | | straight load with a one horse box stall in front. This |
| keep your tack? Then you need to consider what | | | | box stall is small, and can be used for tack and |
| types of horses you will be shipping. Are they large? | | | | equipment if you do not want to load a horse in it. |
| Small? Will you be shipping many horses, or only one | | | | Each style of trailer can be found in step up or ramp |
| or two? Are the horses good buddies, or are they | | | | load. Steps ups can be useful for difficult loaders as |
| likely to be strangers? All of these things and more | | | | there is not hollow-sounding ramp to travel on. |
| will make a difference as you select your trailer. | | | | Ramps are generally safer though, although steep |
| Horse trailers come in many loading styles. The | | | | ramps need to have side panels to keep horses from |
| traditional two-horse trailer is a rear-loading trailer | | | | stepping off the side by accident. |
| where both horses stand facing forward with a | | | | Some trailers come with built in tack rooms, and |
| partition of some sort between them. These trailers | | | | even changing rooms. While they add length, these |
| are practical for many horse owners, and are easy to | | | | can be very useful if you show a lot, or don't have |
| find. | | | | extra room in your towing vehicle. |
| Another common style is the head to head trailer. | | | | Finally, there are two primary types of hitch to |
| This usually has a side loading ramp, and the horses | | | | consider. Bumper pull hitches are the most common, |
| are set up so that half are facing forward while the | | | | and can be used with a wide range of vehicles. They |
| other half face backward. Sometimes there is room | | | | are great for smaller trailers, but not as secure for |
| to fit a small horse or pony in the middle. Generally | | | | the bigger ones. Horse trailers should never be |
| these are two to six-horse trailers. | | | | actually hooked onto a bumper - the hitch must be |
| Slant loads tend to need more length for less horses, | | | | properly installed onto the frame of the towing |
| but offer a position that makes traveling easier on | | | | vehicle. |
| the horses. The partitions can be rather snug, giving | | | | Gooseneck hitches are more secure and are perfect |
| the horses less wiggle room. Generally the waste | | | | for larger trailers. They also offer storage space in |
| space at the front of the trailer is made into storage | | | | the neck, which can be useful if your trailer does not |
| rooms, suitable for keeping your tack on the trip. The | | | | have a tack room. The problem with goosenecks is |
| average slant load trailer for three horses is about | | | | that you need a pick-up truck to pull them, and the |
| the same size as a straight load trailer for four | | | | hitch must be installed in the bed of your truck. |
| horses. | | | | While you can find fifth-wheel hitches on horse |
| Stock trailers do not have any dividers between the | | | | trailers, they are uncommon. |