Connecting the Trailer to a Vehicle

• A horse trailer is typically a large framed trailer capable of transporting from one to several horses. A smaller trailer designed for one or two horses will feature a tongue or A frame built horizontally from the front of the trailer itself. There is a ball hitch receiver mounted to the A frame which attaches over a ball hitch mounted to a vehicle. Larger trailers, capable of transporting four or more horses will typically feature a Fifth wheel system. The trailer will be elevated in the front so that it will ride over the top of a truck bed. Mounted to the trailer, near the front will be a ball receiver that mounts down inside the bed of a truck. This hitch system and trailer configuration is capable of supporting much more weight than a tongue hitch setup.
  
  

Horse Loading

• Loading a horse, or horses, into a trailer will vary upon the size, number of horses, and design of the trailer. However, there a basics shared by all. The trailer will feature either a rear door or side door for loading. The trailer may also feature a ramp which may be lowered to allow horses to walk into the trailer if it is too high off the ground. Horses are led into the trailer and secured in stalls. The stalls, again are specific to the manufacturer, will generally feature at least a mid height wall to separate horses from one another in multi horse configurations. There will be padding to protect the horse from injury during transportation. A variety of storage bins and hooks will typically be available for equipment and tack.
  
  

Living with Horses

• Some larger horse trailers may be equipped with all the necessities of a barn and more. There may be a small tack room, room for feed, and other equipment needed for a equine road trip. Some trailers even provide small camper style living compartments for humans. This is a particularly beneficial feature to those who may be attending a horse event and local accommodations are scarce. It is also attractive to those who wish to remain near their horses at an event.