Do you own a horse trailer? If not, do you sometimes use another person's horse trailer to transport your animals to the vet, to riding arenas, or to shows? If so, you will want to be sure the trailer is in top-notch condition before loading your horses or ponies for a trip. Although you may have to make discreet inquiries about a trailer that doesn't belong to you, it is still important to find out whether the trailer can safely accommodate your animals, and if not, planning ahead for choosing another means of conveyance.
First, check the hook-up to be sure it is stable and secure. Does it appear rusty or loose? If so, call the owner or driver's attention to this area and ask if it can be double-checked. While you're at it, see if the doors close snugly and can be bolted adequately to contain a horse that may become distrait in an enclosed space. Inspect the door latch and lock to ensure that it is strong and in good condition. Also, examine any windows in the trailer to see if they can open, or will be open, during the trip. Some horses seem to enjoy the fresh air, while others don't, so you will be the best judge of your horse's preference.
Then check the tires of the trailer to be sure they have the right amount of air. If they have too much, they can blow while in transit. If they contain too little air, they could easily go flat. Ask about taking along a spare tire and jack if these are not already included. Other emergency equipment should include jumper cables and standard roadside items in case of a breakdown.
Next, check the interior of the trailer. Is there fresh straw? Will the van be vented in some way, depending on the length of the trip, so the urinary ammonia odor won't build up to become a hazard? Are there crosstie hooks to help hold a horse securely? If a human will ride with one or more horses in the trailer, is there a seat of some kind? Will the animals have access to fresh water? Check to be sure the loading ramp has been stored on the vehicle if it is not built on as part of the door . If you are getting help in loading your horse, find out what the person does if an animal should balk. You will want to agree on tactics before they are needed rather than argue about them at the point of necessity. If you want to use a blindfold but the driver pulls out a whip, you may be at odds and delay the unloading task as well as possibly upset the horse.
Make sure the trailer is clean when you load your horse. Look for sharp edges due to protruding nails or rusted edges. Hopefully you will find none. Keep all of these things in mind when using your own trailer or conducting periodic maintenance.
* Steel or Aluminum: Both steel and aluminum trailers can be found in all shapes and sizes. Steel trailers are heavier, so if you are looking at a larger trailer you might want to veer away from steel. Aluminum has the additional advantage that it does not rust, so requires less repairs in the long run. Most used trailers will be made of steel, so be careful to look over the trailer very carefully to make sure there are no dangerously rusted areas. With a lower price tag steel trailers are the most common trailers on the road.
* Bumper Pull or Gooseneck: Bumper pull trailers can be towed by a wide range of vehicles. Heavy SUVs and vans can capably pull a 2 horse trailer with a bumper pull hitch. Goosenecks must be pulled with a pick-up truck. While gooseneck hitches can be removed, they take up a fair bit of space in the back of your truck bed and can make it difficult to ship other things in the back. On the other hand, goosenecks are safer and easier to pull once you get used to them.
* Slant Load, Straight Load or Stock: There are many interior designs for trailers. Slant loads have dividers that sandwich horses at a 45 degree angle. This is said to give the horses a better sense of stability than straight loads. Straight loads are usually forward facing trailers where the horses stand side by side. Some straight loads allow horses to be shipped facing rearward as well as frontward. Stock trailers are open concept, usually divided into two sections. Horses can stand in any way they are comfortable and can be shipped loose for long hauls. The right style of interior depends a great deal on your horses. Most trailers are straight loads, and most horses are comfortable with that. Slant loads can be great alternatives for horses who have troubles balancing in the trailer. Stock trailers are best for large horses or if you are shipping young or untrained animals.
* Step Up or Ramp Load: There are people who swear by each of these types of trailers, each of which have their own range of benefits. Ramp loads are generally good for horses with some loading experience and offer a safe way to get horses on and off the trailer. They also allow for loading on surfaces that would otherwise raise the floor too far above the ground level making a step quite large. Ramps can be very heavy and are not great for bad loaders. Step ups do not require the lifting of a heavy ramp. Horses generally step on without too much difficulty and since you can close the door behind them without delay they are great for horses who are bad shippers. Unloading off step ups can be scary for some horses. They may try to jump off and slip in the process.
* Tack Room: Some trailers have a built-in tack room. If you show a lot this can come in very handy, both to store your tack and to change into your show clothes. Others have smaller tack storage lockers.
Both Gary Wells & Phil Wiskell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Gary Wells has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Air Filters and Aging Problems. For more information about horse trailer safety, visit the .. Gary Wells's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.
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