| g a trailer the first time can be overwhelming if you | | | | – saddle, show clothes, tack, water buckets, hay, |
| don’t know anything about rigs. It’s best | | | | and anything else you’ll be carrying. Make sure |
| to take a friend with you who hauls their own horses. | | | | you don’t exceed the towing capacity of your |
| Even then, you’ll still have to provide information | | | | vehicle or the weight capacity of your hitch. All trucks |
| on your horse and truck to make sure you get the | | | | have labels and paperwork saying what their towing |
| right trailer. | | | | capacity is. Make sure you have this information when |
| Where to Find a Trailer | | | | looking for trailers. |
| Most people would rather not pay full price for a trailer | | | | Slant Load or Straight Load Trailer |
| if they don’t have to. Look in the classifieds of | | | | Most slant loads come with a dressing room which is |
| your local newspaper; go to your local tack store. Both | | | | great for horse shows or trail rides. Make sure to |
| will have ads for trailers; the tack shop might have a | | | | measure slant loads and well as straight loads since |
| photograph of the trailer which is always helpful. You | | | | the dressing room may take up space for your horse |
| can also ask the staff if they know the person selling | | | | and may then be too short and narrow. |
| the trailer, about the type of trailer, etc. You can also | | | | Some manufacturers think slant loads are less |
| post an ad at the tack shop for a trailer which might | | | | stressful for a horse because they can lean on the |
| quicken the process. It will take a while to find the right | | | | dividers to rest if needed. You can also turn your |
| one, so be patient. | | | | horse around in a slant load and don’t need to |
| Used trailers can be found on websites, but | | | | worry about backing them out if it’s an issue |
| you’re always taking a chance if you buy off | | | | for your horse. |
| the web. It’s better to buy the trailer off a lot | | | | The Material Choice |
| – new or used – because you can check | | | | The majority of rigs are made of either steel or |
| out the overall condition of the trailer; see if there are | | | | aluminum. Steel is stronger, heavier and will hold up in |
| rust spots or other damage the seller hasn’t | | | | an accident or crash. A steel trailer will cost less, but |
| fully disclosed. Make sure you get a warranty if one is | | | | you may need to spend more on upkeep later if the |
| available. | | | | trailer rusts. Since the steel trailer is heavier, it will affect |
| The necessary details | | | | the towing capacity of your vehicle, so keep the |
| You’ll need to know the length, width, height and | | | | weight difference in mind. An aluminum trailer weighs |
| weight of your horse to make sure you get the right | | | | less then a steel trailer and will be more expensive. |
| size rig. They come in a few standard heights: 7 feet, | | | | However, an aluminum trailer will hold its value better |
| 7 feet 4 inches, and 7 feet 6 inches. Most 15 to 16 | | | | and want to trade up for a new or larger model. |
| hand horses will easily fit in a 7 foot tall rig, but the | | | | Aluminum trailers tend to dent easier, which could be a |
| added height is an advantage if plan to get another | | | | problem if your horse is restless when being moved |
| horse in the future or want to haul someone | | | | and tends to kick. |
| else’s’ horse. If your horse is over 16 | | | | Before you start looking for a rig, do some research.. |
| hands, you’d want to get the 7 foot 6 inch rig. | | | | Go to a horse expo, check out a truck dealership. |
| You need to know the weight capacity of your hitch | | | | Consider sharing your rig with a friend who also goes |
| and the towing capacity of your truck. And finally, | | | | to horse shows. He/she can help with the gas costs |
| you’ll also need the gross trailer weight, which is | | | | and you’ll have someone to go to shows when |
| determined by adding the weight of the trailer and the | | | | other people at your barn may be busy. Be safe, stay |
| weight of the cargo you’ll carry inside it. | | | | within your budget and have fun wherever you go! |
| Don’t forget to include all the other horse gear | | | | |