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Buying a Horse Trailer

Whether you want to show your horse or simply have access to a wider network of trails, you may be interested in buying a trailer for transporting your horse.  Having your own trailer is, of course, also preferable in emergency situations.  Here are some things to consider when buying a trailer.

  • Towing capacity.  Check your vehicle’s manual to ensure that it can actually pull a trailer and horse.  You’ll need to calculate the weight of the horses you’ll be carrying, combined with the weight of the trailer.  This should give you a rough idea of how heavy your load will be.
  • Know how much you want to spend.  Are you looking for a relatively simple, two horse trailer, or do you need something that has a tack room and even sleeping quarters for shows?   A small bumper-hitch trailer will be much less expensive than a larger, goose-neck trailer.
  • Buying used is a great option, but be aware of potential pitfalls.  In particular, you will need to ensure that the frames and flooring are sound and can support the weight of your horses.  The acidity in horses’ urine can cause the flooring in trailers to decompose and become unsafe.  Check other aspects of the trailer as well, including the tires and hinges on doors.  You might want to have an experienced horseperson or even mechanic with you to help look for defects.
  • What kind of hitch do you want?  Bumper hitch trailers are smaller trailers that attach directly to a hitch on your vehicle’s bumper.  Larger trailers will require either a fifth-wheel setup or a goose-neck that fits directly over the back of a pickup truck.  These types of trailers are generally smoother for the horse than a bumper-hitch.
  • Try to get a double-axle trailer.  These provide more support and are a smoother ride for your horse.
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How to Trailer Your Horse in a Hurry

When an emergency presents itself, you may find you and your horse unprepared for a trailer ride.  In this case, there are a couple of methods that can be used to force a horse into a trailer without causing pain. 

Sedatives may seem an easy answer, however these should only be a last resort as they make it difficult for the horse to maintain his equilibrium.  Instead, try gentle pushing.  If the horse is calm, two people can push his hindquarters to see if he will move forward.  If this doesn’t work, butt ropes may be effective.  In this case, two long lead ropes are passed around the horse’s hind end, with a person standing on both sides of the trailer.  As the handlers pull on the ropes, they tighten over the horse’s hindquarters and encourage him to step forward into the trailer.  If he spooks, the handlers can drop the ropes immediately so that he does not become tangled up. 

Be aware that some horses will kick when they are pushed into the trailer.  Also, they are likely to leap forward rather than to walk in slowly, so the handler at the front of the trailer should be prepared for this. 

Some horses will happily load into a trailer once one of their well-trained buddies calmly loads ahead of them.  This can be an effective method for horses that are closely bound to their herdmates, however it will likely only work when the horse is calm to begin with. 

Keeping all handlers calm, quiet and persistent is the key to preventing the horse from becoming agitated.  Once a horse panics, it can be difficult to bring him down to a point where he can calmly consider the trailer again.  Go as slowly as possible, and never hit or yell at your horse.

Filed Under: Horse Trailers Tagged With: Horse Safety, Horse Trailers

Getting Your Horse Acquainted with a Trailer

Being able to quietly and easily load into a trailer is an important skill that all horses should have.  Whether a natural disaster that requires evacuation or a medical emergency that means a trip to a veterinary hospital, your horse may be at risk if he cannot easily walk into a trailer. 

 It is important to never use pain or fear to threaten a horse into the trailer, as this will cause him to fight even harder upon the next occurrence.  The best option is to prepare your horse ahead of time by desensitizing him to the presence and potential scariness of the trailer. 

Park your trailer in a corral or riding ring, and ensure that it is secure.  Make the trailer a friendly place by feeding your horse his hay at the bottom edge of the trailer ramp.  As he gets comfortable, move the hay farther up the ramp until it is actually in the trailer.  Continue with this process until the horse actually has to enter the trailer in order to feed.  Be aware that this is a slow and gradual process that can take upwards of a month to show results.  However, the time you spend on this now will result in big payoffs down the road when he easily walks into the trailer with no fear.  You will want to continue this process as you see fit, so that he does not fall back into old habits. 

To keep the trailering experience positive, be sure to never rush or force him inside.  As the driver, always be conscious that you are pulling him behind you because many horses become frightened with sharp turns and sudden stops, which can result in future headaches.  With patience and practice, your horse’s trailering experience can be as easy as 1-2-3!

Filed Under: Horse Trailers Tagged With: Horse Care, Horse Safety, Horse Trailers