What Type of Horse Trailer is Right for You?

Transportation of horses is important whether you are going a short distance or across the country. The main goal is to give the animals a safe and comfortable ride. Horses are hauled for showing, riding or going to a clinic or veterinarian. 

There are several types of horse trailers, and they can be sorted by hitch types, bumper pull, gooseneck, and semi-truck variants. Horse trailers are constructed with materials such as alloy steel, lightweight aluminum, composites and hybrid combinations. Factors to consider when choosing a horse trailer are how many animals to haul, how much room for tack and gear and are amenities needed such as living space and storage. 

The most common horse trailer is the original bumper pull, also referred to as tag-alongs. These trailers are often lighter weight with a maximum capacity of 3 to 4 horses. They are best used for short-distance trips and can be towed by smaller pickup trucks, RVs or SUVs. Bumper pull trailers are good for navigating narrow roads and don’t require as much space for making turns. These models are less expensive and simpler to maintain than larger counterparts. Drawbacks for bumper pulls are they have less interior space and harder to fit larger horse breeds. 

Gooseneck trailers have a distinct design comprised of a main trailer body with a small overhang that attaches to a truck bed. These are the most common horse trailers on the road today. There are many benefits to a gooseneck such as space, stability on the road and comfort for animals and humans. Many gooseneck trailers have living quarters for sleeping, eating and bathing including storage for extended travel. These trailers are more expensive than bumper pulls but have a better load capacity, easier maneuverability and fewer tongue weight issues with the hitch mechanism on top of the truck’s rear axle. 

Semi-truck trailers, sometimes referred to as tractor-type horse trailers connect exclusively to semi-trucks using a 5th wheel coupling. They have a large load capacity combining safety and comfort with ample room for tack and storage. These rigs are often used by professional competitors that travel thousands of road miles each year. Operators of a semi-truck trailer must have a relevant driver’s license and road permits to haul the weight of the rig and horses. Parking and turning are much more difficult with a semi-truck trailer combination and the most expensive to service and maintain.