Horse Trailer Articles

A collection of articles about horse trailer selection, use, and purchase.

Choosing a Horse Trailer From the Horse's Point of View — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

Whether you are looking to buy a new horse trailer or a used one, it's easy to be influenced by fancy options and shiny construction materials. But, for a horse owner who wants to promote safe and stress free hauling for the horse, choosing a trailer from the horse's point of view is very important. Since many horse trailers are built to appeal to the human perspective, this may not be as easy as one may think.

Choosing a Tow Vehicle - It's All in the Numbers — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

Do you really need a full sized pick up truck to tow your horse trailer or will a sport utility vehicle or small truck do the job? There are so many trucks and SUV's in today's market that making a decision can be almost overwhelming, but if you know how to add up the numbers, your choices will quickly narrow.

Tips for Driving Safely with Your Horse Trailer — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

The foundation for safe trailering is a dependable and properly rated rig. Whenever you take your horses out on the road, whether for a short or a long trip, you are putting yourself and your horses at a certain amount of risk. Your combination doesn't have to be new, but it is very important that the trailer and vehicle are in good working condition and the tow vehicle is properly rated to tow the trailer and it's load.

Emergency First Aid Kit — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

The following items assembled into an emergency kit will help you handle most situations. These items are not only for use on the trailer, but are good to have around the barn. Discuss this list with your own veterinarian, he may have other suggestions that are appropriate for you and your situation...

How do I know what size trailer will best fit my horse? — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

Your questions answered in trailer types and sizes. Straight load, ramp, step up. Haul your horse loose or tie, etc...

Don't Go On the Road Without It! - Emergency List — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

Always have the horse trailer safety checklist with you whenever your travel. Store these items in the trailer so you always have them on board! Equine First aid kit with splint - Know how to use the items in the kit and do not use tranquilizers or other drugs unless you have been instructed by a veterinarian when and how they may be used. Use of tranquilizers in the wrong situation can cause death to your horse.

Purchasing a Horse Trailer — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

Before you go shopping for a horse trailer you should give some careful thought as to what your personal needs are, and equally important and often overlooked, those of your horse. This may seem obvious, but it's surprising how many people are influenced by fads, advertising, and just plain false information.

Tow Vehicles — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

Most horse owners are not really interested in being truck drivers. There are some who love to debate engine size and gear ratios, but most of us just want to hook up the trailer and take our horse somewhere else to ride. Unfortunately, because our pets happen to be very large, we horse people are forced into a position of having to make decisions about heavy equipment that "normal" people never even have to think about.

Debunking Trailer Myths and Half Truths — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

People talk and horse people talk more than most. Opinions are many and stories travel quickly throughout the horse world, sometimes opinions get elevated to truth without merit. Since most opinions have some basis in fact, it's difficult to know what is myth and what is truth. Usually the facts are somewhere in between. Opinions about horse trailers are especially subject to scrutiny because there is very little conclusive research or solid information. For someone who is looking to buy a horse trailer, it's important to know the facts.

How Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Affect Horse Trailers. — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

In 1986, Congress passed the Federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act (FCMVSA/86). This law requires each State to meet the same minimum standards for commercial driver licensing. The states may have more stringent regulations of their own, but they may not lessen the standards.

Important Horse Trailer Terms To Know — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

Curb Weight ,Gross Axle Weight (GAW), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), Gross Combined Vehicle Weight (GCVW) , Gross Combination Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR) , etc.

Tips on Driving Your Horse Trailer — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

The foundation of good driving habits is a safe and properly rated rig. Whenever you take your horses out on the road, whether for a short or a long trip, you are putting yourself and your horses at a certain amount of risk. Your combination doesn't have to be new, but it is very important that the trailer and vehicle are in good working condition and the tow vehicle is properly rated to tow the trailer and it's load.

Horse Trailer Safety Check and Yearly Service — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

Before the show season gets going full swing, now is a good time to do your horse trailer yearly safety check and service. If you aren't mechanical enough to do it yourself, a qualified professional can do all the work for you. If you are going to send it out for service you should know exactly what needs to be done so you can be sure that nothing gets overlooked. The local body shop or mechanic may not be familiar enough with horse trailers to be completely thorough unless you ask for specific tasks.

Aluminum vs. Steel Horse Trailers - Which is Best? — by sean — last modified 2006-10-21 03:33

Back in the late seventies and early eighties, Sooner, Featherlite, Four Star, and many other horse trailer manufacturers created and launched an all-aluminum trailer line. These aluminum trailers were designed as solutions to the problem that all steel horse trailers were known to have back then...they deteriorated fairly quickly from rust.