Transporting horses requires a series of appropriate methods and safety measures to secure the animal in the trailer so that it is comfortable throughout the journey. For this, it is necessary to take into account different legal practices to make the journey with your horse a success.
At Equspaddock, we bring you this fantastic guide to help you choose the right horse trailer and everything you need to know to make the right decision.
Can horse transport be carried out in a trailer?
While transporting horses in a trailer is possible, there are a number of basic considerations you need to follow to the letter to ensure maximum safety and comfort for the animal.
Basic considerations for the transport of horses
Below, we list some key issues that are extremely important when transporting horses:
- Safety: it is crucial that you secure the trailer for equine transport following all safety measures and standards required by law. Make sure you carefully inform yourself of all the current regulations that exist in your area and follow them carefully.
- Comfort: the transport should be spacious enough for the horse to move freely, be able to keep its balance and receive plenty of natural air through the trailer’s ventilation system to avoid the stress of the journey.
- Ease of loading and unloading: For proper handling of the horse in and out of the trailer, the trailer should have sufficiently wide rear doors and safe and sturdy ramps to allow for safe transport.
Types of trailers
Fortunately, for the correct transport of horses, there are different solutions and types of trailers that you can acquire according to your needs and, each of them, has independent characteristics that we analyse below:
- Head-on trailers: this type of vehicle for transporting horses stands out for allowing the animal to travel with its head forward to allow it to relax during the journey and avoid any nervousness.
- Double-decker trailers: these trailers have two different levels to provide the horses with enough space for them to feel comfortable and to distribute all the weight evenly.
- Stock trailers: Finally, this model of trailer has a series of high railings, a firm structure to get the horses used to travelling and is ideal for warmer climates as it has excellent ventilation.
Animal care when transporting horses
First and foremost, it is extremely important to have the horses as secure as possible so that they enjoy the best possible welfare, as we have been saying throughout this article. For this reason, it is essential to have the safety equipment required by current legislation and to take into account the size of the trailer so that the animal has enough room to manoeuvre.
Safety equipment
The minimum safety equipment you should incorporate in your horse trailer is as follows:
- Adjustable dividers: these dividers will allow you to adapt the horse’s space according to your needs to ensure greater stability for the animal throughout the journey.
- Non-slip flooring: different types of flooring, such as rubber flooring, are ideal to prevent horses from slipping during the journey and ensure maximum safety.
Trailer size
The size of the trailer should be calculated according to the number of horses you need to transport. There are numerous models available in various sizes that you can purchase according to your needs and always to ensure the total balance of the animal, as well as its comfort and well-being.
Frequently asked questions about horse transport
How much space does a horse need in a trailer?
Generally, it is recommended that the trailer has a height of 2.5 metres and a width of up to 1.2 metres per horse to ensure the animal’s comfort, although these measurements may vary depending on the special characteristics of each horse.
Is an open or an enclosed trailer preferable?
The choice of one model or the other will depend largely on the climatic conditions of the area and the needs of the individual horse. On the one hand, closed trailers provide greater protection against adverse weather conditions, while open trailers allow more ventilation for the animal.
How do I know if my trailer is safe enough?
It is important to analyse and verify that your trailer complies with all current animal transport safety regulations and follows all appropriate safety methods according to your specific needs.
At Equspaddock, we are experts in equestrian and horse riding, and we have a large number of items and equipment adapted for horses. We invite you to take a look at our website to choose the products that best suit your needs and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
