| u have decided to invest in purchasing a trailer you will | | | | side. Some straight loads allow horses to be shipped |
| probably be overwhelmed by the immense range of | | | | facing rearward as well as frontward. Stock trailers |
| trailer available on the market. There are many things | | | | are open concept, usually divided into two sections. |
| to consider when selecting a trailer. Here are some of | | | | Horses can stand in any way they are comfortable |
| the things you should consider before purchasing a | | | | and can be shipped loose for long hauls. The right style |
| trailer. | | | | of interior depends a great deal on your horses. Most |
| • Steel or Aluminum: Both steel and aluminum | | | | trailers are straight loads, and most horses are |
| trailers can be found in all shapes and sizes. Steel | | | | comfortable with that. Slant loads can be great |
| trailers are heavier, so if you are looking at a larger | | | | alternatives for horses who have troubles balancing in |
| trailer you might want to veer away from steel. | | | | the trailer. Stock trailers are best for large horses or if |
| Aluminum has the additional advantage that it does not | | | | you are shipping young or untrained animals. |
| rust, so requires less repairs in the long run. Most used | | | | • Step Up or Ramp Load: There are people |
| trailers will be made of steel, so be careful to look over | | | | who swear by each of these types of trailers, each of |
| the trailer very carefully to make sure there are no | | | | which have their own range of benefits. Ramp loads |
| dangerously rusted areas. With a lower price tag steel | | | | are generally good for horses with some loading |
| trailers are the most common trailers on the road. | | | | experience and offer a safe way to get horses on |
| • Bumper Pull or Gooseneck: Bumper pull | | | | and off the trailer. They also allow for loading on |
| trailers can be towed by a wide range of vehicles. | | | | surfaces that would otherwise raise the floor too far |
| Heavy SUVs and vans can capably pull a 2 horse | | | | above the ground level making a step quite large. |
| trailer with a bumper pull hitch. Goosenecks must be | | | | Ramps can be very heavy and are not great for bad |
| pulled with a pick-up truck. While gooseneck hitches | | | | loaders. Step ups do not require the lifting of a heavy |
| can be removed, they take up a fair bit of space in the | | | | ramp. Horses generally step on without too much |
| back of your truck bed and can make it difficult to ship | | | | difficulty and since you can close the door behind them |
| other things in the back. On the other hand, | | | | without delay they are great for horses who are bad |
| goosenecks are safer and easier to pull once you get | | | | shippers. Unloading off step ups can be scary for |
| used to them. | | | | some horses. They may try to jump off and slip in the |
| • Slant Load, Straight Load or Stock: There are | | | | process. |
| many interior designs for trailers. Slant loads have | | | | • Tack Room: Some trailers have a built-in tack |
| dividers that sandwich horses at a 45 degree angle. | | | | room. If you show a lot this can come in very handy, |
| This is said to give the horses a better sense of | | | | both to store your tack and to change into your show |
| stability than straight loads. Straight loads are usually | | | | clothes. Others have smaller tack storage lockers. |
| forward facing trailers where the horses stand side by | | | | |