The Ultimate Guide to Horse Trailer Safety
Michelle DrumWhether you’re bringing home a new horse, planning a trail ride, or competing in an event, you’re going to need to use or purchase a horse trailer. Traveling with horses can be safe and accident-free with proper safety features and preparation. Our friends at Ken Feagin Truck & Trailer have provided us with a horse trailer safety checklist to make sure you and your horses arrive safely and enjoy the trip.
Key safety factors to consider when choosing a horse trailer
Whether you’re choosing a horse trailer or evaluating your own before you travel, here are several safety factors to keep in mind so your horses stay secure and comfortable.
1. The number and size of your horses
A horse should have about ten inches of space above its head in resting position and about three spare inches to move its body from side to side. A lack of appropriate trailer sizing invites injury to your horses and weight distribution issues that affect your safety on the road. Swaying, bouncing, or porpoising (when the axle dives and lifts) can be caused by loading too much weight.
Here’s what to avoid:
- A trailer that’s too small and cramped can risk injury to your horses and cause behavioral issues. Tight and dark spaces can give horses anxiety, and a stressful trip in a trailer can affect their future loading behavior.
- A trailer that’s too large for your horses gives too much room to shift and move during the trip, risking a loss of balance.
- Overloading a small trailer with larger breeds also puts you and others on the road at risk. Larger horse breeds may require a more spacious trailer or one that’s capable of handling the amount of weight required.
To avoid injury to your horses and unstable driving conditions, make sure the trailer dimensions fit your horses’ needs comfortably: not too big, not too small. The last thing you or your horses need is trailer trauma that makes every trip a hassle.
Recommended trailer heights for most horses are 7’6” to 7’8’, which allows ample space for entry and exit. The additional head room also makes for an overall more comfortable riding experience for your horses. An experienced horse trailer dealer can assist with determining the best size for your needs.
2. The build quality of the trailer
Creating a comfortable and stress-free environment inside the trailer can make a big difference in how your horse behaves during loading, unloading, and after hauling. A well-designed trailer helps your horse feel secure on the road, while a poorly built trailer can turn a bumpy ride into a nightmare at high speeds or in poor weather.
Craftsmanship and design
Sloppy details in the craftsmanship may seem small, but can have a big impact. For example, the metal burrs on a bad finish can cut or irritate a horse’s sensitive skin, and uneven floors can lead to joint issues. Alternatively, helpful design features, like wide openings to stalls and well-sized ramps, contribute to making a trailer efficient for the hauler and approachable for the horse.
Hitch and suspension
A secure hitch and a strong suspension mean a smooth, stable ride for you and your horses. A well-designed hitch keeps your trailer securely connected, preventing unnecessary movement or swaying, while a durable suspension system helps absorb road shocks, reducing stress on your horses and providing a more comfortable towing experience.
Ventilation
A quality trailer will strategically place well-sized vents in the walls and roof of your horse trailer. Especially in warm weather, proper ventilation in a horse trailer is critical to regulating the temperature, air flow, and oxygen supply for your horses. A hot and stuffy trailer that doesn’t allow for airflow, especially during the height of summer, can dehydrate and overheat your horses.
Interior lighting
Especially during the day, a dark trailer without sufficient interior lighting can spook your horses and reduce their physical stability during the ride. Interior lighting should provide your horses with sufficient visual comfort without distracting you or other drivers on the road.
Flooring
The flooring of your horse trailer is crucial to ensuring your horse’s safety and maintaining the balance of weight in your trailer as you travel. Non-slip flooring, like rubber mats and grip strips on ramps, provides your horses the traction they need to keep their footing.
Thick padding
Padding on chest bars, stall sides, and dividers provide the cushion your horse needs to stay safe and stable during the ride. As your horses keep their balance in the trailer, they can safely rub up against the thick padding on the bars, dividers, and walls that keep them secure while avoiding bruising or other injury.
It’s important to ensure that the craftsmanship, design, hitch, suspension, ventilation, lighting, flooring, and padding of your horse trailer are all high quality. The build quality of your horse trailer contributes significantly to your horse’s safety inside.
