| Purchasing a horse trailer is an expensive | | | | most expensive of the two but results in a |
| investment, and before you buy you should | | | | much smoother and quieter ride.Leaf spring |
| ensure that you know exactly what you need. | | | | suspension uses several layers of metal |
| As with any large purchase, it's extremely | | | | springs bracketed together into a single |
| important to do some research before you | | | | unit. While usually cheaper, leaf spring |
| spend your money.The information below is | | | | suspensions don't last as long as rubber, and |
| designed to help you choose the right horse | | | | the inner-connectedness can cause wear and |
| trailer for your needs. Regardless of what | | | | tear as well as noise from the metal-on-metal |
| you're looking for, these tips will help you | | | | connections.3. FrameThe frame of a horse |
| find it more quickly and feel more confident | | | | trailer is generally made from tubular steel |
| that you're making a smart purchase.New or | | | | or aluminum. Check to see that the supports |
| Used?Assuming that you can find exactly what | | | | are placed the correct distance apart |
| you need in the used horse trailer market, | | | | (generally 16 or 24 inches) and that the |
| there's really no reason to buy a new one. If | | | | entire frame is strong enough to support what |
| you do decide to purchase a used trailer, | | | | you're hauling. The heavier your load is, the |
| make sure it's been well-maintained and that | | | | thicker the beams used in the frame should be |
| all necessary repairs are taken care of (or | | | | in order to hold together properly.4. Walls |
| knocked off the purchase price).The main | | | | and floorTry to choose a trailer with a |
| reason a person might consider buying a new | | | | plywood floor, because wood breathes more |
| trailer is out of fear of an unseen problem | | | | easily than aluminum and will provide a more |
| with a used unit. Avoid this by educating | | | | comfortable ride. The trailer's interior |
| yourself as much as possible about horse | | | | walls should have insulation that is at least |
| trailers before you begin to shop.Types of | | | | one inch thick. Check for wall studs and make |
| Horse TrailersHorse trailers come in three | | | | sure they're also at least one inch thick. |
| main types:Stock horse trailersare open as | | | | The thicker the studs, the better flexibility |
| opposed to enclosed, and usually have slatted | | | | the trailer will have. Make sure all floor |
| sides. Some horses prefer stock trailers | | | | and wall pieces are fastened properly, |
| because they don't feel closed up and they | | | | ideally with non-corroding aluminum fasteners |
| have a little more freedom of movement and | | | | and bolts.Your Horse's ComfortDon't forget to |
| position. A major benefit of a stock trailer | | | | consider the size of your horse or horses |
| is the fact that it can be used to haul other | | | | when looking for a trailer. Make sure that |
| things aside from horses. It is a basic | | | | the horse has enough room to spread all four |
| all-purpose trailer- although during rain or | | | | legs in all directions to help brace himself |
| snow the lack of cover can be a | | | | if he needs to. He should also be able to |
| problem.Slant-load horse trailersallow the | | | | raise his head and extend his neck fully |
| horses inside to ride at an angle, which can | | | | without hitting the ceiling of the trailer. |
| often make them more comfortable, | | | | Have measurements of your horse available |
| particularly during sharp stops or | | | | when shopping for a trailer.The horse trailer |
| accelerations. Slant load trailers, however, | | | | you purchase should also have adequate |
| can be uncomfortable for larger horses; the | | | | ventilation for any length of trip. Most |
| typical slant-load stall only has about eight | | | | enclosed trailers have slats or windows on |
| feet of useable space. Also, because the | | | | the sides as well as vents in the roof. This |
| horses will be using opposite sides of their | | | | is extremely important, as the inside of a |
| bodies to brace themselves depending on | | | | horse trailer is extremely susceptible to |
| whether the trailer is speeding up or slowing | | | | mold and dust.Make sure your trailer provides |
| down, a slant-load trailer can be very tiring | | | | enough light for the horse to feel |
| for them and could possibly even result in | | | | comfortable inside. A dark trailer will cause |
| unevenness of gait.Straight-load horse | | | | the horse to balk at entering, and may cause |
| trailersare the most commonly used. | | | | him to act out of fear during a long |
| Straight-load trailers allow the horses to | | | | trip.Finally, check for any other details |
| hold their weight evenly on all four legs and | | | | that might cause your horse injury. Windows |
| the spine; they can, however, cause problems | | | | should be recessed into the trailer's walls |
| when it comes to loading and unloading. Some | | | | to prevent sharp or protruding corners, and |
