What to Look for in Used Horse Trailers
Finding the right used horse trailers can be a daunting task, and one not easily accomplished without the proper research. The whole purpose of a horse trailer is to safely transport your horse from one location to another, whether it be a horse show or moving to a new location. It’s important that the trailers you use to transport your horses are safe both for the animal and for yourself. By taking a few things into consideration, you will be able to find a trailer that meets both your horse’s needs as well as your own.
One of the first aspects you should think about when buying used horse trailers is the horse itself. Many horses are not fond of the dark and can be extremely claustrophobic. If you purchase a trailer that doesn’t have adequate lighting or enough space for the horse to move its legs around, you are increasing the risk of the animal getting injured. Horses need enough space in the trailer to move their legs, as this helps them to keep their balance during your travels. If the trailer doesn’t have adequate space and the lighting is bad, it will stress out the horses and make them scramble. This is what causes a lot of horse injuries during transit, so take into consideration the size of your horse, and make sure the trailer has sufficient space, lighting, and ventilation.
Image credit: Hans van de Vorst
You will also want to give the used horse trailers you’re looking at a close examination to make sure that they aren’t damaged. Check the doors of the trailer to make sure that they close and latch properly and that there aren’t any objects obstructing the door or inside the trailer that could injure your horse. Make sure that the weight capacity of the trailer is clearly marked and displayed on the outside of the trailer as well. It is extremely dangerous to exceed the weight limit on your horse trailer, as it could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
Make sure you know whether the trailer is slant load or straight load. The slant load used horse trailers allow you to put more horses in the trailer itself due to its sloped design. You can only fit one horse into a straight load trailer, which sits on a straight platform rather than a sloped surface.
Also make sure before you purchase any used horse trailers that you take a look at the entrance of the trailer. The entrance to the trailer is basically a ramp the horse uses to enter into the trailer. It’s important to be thinking about this because each horse has a different type of preference and may not go up a certain style of ramp. The only way you can know for sure what type of ramp will work best with your horse is to take your animal and test out different ramps to find the one they like to use the best.
There are also several different types of material that horse trailers are made from. One type of used horse trailers is made from aluminum and the other is made from steel. There are perks and downsides to both of these types, so it’s best to find out what your budget is before making a final decision, as well as what type of need your horse has.
Doing your research is the key to finding the right used horse trailers for your animals. Keep in mind what the horse requires, shop around, and you’re sure to come across a safe and affordable horse trailer.