3. The safety features of the trailer
No matter how experienced a driver may be, preparation is always key. Well-built, reliable trailer horse trailers are designed with several safety features to ensure you and your horses are safe and secure, even in the event of an accident. The safety features on your trailer should be durable and well-maintained to ensure safety.
Here are the most common safety features you should be aware of:
Safety chains
Two safety chains connect the tongue of your horse trailer to your vehicle’s hitch. If your hitch were to ever disconnect or malfunction, these safety chains prevent your horse trailer from fully detaching from your vehicle as you pull over to reattach it.
Emergency or breakaway brakes
A breakaway system connects your vehicle to the horse trailer using a switch or cable. If your horse trailer were to detach from your vehicle, the cable would disconnect, triggering your trailer’s brakes to automatically engage. Well-maintained brakes and a dependable breakaway cable help ensure that if your trailer ever detaches, it comes to a safe and controlled stop, protecting both you and your horses.
Exterior lighting
Proper lighting on your trailer is critical to remaining visible on the road. Strategically placed lights for brakes, turn signals, tail lights, clearance, and markers alert other drivers to your presence and prevent road accidents. Bright reflectors improve your visibility at night or in tunnels, keeping you safer on and off the road.
Escape doors
An additional 1-2 doors in the side of a trailer allow you to access horses or unload from the front in the case of an emergency that compromises the rear of the trailer.
Safety ties
Safety ties are quick-release tethers that secure your horse’s head during transit. A safety tie is firm enough to restrict excessive movement during the ride, but is also designed to detach under strong pressure to avoid injury to your horse or damage to the trailer if your horse panics.
If a safety trailer tie is unavailable, using a lead rope is an acceptable method of securing your horse for transport. Be sure to use a quick-release knot and make sure the lead is safely off the ground.
Note: Avoid using rubber or bungee materials that can cause injuries from snapping under pressure. Instead, look for models with a panic release strap or a heavy-duty nylon velcro tie.
4. Your storage and tack room needs
Tack and gear in the trailer can pose a risk to horses and should always be packed in a separate compartment. Choosing the right-sized tack room helps keep your gear organized, protects your equipment from damage, and makes your trips more convenient and stress-free.
A large storage or tack room:
- Provides more space for tack, grooming supplies, horse blankets, and your own gear and supplies needed for your trip.
- Provides room for more passengers in your vehicle by keeping everything packed and stored away in the trailer.
- Provides easier organization with more storage options, including more tack hooks, brush boxes, and saddle racks.
A small storage or tack room:
- Usually decreases the overall size and weight of the trailer, which can be especially helpful if you’re working with a lower towing capacity.
- Offers a more compact build, making it easier to store when not in use and allowing for better maneuverability in tight spaces.
- Often provides space-saving and customizable features, including detachable and fold-out saddle racks.
Choosing the right size for your intended use is important to having the space and features you need to keep your equipment secure on the road.
Is slant-load or straight-load safer?
Both slant-loads and straight-loads in horse trailers are safe to use. The choice between loads depends on the temperament of your horses and your personal preference.
Slant-load features
In a slant-load horse trailer, horses are loaded into slanted stalls that typically allow for more stalls within the same size trailer. This design can offer better weight distribution, making it easier for horses to maintain their balance. It requires horses to walk backward when unloading, which may not be as safe if your horses are inexperienced with horse trailers or dislike walking in reverse.
Straight-load features
Is a gooseneck or bumper pull horse trailer safer?
Both gooseneck (GN) and a bumper pull (BP) trailers are safe options, but they meet different needs when it comes to towing capacity, maneuverability, and space. The choice between the models primarily comes down to your priorities and the type of towing vehicle you have.
Gooseneck features
A gooseneck trailer is a popular choice for increased stability and weight capacity. The weight of the trailer is centered on the middle of a truck bed, providing a smoother ride on the road. The tighter turn radius of a gooseneck trailer not only makes it easier to navigate packed locations, such as fairgrounds and event centers, but also simplifies backing in.
