A horse trailer is one of the biggest investments an equestrian can make. Whether it’s because you want to go to shows, on trail rides, or even have a veterinary emergency that requires transporting, it’s important to buy a trailer that fits your needs.
But with the number of options available, it can be hard to pick one. There are so many different styles and price points that it can all be a little overwhelming. This post will list out many of the pros and cons for the most common trailer types and attempt to help you make an informed purchase decision.
We will be looking at slant-load, side-by-side, in-line, and stock trailers. Next week’s post will examine more trailer options like material, hitch types, entry methods, and add ons, so stay tuned for that!
Slant-Load Horse Trailer
Slant load trailers require the horses to stand at a slant, angled towards the front of the trailer and tied to the left. Partitions that are hung from the wall separate the horses and are closed after each horse is loaded. These trailers often have multiple entry points and may be able to be entered from the side, rear, and/or both.
Pros
- Allows you to haul more horses in a shorter, wider space (compared to side-by-side trailers)
- Moveable partitions allow for easy loading and unloading
- Can back horses out or turn around to unload
- With no permanent divider, the trailer can be used for other animals or even equipment
- Typically wider trailers allows for more stable travel and is less prone to fishtailing
Cons
- Often more expensive than other horse trailer types
- Due to their ability to carry more, they provide a heavier load — tow vehicle and suspension need to be more powerful
- Driver must accommodate for the wide load – trailer is often wider than the truck and the turning radius will be bigger
- If an accident were to occur and the trailer flips to the left, your horse will land headfirst making it extremely difficult to get them out safely
Side-By-Side Horse Trailer
Side-by-side trailers (a.k.a. straight load) have been the “go-to” trailer for decades. These trailers accommodate horses in multiples of two, each facing straight forward and side-by-side. Within these trailers, butt bars or chains attach behind each horse to help them stay put.
Pros
- Often cheaper and have more customization options
- Slimmer to allow for more convenient storage in a large shed or garage
- Same width as towing vehicle allowing for greater maneuverability and lower chance of running a tire off the road
- In an accident, the horses should lie flat and the trailer can often be righted without having to unload them
Cons
- Since the horses are facing forward, they will have to brace their weight on their front end when braking or slowing, rather than their hind end – can be problematic on longer rides especially for horses with preexisting front leg conditions
- Loading and unloading can be a challenge – horses may not like each other and skittish horses can also present problems when there is no escape door
- Can only back out – horse can not look back
- Can be difficult to trailer a wet mare (foal at side)
In-Line Horse Trailer
In-line trailers are singlewide trailers designed to accommodate one or two horses that ride in a forward position. These trailers are not very popular in the United States.
Pros
- Much narrower than other trailers – less wind resistance leading to better gas mileage
- Axle placement allows for a more stable ride and added maneuverability
- If turned over in an accident, the horses will end up on their sides and not on top of each other
Cons
- Not very popular – may be difficult to purchase one
- Horses are facing forward causing similar problems to side-by-side
- Loading is trickier as it is a tighter area
- Horses must be backed out and in a two-horse trailer, the first horse has a longer way to go
- The front axle turns and the trailer pivots at the hitch, they are nearly impossible to back up
Stock Horse Trailer
Stock trailers can be used for hauling other livestock as well as horses. They are very popular in the Western parts of the US where many people have cattle and horse. These trailers generally feature loose loading design without partitions. Horses can either be tied to the left or remain untied to move around at will.
Pros
- Least expensive option
- Loose loading horses are able to find the most comfortable position for them
- When horses are untied, horses can lower their heads, allowing horses with respiratory issues to drain their airways
- Great for shipping wet mares since they allow the foal to stay close to the dam
- Claustrophobic horses often load easier in these types of horse trailers
- Top portion of a stock trailer is composed of open railing allowing for increased ventilation
Cons
- Most stock trailers are shorter in height compared to others
- Generally only offer the bare essentials with fewer options available
- Flooring is often just wooden planks for ease of cleaning (can be slick when horses urinate) – rubber mats can be purchased and added
- Without tying the horses, horses are more prone to crowd, bite, or kick
- Top opening rails can expose horses to bad weather and road noise
- In the event of an accident, horses can get hooves or legs trapped in the side rails
Thank you so much for reading about the different types of horse trailers! Please let me know if you learned anything new and if any questions you may have about the content! I’d love to hear from you!
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