by Rita Krater

Created on: November 17, 2010

When choosing a horse trailer, horse owners need to ask themselves some questions.  Gooseneck or bumper hitch? Straight or slant load? Do they need a tack room or living quarters?  Horse trailers come in many varieties and prices and the best thing that a prospective buyer can do is get out and look at as many prospects as possible.

Slant vs. Straight Load

Some horses are easy travelers, while others need some special attention.  Horses with balance problems or who are nervous travelers tend to like slant loads better.  It is easier to balance around turns when the horse is sideways rather than facing into a turn. 

Slant load trailers also generally can hold more horses than a straight load, so if you want a larger capacity, this is probably the way to go. 

Tack Rooms and/or Living Quarters

Living quarters can range from a place to put a mattress to complete with a kitchenette and bed.  Prospective buyers should consider how much they want to pay and how much they will really use living quarters.  It is a good idea to have some tack space but how much depends on buyer preference and how much tack they will need to fit in. 

Remember that both tack rooms and living quarters can take away from space for horses and can add a lot to the price of a trailer.  If the trailer has a rear tack room, make sure that any large horses will still fit into the trailer as some of the stalls, especially the back one, can get small. 

Gooseneck vs. Bumper Hitch

This is a matter of preference, and also depends on how one’s towing vehicle is set up.  It is not easy to set up a truck or other vehicle for a gooseneck, so this should be taken into consideration.  Some vehicles can be set up for gooseneck trailers, however, if the need arises.

Some points in favor of goosenecks are extra space and a better ride for the horses.  Even if a trailer does not have living quarters, a gooseneck can be used as a sleeping space or an extra storage area. 

It is a good idea to try out a trailer if at all possible.  If you cannot try loading your horse onto it, measurements should be taken to ensure that big horses will fit comfortably.  If a horse is even a little cramped, it can become trailer sour.  Also, be sure to inspect the wiring, which is time consuming and costly to fix if it does not work properly. Buyers should always be completely comfortable before investing in a horse trailer. 

Learn more about this author, Rita Krater.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.