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Trailer Equipment

Q: What is suitable for horse trailer maintenance?

A horse trailer must be taken to the MOT (Ministry of Transport) test as regularly as the towing vehicle, to confirm its safety and check for leaks, rotten spots, loose screws, etc. With good horse trailer maintenance, a lot can already be done for the safety and preservation of the trailer. Horse trailers can be made from different materials: in addition to full-poly trailers, there are also wood-poly trailers or horse trailers made from lightweight aluminium. They usually have a plastic roof that must withstand all weather conditions and sunlight. Algae, moss, insects, and grime can build up on the roof if the cleanliness of the horse trailer is not properly maintained. With SHOWMASTER's Poly-Cleaner for Trailers, you can do more than just clean the roof of your trailer. The nourishing ingredients build a protective shield and provide a water-beading effect, so that the surface remains intact for a long time and does not become brittle or cracked. Note: For cleaning, spraying with a normal garden hose is sufficient. Pressure washers could damage the trailer's sealant, which can lead to moisture damage. After each trailer journey, the interior of the horse trailer should also be thoroughly cleaned. Bedding, ideally shavings, is mandatory for every transport, as it can already absorb some of the urine and faeces. After unloading the horse, the old bedding should be completely removed and the floor then hosed down. Important: The floor must be allowed to dry thoroughly. Wooden floors must be checked for damp, soft spots. In the worst case, the horse could then break through the trailer floor. If you are transporting multiple horses in succession or had to take your horse to the clinic, treatment with a disinfectant is recommended.

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What is suitable for horse trailer maintenance?

A horse trailer must be taken to the MOT (Ministry of Transport) test as regularly as the towing vehicle, to confirm its safety and check for leaks, rotten spots, loose screws, etc. With good horse trailer maintenance, a lot can already be done for the safety and preservation of the trailer.
Horse trailers can be made from different materials: in addition to full-poly trailers, there are also wood-poly trailers or horse trailers made from lightweight aluminium. They usually have a plastic roof that must withstand all weather conditions and sunlight. Algae, moss, insects, and grime can build up on the roof if the cleanliness of the horse trailer is not properly maintained. With SHOWMASTER's Poly-Cleaner for Trailers, you can do more than just clean the roof of your trailer. The nourishing ingredients build a protective shield and provide a water-beading effect, so that the surface remains intact for a long time and does not become brittle or cracked.
Note: For cleaning, spraying with a normal garden hose is sufficient. Pressure washers could damage the trailer's sealant, which can lead to moisture damage.
After each trailer journey, the interior of the horse trailer should also be thoroughly cleaned. Bedding, ideally shavings, is mandatory for every transport, as it can already absorb some of the urine and faeces. After unloading the horse, the old bedding should be completely removed and the floor then hosed down. Important: The floor must be allowed to dry thoroughly. Wooden floors must be checked for damp, soft spots. In the worst case, the horse could then break through the trailer floor.
If you are transporting multiple horses in succession or had to take your horse to the clinic, treatment with a disinfectant is recommended.

How can I safely transport my horse in a trailer?

Travelling in a horse trailer can be stressful for a flight animal. While standing in confined space and unable to observe its surroundings, it must simultaneously balance itself. Injuries can occur, especially in horses inexperienced in transport, if they make a misstep. Suitable safety equipment is crucial for transporting horses in a trailer. This includes:

A sturdy, wide headcollar protects the horse's sensitive poll when high pulling forces may occur during jolts, curves, or over potholes. The ideal headcollar would be softly padded. Ensure that the tether chain allows the horse sufficient freedom of movement to balance but is not so long that the horse can turn around. To prevent the horse from getting caught in the chain links, the links should ideally be covered with a rubber hose. For secure tying, there are tether chains with a snap hook on one side and a panic snap on the other. Alternatively, you can use a lead rope with a panic snap. Ensure it is the correct length so the horse cannot get tangled. With tether chains, the ideal length is already preset.
Thickly padded travel boots, extending from the knees or hock joints to the ground and shielding the leg, are an absolute must for transporting horses. Bell boots can provide additional protection, especially during unloading, as the horse might step past the loading ramp and injure itself.
To maintain balance more easily, many horses lean their croup against the rear boundary bar. A tail guard protects the tailhead from abrasions. Depending on the weather, outside temperature, and stress level of the horse, a wicking rug or wind-resistant turnout rug with fleece lining can protect against draughts and chills. Any sweat is better absorbed and wicked away.
Additionally, safe transport of a horse in a trailer involves regularly practising loading and travelling in small steps. For tips on safe and stress-free loading acclimation for young horses, refer to our Guide on Loading Training.

How can one best secure the horse trailer?

Once the horse transport has been safely completed, the horse trailer can be parked. Ideally, it should be on a hard, level parking area and not on a meadow. The latter is not suitable as a trailer parking space due to moisture from below, which can be particularly detrimental to trailers with wooden floors.
To ensure the horse trailer remains in place, the jockey wheel is first lowered. The handbrake is only applied if the trailer is parked for a short period. If it is left for an extended time, it is better to release the handbrake and instead secure the wheels with chocks.
Additionally, covering the horse trailer with a tarpaulin is recommended to prevent excessive exposure to sunlight and moisture.
For those who cannot always keep an eye on their trailer and wish to protect it from theft, a trailer coupling lock can be fitted over the hitch.

How can you make the horse trailer theft-proof?

Horse trailers can be secured against theft with various lock types:

Trailer coupling lock
Plug lock
Hasps and bolt locks
Ball lock

Plug locks offer the least security when it comes to theft protection for horse trailers. Ball locks are also easy to manipulate and therefore unsuitable for adequate theft protection.
Hasps and bolt locks are placed over the trailer coupling from above, including the handle, preventing the coupling from being opened.
Trailer coupling locks are widely used for securing horse trailers as they provide a good level of security. A sturdy steel box is fitted over the trailer coupling and locked with a crossbar. This makes it impossible for potential thieves to release the trailer coupling.
When taking out insurance for your horse trailer, check whether a certified theft protection is mandatory.
At Kramer Equestrian, you can purchase a sturdy lock for your trailer from Kramer in the form of a trailer coupling lock. It is easy to install and fits almost all trailer couplings.