| horses are reluctant to walk into | | | | the walls and stalls should ideally be |
| straight-load trailers, and getting them to | | | | covered with rubber to keep the horse |
| back out can be a problem as well.The debate | | | | comfortable if he bumps or leans against |
| over what type of horse trailer is better is | | | | it.Horse Trailer Manufacturers When |
| a hot issue among trailer owners. In order to | | | | purchasing a horse trailer, it's wise to look |
| decide which one works best for you, you'll | | | | for a brand name that has been around for |
| have to carefully consider your personal | | | | several years and proved its worth on the |
| preferences and the needs of your horses. | | | | market. Spending a little extra for a horse |
| There is no one "right answer" in the debate | | | | trailer from a known manufacturer can be |
| between stock, slant or straight load | | | | worth the extra performance you'll get out of |
| trailers.Horse Trailer ConstructionThe | | | | the unit over the years. The following are a |
| construction of a horse trailer is extremely | | | | few well-known horse trailer |
| important when it comes to how well it will | | | | manufacturers.Horton has been producing |
| perform and how long it will last. Consider | | | | general-purpose haulers and vans for the last |
| the factors below before making a purchase.1. | | | | 30 years. They specialize in steel-framed, |
| MaterialSteel horse trailers have been around | | | | aluminum skin horse trailers with rubber |
| for the longest time, and are extremely | | | | torsion suspension systems.Exiss is the |
| common. They can, however, can be somewhat | | | | third-largest manufacturer of horse trailers |
| heavy, and they do require some maintenance | | | | in the world, and produces quality trailers |
| in the form of washing and waxing to prevent | | | | with extra details such as theft-deterring |
| corrosion, especially if you live in a salty | | | | latches and hinges, extra-wide loading doors, |
| climate. Because of the tendency of the steel | | | | and super-thick insulation and wall studs. |
| to break down if not maintained properly, | | | | Their trailers are made from all |
| steel horse trailers are not always the best | | | | aluminum.Sooner Trailers are known for |
| option. With proper care, of course, they can | | | | producing standard as well as custom-built |
| last for years.Steel-framed horse trailers | | | | horse trailers. They specialize in |
| are a good choice if corrosion is a problem | | | | all-aluminum trailers with patented folding |
| in your climate, or if you're not happy about | | | | troughs and tapered noses for efficient |
| the idea of maintaining the exterior of the | | | | towing.Kiefer Trailers make aluminum horse |
| trailer. Steel-framed trailers are usually | | | | trailers in straight load, slant load or box |
| made with an aluminum skin, which resists | | | | stall varieties. They build extra-large |
| corrosion. Only the skeleton of the unit is | | | | standard and custom trailers with patented |
| made from steel. Make sure the trailer you're | | | | leak-proof roofs.Hart Horse Trailers have |
| considering is properly designed with some | | | | been in business since 1968 and specialize in |
| type of barrier between the steel and | | | | customized details such as insulated roofs, |
| aluminum, as these two metals can cause | | | | interlocking floors and double-framed doors. |
| electric shocks if they are | | | | Their trailers operate with TORFLEX rubber |
| touching.Aluminumhorse trailers are usually | | | | ride torsion suspension systems.The Bottom |
| the most expensive, as they are lightweight | | | | Line |
| yet extremely durable. Aluminum is resistant | | | | |
| to corrosion, although the exterior may | | | | |
| eventually oxidize over time if exposed to | | | | |
| the elements. Aluminum trailers are typically | | | | Choosing a horse trailer doesn't have to be |
| about 15% lighter than comparable steel ones; | | | | intimidating. The key is to do plenty of |
| they also cost about 15% more. Aluminum is | | | | research and to know exactly what you need |
| generally considered the best choice.2. | | | | when you start shopping. The more you can |
| SuspensionGood suspension is essential in a | | | | educate yourself on the various factors of |
| horse trailer. It provides a smooth ride for | | | | horse trailers, the better equipped you'll be |
| the horses and prevents unnecessary wear and | | | | to deal with a decision when it comes time to |
| tear on the trailer caused by excessive | | | | buy.For a great place to start looking for a |
| jolting and bouncing. There are two main | | | | horse trailer, try the classifieds at This |
| types of suspension systems:Rubber torsion | | | | website offers high quality used trailers at |
| suspensions work independently, so that if | | | | bargain prices, and it's a great place to |
| one wheel hits a bump the motion is not | | | | find the perfect horse trailer for your |
| transferred to the others. This system is the | | | | specific needs. |