If you are a horse enthusiast traveling with your horses can be a common occurrence. Horse transportation isn't a simple thing, there are many things to conside. You could be ferrying your horse to a horse show or to a competition, or you can simply be taking the horse to the vet or farrier. If you want to carry your horse within reasonably short distances, a large bumper (ie., tagalong or pull) trailer or a gooseneck trailer are what most people recommend.
Which Trailer?
The bumper trailer attached to your pickup truck or SUV is less expensive, smaller and less complicated to hook up than a gooseneck trailer. The bumper trailer is also less likely to exceed government weight restrictions for non-commercial vehicles (which would require a special license).
The larger gooseneck trailer may be required for more than one or two horses. The gooseneck trailer is heavier and more stable than a bumper trailer, and is usually the choice of veteran horse movers. The larger trailer has room for more structures mounted onto the bed.
Image from Pegasus Finance
Using the Trailer.
- Make sure the trailer is safe and correctly hitched.
- Have the horse's medical and legal documents and be prepared for emergencies.
- Remember that horses are fundamentally claustrophobic so you have to work at making the trailer inviting using bedding and open doors and windows.
- Prepare your horse for the ride using a breakaway style halter, protective head bumper, leg wraps with shipping boots.
- You may want to use fly spray on hot days and you may want to blanket the horse.
- Open windows but keep screens down so the horse's head stays in the trailer.
- Lead the horse onto the trailer very calmly. Use the driver's side for a horse travelling alone.
- Secure the horse carefully. Latch all doors making sure the doors are secure.
- Never tie a horse in a trailer. It can make the impact of an accident worse if the trailer should overturn.
- Drive slowly, keeping below the speed limit.
East-West Arena Construction is the horse-friendly family owned company. As you care for your horses we can help. Please contact us.
