Tell me everything about horse trailers and towing.

MDB

MDB

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Hello all,
I have zero experience with towing a horse trailer or moving horses. But I have been thinking more recently that maybe it is time to get a horse trailer, suitable for two 16hh horses.
So, what do I need to know? We have a 4x4 vehicle suitable for towing and OH and I have travelled a good amount towing a caravan, although our reversing skills need work!
I know nothing about horse trailer makes, maintenence, what to look for when inspecting them, how to travel horses, loading, unloading, safety for humans and horses etc, etc, etc. Also, do horse trailers need MOT's in UK? I am in Spain, so don't really have anywhere to go to look at some trailers nor have anybody who I can speak to for info. If we were going to get one it would probably be when we come back to UK over the winter for a brief family visit. So I would need to be fairly sure in advance of what I was looking for as we won't have weeks and weeks to take our time finding one.
Thank you all.
 
The only thing I can answer with certainty is that they don't need MOTs in the UK, although many people think they should.

But if you don't see many in Spain, you really need to check Spanish rules and laws in case they have benn regulated out of existence.

Then....what sort of 4x4? The weight they can tow varies hugely.

Then....how many horses are you planning on travelling? And how heavy are they?

Step by step.....:)
 
Hi turnbuckle,

Thanks for your reply. :)

I have a LandRover Discovery and will be towing two horses. 15hh and 16hh.

I realise I will need to check out Spanish legalities, which will be easy enough to do. There are horse trailers here, so they do exist, but value for money is not as good here as it is in the UK. Plus most of the ones I have seen on the road here I am not sure I would be happy with my dog travelling in. It will definitely be easier to buy in the UK for a variety of reasons.
 
Something that you might want to consider is that if you are buying one over here to use in Spain, any front ramps will open onto the direction of the road. (I don't seem to be able to make any sense today).

What I mean is that if you need to get a horse out in an emergency at the side of the road, the ramp from a trailer purchased for use over here will open out onto the road in Spain. Equitreks often open the opposite way which would work for you but it worries me about using them over here.
 
Hi Wimbles.
That's very interesting. And something I never thought of and worth taking into account.
I do live in a very rural part of Spain, and our primary use of the trailer would be to take the horses to other reasonably close locations for hacks, either with friends or alone just the OH and I. We would most likely be on very quiet roads, (well most of the roads are quiet here!) and not on dual carriageways or motorways. I think that if we did have an emergency and had to unload there shouldn't be an issue regarding which side I offload. Flip, nobody pays attention to road rules at the best of times here, double parking on zebra crossings, parking ON roundabouts, you name it. People will just pull over and stop anywhere here. But I will take a look at the Equitreks as you have made a very valid point. Thanks. :)
 
OK.....Discos vary. There should a plate telling you the GVW and the Max Towing Capacity. See what that says. Then weigh up your two - their weight plus the actual weight of the trailer will have to be within the towing capacity.....

Very good point about ramp opening side. The other thing which occurred is that a Spanish summers day could easily turn a trailer into a horse roaster.....worth thinking about insulated roofs and possibly even side panels.....?

Actual buying in the UK shouldn't be too hard. All the makers have dealers, who are unlikely to be the cheapest option but should offer a fair degree of re-assurance. One thought - Cheval Liberte and Fautras are worth considering and are much better represented in France....worth seeing what's on offer there?

As far as safe goes, the key word is GENTLE. It's illegal, but go for a ride in a trailer yourself to see how much balancing is needed! There's lot's of other stuff - for example have your two travelled before? If they're nervous, horses can get up over the breast bar. Worth making sure you have a collapsible one or one which can be released from the outside in an emergency.

There's a bit to work out, but it's all worth learning......
 
Hi turnbuckle,

3500kg. That should be alright, yeah?? Spot the clueless person!
Absolutely no idea how much my two weigh. None at all. One is 15hh ish PRE and currently on a diet. The other is a 16hh ish Lusitano who I am trying to keep weight on. Will get a friend to bring back a weigh tape from the UK! No idea what the weight of an average trailer is.

Good ventilation will be a must. Though in my wee corner of northern Spain the climate is more like the UK. We get better and warmer summers but not like the south of Spain where you fry. Temp today for example is 23 deg and sunny. But I know I will need to bear this in mind.

We will actually be going through France so I will take a look and see if there is anything there.

Both horses have travelled before... when we got them we paid for transport and delivery. But I have no idea how they were loading or during the journey. One unloaded fine and the other one fell out backwards from the trailer with much drama when she arrived. The larger one is bombproof and unflappable. I am confident she will load easily. The other is less confident and spooky, but very, very food motivated and can be easily trained and calmed with positive reinforcement and food rewards. I will just need to try with them both, and then work with what I have, taking however long it takes to get them to load and unload calmly. As for during travel I have no idea... can you tell from you car if your horse is having a paddy fit in the trailer??
 
