By Sarah Gee
©Voice, August/September 2007

The most important considerations when choosing a horse trailer are comfort and safety. A trailer that is of adequate size for your horses is essential. Additionally, strong floors, sturdy mats, sufficient padding and ample ventilation are all important factors to consider when shopping for a horse trailer.

In terms of size, the trailer should be both long enough and wide enough for your horses. The length of the trailer should allow each horse to stand solidly on all four feet without being cramped. Each horse should be able to move a couple of steps back and forth between the front and back of his space in the trailer. There should be enough space for each horse to brace himself. A rule of thumb for trailer size would provide a trailer that is 10 inches taller that the resting position of your tallest horse’s head and enough width to allow your broadest horse three inches of lateral movement to each side. Remember, the more comfortable a horse is in a trailer, the less likely he will develop bad trailering habits.

There are a number of floor types that can be used successfully in horse trailers. The primary considerations are strength and safety. Rotten or weak boards can cause serious injury to horses. Regardless of type, the floor should allow a small space between the boards for urine to pass.
Sturdy rubber mats that do not easily roll up are essential for every trailer. Mats provide footing as well as extra cushion for your horses.
Your trailer will need to be well padded to prevent injury to your horses in case of a sudden stop or accident. The padding should be on both sides, the front and back, and on any partitions in the trailer. It should be low enough to protect the knees in the front and adjusted properly to prevent “rubs” on the sides of your horses. A well padded butt bar or chain will provide a safety mechanism in case the trailer door comes open or was not properly fastened.

Never select a trailer with poor ventilation. Four horses in a trailer can give off a tremendous amount of heat. Additionally, the fumes from urine and manure can cause breathing problems on long trips. Adequate ventiliation is essential in summer and winter. It’s much more likely that a horse will overheat in the summer than get too cold in the winter.