As a loving horse owner, you will know that transferring your beloved equine can be tricky business. Horses are claustrophobic and don’t appreciate being put into any situation that will stop their ability to sprint. Therefore, we’re sure you’ve had your fair share of trouble loading your horse into your float.
That aside, they must be safe once they (eventually) enter the trailer. With this in mind, here are five features your float must have for your horse to be transported safely:
- Proper ventilation
When looking for top quality floats for sale, the first thing to look for is proper ventilation. This is imperative for transportation and especially in the summer when your horse is at risk of overheating. Proper ventilation helps create a more calming and comfortable transportation environment. What’s more, it reduces the threat of respiratory problems that could occur due to poor ventilation.
Therefore, your desired trailer must have roof openings, vents and windows, allowing fresh air to blow freely into the trailer whilst removing any dirt, dust and other debris that could upset them during transportation.
- Plenty of room to move
As aforementioned, your horse probably doesn’t want to find themselves in the back of the trailer for hours on end. But your trailer needs plenty of room to move for them to adjust to their surroundings and feel more at ease during transportation. You will need an even bigger trailer if you have a large horse as they need plenty of room to adjust upon entering the trailer.
What’s more, you should find a trailer that provides plenty of natural light and is painted in bright colours. If your horse feels they are confined to a darkened, claustrophobic space they may become very upset. Therefore, you should opt for brightly-lit and painted trailers that allow plenty of room for movement.
- Strong design & materials
You should always inquire about the design and materials used in manufacture. After all, a horse float is, in itself, a road vehicle, and must be well-designed and built with strong materials like steel and aluminium to ensure its safety.
Furthermore, a sturdy design will feel safer for your horse, as they are strong and steady on the road. So, be sure to take a thorough inspection of the trailer’s design, including its frame, ceiling and walls, whilst inquiring about the materials used to construct the trailer.
- A safe braking system
Regardless of whether they are electric or hydraulic brakes, your braking system plays an imperative part in both yours and your horse’s safety. A solid braking system ensures that the journey will be smooth and cruisy whilst providing optimised control. You should consider prioritising your braking system and truck size with the right trailer size.
- A wide loading range
As twice aforementioned, horses do not like being loaded onto a trailer. This is especially so if the trailer’s loading range is small as this can upset your horse or even cause injury. They need plenty of room to comfortably enter the float as you don’t want them becoming tempestuous at this risky moment. A quality trailer producer understands this very well and produces trailers accordingly. Therefore, always inquire about the loading range and whether it will accommodate your horse’s particular size.
So, be sure to check for these imperative safety features when purchasing your trailer. They will go a long way to ensuring a safe and comfortable journey for you and your beloved horse!
