Horse Trailer Options

Horse trailer choices are almost as broad as truck options. While your specific trailering needs e g. how many horses youll be hauling at any one time size of the horses typical hauling duration etc. will obviously impact your choice of horse trailer the horses safety and comfort should always be your primary concern when considering the following trailer options...
Anglehaul vs. Straighthaul
Anglehaul trailers permit more horses to be put into a smaller space than conventional straighthaul designs. But if anglehaul trailers were so good professional carriers would use them exclusively. So why dont we? Simply put horses standing at an angle to the direction of travel are less secure contrary to what the makers would have us believe are put at higher risk for posttrip complications particularly over longer distances and lack the headroom which offers a measure of security to claustrophobic travelers. Additionally anglehaul trailers with mangers at the head position may offer us more room to stow gear but prevent the horse from lowering his head in transit inviting shipping fever.
Stepup vs. Ramp
Ramps can reduce the stress on tendons and joints often associated with loadingunloading incidents. On the other hand stepups are easier to manage and most horses can certainly handle the hop needed to enter them. I have witnessed more injuries resulting from negotiating a stepup than those encountered on ramps. Ramps should have nonslip footing and a longer ramp offers a gentler incline which is safer for the horse.
Bumperpull vs. Gooseneck
Bumperpull Receiver Hitches The only bumperpull hitches with sufficient capabilities to safely tow a loaded horse trailer are Class IV and V receiver models. A receiver hitch is installed onto the tow vehicle and accepts a hitch head into a two to twoandahalf inch square tube. There are two types of hitch heads weightcarrying and weightdistributing both of which are designed to fit into the receiver hitch.
Its important to differentiate between trailer weight total weight of the trailer including its full load and hitch weight weight bearing down directly onto the ball on the hitch head. Ideally the hitch weight is roughly ten percent of the loaded trailer weight but a weightdistributing or equalizer head when properly hooked up distributes equal portions of the hitch weight between the front axle of the tow vehicle and the trailer axles. This arrangement has the distinct benefit of making for increased control between trailer and tow vehicle while decreasing