Bumper pull features
Bumper pulls are smaller and can be easier for some drivers to maneuver and store when not in use. The standard hitch is also compatible with more vehicles and often less expensive due to the smaller amount of materials required. These features make them a cost-effective option for haulers who need a reliable, efficient trailer without the added expense of a larger, more complex model.
Learn more: Towing a Trailer: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
Horse trailer safety checklist
Good preparation is the key for safety. Here’s a checklist you can follow to make sure that your towing vehicle and horse trailer are safe and secure to get on the road.
1. Inspect the floor for rot or rust
Especially if you’re buying or borrowing a used horse trailer, be sure to inspect the floor for any weakness or damage. Look carefully for any structural integrity issues, such as rotting wood or degrading metals that could put your horses at risk of falling through a compromised floor during transit.
If rubber flooring mats have been laid while the wood underneath was still wet from being hosed down, you may see mold or rot. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need to replace compromised floorboards or repair a damaged metal floor.
Note: You can extend the lifespan of your trailer floor and mats by adding fresh shavings to absorb the ammonia and moisture from horse waste during your trip.
2. Check tires for wear and proper inflation
Horse trailer tires should be periodically checked for signs of wear, including cracks from dry rot, missing or worn tread below ¼”, and deflation. Be sure to check the tire pressure of all four tires and your spare tire before transporting horses. Tires with normal wear and tear should be replaced every four years.
3. Test your vehicle and trailer brakes
After you hook up your horse trailer but before you load your horses, test your brakes. Look out for any signs of slipping and get an inspection or adjust as necessary.
4. Verify all lighting is functioning properly
After connecting the electrical wires of the trailer to the towing vehicle, make sure your exterior, interior, and brake lights are all functioning correctly. Test both of your turning signals and hazard light functions as well.
5. Evaluate the interior for hazards
Before loading your horses, ensure there are no rough textures, sharp edges, or puncture risks on interior surfaces that could injure or irritate your horse’s sensitive skin. Tie up hay nets that could entangle a horse’s hoofs, and close windows or use window face guards to protect your horses from excessive wind during travel.
6. Test all hinges and latches
The last thing you want is a door or divider coming loose on the road. Open and close all latches to ensure they fully latch shut, and perform a visual inspection of the welding on hinges.
7. Double-check security measures
To keep your horse trailer safe while unattended, check the integrity of your tack room lock and invest in padlocks for your trailer’s latches. Consider a hitch lock to prevent theft of your horse trailer if you’re intending on disconnecting it during your stay.
8. Pack emergency supplies
In case of an emergency, it’s helpful to have a few supplies. Here’s what we recommend:
- Fire extinguisher
- Roadside mechanical gear
- First aid kits for both you and your horses
- Reflective equipment, including triangles and safety vests
- Canister of extra water for your horses
- Spare trailer tire
With these few items, you can have a little extra peace of mind that you’re prepared for the road.
9. Check wind and weather conditions
Because high winds or heavy rain can affect your ability to control a trailer, check conditions before leaving. If sustained winds are above 30 mph or gusts exceed 40 mph, you may want to wait to travel with a horse trailer in better conditions.
Is there a speed limit for towing a horse trailer?
While there are no US speed limits specific to horse trailers, many horse trailers include a recommended top speed for the model. For safe towing, follow the posted speed limits and the speed limit recommendation on your trailer, and avoid using cruise control so you maintain full control of your vehicle and trailer in all weather and lighting conditions.
A quality horse trailer is just a call away
While preventing accidents is always the goal, some situations are beyond your control. To ensure the safety of you and your horses on your next haul, make sure to pay careful attention to the quality, care, and maintenance of your horse trailer.
Interested in finding a durable horse trailer that puts your mind at ease? Ken Feagin and his team are friendly, knowledgeable, and always happy to help. Give them a call or stop by to see their horse trailer selection in Campobello, SC!
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