5 Features to Avoid When Buying a Horse Trailer

Choosing a trailer to transport your horse can be a lot of fun. There are some great options on the market. However, to ensure that your horse is comfortable and your trailer is safe, there are certain features you may want to avoid.

1. A Crowded Rear Tack Room

A tack area is important in a horse trailer. You want space to store your saddles and other gear. However, you should avoid rear tack areas that reduce the amount of entry room for the horse. Going through a narrow entryway can be scary for a lot of horses.

Instead, look for a horse trailer that has a separate tack area located in the front of the trailer. If you prefer a rear tack area, look for one that doesn't compromise the entryway. For example, some horse trailers have a small tack area embedded in the back door, but this swings open so the horse has lots of room to walk in comfortably.

2. Upper Dividers

If you are buying a trailer for two horses, think about how the dividers are set up, and imagine how your horse will feel in that space. In most cases, you want some divider to keep the horses in relative order. However, you may want to look for half dividers that separate the horses legs.

This is preferable to upper dividers that hang from the roof of the trailer. These dividers can make the horse feel very enclosed. They don't allow the horse to look around and reassure himself about his surroundings.

3. Noisy Screws

Upper partitions aren't the only things that can make your horse feel uncomfortable or nervous in the horse trailer. If possible, you may also want to take a ride in the trailer before purchasing it. In particular, pay attention to the noise levels.

If the screws are rubbing against the sheet metal, that can create an unpleasant din inside of the trailer. To avoid this effect, you may want to look for a horse trailer that has rubber washers around all the screws, or one that uses welding or tape instead of screws.   

4. Thin Aluminium

In addition to thinking about your horse's experience, you also have to think about how well the horse trailer is going to stand up to your horse. Look at the gauge of the metal. Does it look like it could withstand a kick from your equine? If not, you risk the horse putting a hole into the metal, and over time, that damage is likely to spread.

Additionally, your horse could get hurt on the ripped metal. To avoid this situation, look for a horse trailer in quality condition with heavy, gauge metal.

5. A Hot Interior

Generally, when buying a horse trailer, you have a choice between aluminum and steel. Aluminum tends to be more expensive, but it also is lighter, making hauling easier on your truck. Additionally, aluminum is more weather and corrosion-resistant than steel. These features boost the longevity of aluminium trailers, while also reducing the maintenance you need to do.

However, there is one clear advantage steel offers compared to aluminum, and it concerns heat conductivity. If you purchase an aluminium trailer, your horse is basically in a metal box that conducts heat very well. If you live in a hot environment, you need to ensure that the aluminum trailer has ample ventilation. In lieu of that, you may want to opt for a steel trailer. As steel doesn't conduct heat as well, these interior tend to stay cooler and more comfortable for your horse.

Want more tips on choosing a horse trailer? Contact a trailer company like Colorado Trailers Inc.