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Choosing the Right Horse Trailer
03/30/2009
A horse website recently had an online poll asking readers what their favorite horse trailer was. While the majority preferred slant load, everyone had an opinion, especially about horse trailer resale values on horse classifieds.
A horse website recently had an online poll asking readers what their favorite horse trailer was. While the majority preferred slant load, everyone had an opinion, especially about horse trailer resale values on horse classifieds. A quick look through the horse classifieds reveals the great diversity in trailers that are available, as well as the price. In order to be able to shop for trailers on the horse classifieds or in supply stores (if you have the money), it’s a good idea to know the ins-and-outs of horse trailers. The appropriate horse trailer can save you money, and keep your horse safe and stress-free during transportation.
Slant-load
When you see the term “slant-load” in the horse classifieds, you’re seeing a trailer that lines horses up diagonally, with the horse’s nose pointing towards the 2 o’clock position, and the tail pointing at the 7 o’clock positions. Over 50% of trailers placed in the horse classifieds are slant-loads. Horses generally have an easier time being hauled in slant-loads because their balance is less effective. If you will be hauling any young horses with balance problems (foals, yearlings), slant-loads are ideal. Slant-loads appear so often on the horse classifieds because they have a high resale value. Even on the horse classifieds, however, they have a high price tag. Even the most beat up slant-load trailer won’t appear on the horse classifieds for less than $3,000. But if you breed, or transport a good deal of younger horses, that price tag might be worth it.
Straight-load
The next most popular horse classifieds trailer is the straight-load, where the horse stalls line up either front-to-back, or side-to-side. This is slightly more difficult for the horse to handle balance-wise, but horses are more comfortable being hauled face-forward. Straight-load trailers have the added benefit of being a good deal for those trolling the horse classifieds for a good deal. Because straight-load trailers can only fit two horses or less, they are usually sought after in the horse classifieds by buyers with few horses, or who rarely transport horses. The drawback for horse classified sellers, however, is that straight-load trailers have a lower resale value.
Stock trailer
Also known as an open trailer in the horse classifieds, a stock trailer is ideal for those with ranches or farms where livestock need to be hauled along with horses. Rather than standing in stalls, stock trailers are advertised on horse classifieds as being open spaces where the animals can wander as freely as space allows. This is an ideal arrangement for horses—especially stallions—that have trouble with stall confinement. Stock trailers sell well on the Southwest horse classifieds, a part of the country where dry, hot air makes closed-in trailers more uncomfortable. Another benefit of the stock trailer that often appears in the horse classifieds is the large amount of cargo space stock trailers offer. Stock trailers are also lighter, due to the absence of stalls, so they are less expensive to construct, making them a better deal for horse classified buyers. However, if you plan on taking your horses onto highways, or hauling them during extreme seasonal conditions, avoid being seduced by the low horse classifieds price tag.