I would recommend an Ifor Williams Trailer - I've just checked on their website and they've got three dealerships in Spain - Cadiz, Barcelona and Gijon.

They're very good quality and the older 505 (which would probably be big enough for your two horses) and 510 models are very robust and with parts easily purchased via eBay etc. I can't comment on the newer models.

Depending on your age you may need to take a trailer test for the UK - I don't know about Spain though.

If you're of an age that you don't need to take a driving test in the uk, I'd recommend you book up for a session or two of trailer training so you can polish up your reversing etc.

For towing horses, a great tip I was given is to imagine that you've got your grandma's most treasured vase sitting on your car's bonnet - you don't want to let it fall off! ie. threading the wheel through your hands on corners and think well ahead so that you never have to stop suddenly. Same goes for accelerating away - gently does it!

ETA: Take a look at the Rydale Horse Monitor on the web - I don't have one myself but have seen lots of recommendations. They're a wireless monitor with a camera/screen so you can see how your horses are travelling from within your car.
 
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Northern Hare said:
I would recommend an Ifor Williams Trailer - I've just checked on their website and they've got three dealerships in Spain - Cadiz, Barcelona and Gijon.

They're very good quality and the older 505 (which would probably be big enough for your two horses) and 510 models are very robust and with parts easily purchased via eBay etc. I can't comment on the newer models.

Depending on your age you may need to take a trailer test for the UK - I don't know about Spain though.

If you're of an age that you don't need to take a driving test in the uk, I'd recommend you book up for a session or two of trailer training so you can polish up your reversing etc.

For towing horses, a great tip I was given is to imagine that you've got your grandma's most treasured vase sitting on your car's bonnet - you don't want to let it fall off! ie. threading the wheel through your hands on corners and think well ahead so that you never have to stop suddenly. Same goes for accelerating away - gently does it!

ETA: Take a look at the Rydale Horse Monitor on the web - I don't have one myself but have seen lots of recommendations. They're a wireless monitor with a camera/screen so you can see how your horses are travelling from within your car.
Click to expand...


I love the tip about grandma's treasured vase! Lol. I don't think the imaginary vase would make it to the end of the gravel track where we join the main road! I can imagine it will be quite nerve wracking the first time out. The camera monitor thingy is an excellent idea. I will look into that definitely.

As for the actual process of travelling with horses. Can you feel the horses moving around in the trailer from the driver's perspective. I mean hopefully they won't be moving much, but is it like towing a caravan where it is just an object behind you, or does it feel different having two moving creatures in there? And secondly, do people tie the horses up or leave them loose in their stall thingys? And lastly, I have seen some trailers online that have the padded breast bar and tail bar thing, don't know the proper name. But I have also seen others with just a fabric tape thing that you pull over.... Although this was on the rear end, don't know what was on the front end. What is best in people's opinion?
Ok, couple more questions... What about protective wear for the horse? How important are those leg protector things? And food... Haynets or nothing? What else do you take with you when travelling? I would imagine first aid kit and water. But what else? Do you put shavings on the floor to absorb pee, or leave the floor bare? All beginner questions I am afraid. But all advice and opinions appreciated. Many thanks.
 
Hi, I have added my replies in curly brackets below!

"As for the actual process of travelling with horses. Can you feel the horses moving around in the trailer from the driver's perspective. I mean hopefully they won't be moving much, but is it like towing a caravan where it is just an object behind you, or does it feel different having two moving creatures in there? "

{my horse travels very quietly and even when I was towing two, you don't feel them moving. The Ifor Williams 505 trailer sits very stable on the road and you don't feel any movement, but I do tow very carefully and they never lose their balance}

"And secondly, do people tie the horses up or leave them loose in their stall thingys? "

{I always tie my horse up - all trailers have tie rings - always add some breakable string in case they do pull back}

"And lastly, I have seen some trailers online that have the padded breast bar and tail bar thing, don't know the proper name. But I have also seen others with just a fabric tape thing that you pull over.... Although this was on the rear end, don't know what was on the front end. What is best in people's opinion?"

{The Ifor William have plastic padded metal breast and breaching bars and they are an integral part of the trailer design. They are really important because if you have to stop suddenly (let's hope you don't have to!) they stop the horse hitting the front of the trailer. Equally the rear bars are really important when you are unloading from the rear of the trailer - when you open the back ramp the. Breaching bars prevent the horse reversing out until you are ready for them. I would personally recommend going for a trailer with metal bars front and rear.}

"Ok, couple more questions... What about protective wear for the horse? How important are those leg protector things? "

{this all depends on how well your horse travels. I would start off with some travel boots on, plus a rail bandage and tail guard.}

"And food... Haynets or nothing? "

{I usually take a haynet of haylage or soaked hay, but it depends on how far you are travelling.}

"What else do you take with you when travelling? I would imagine first aid kit and water. But what else?"

{I always take a bucket and container of water - for drinking and washing down. Obviously all your tack and grooming kit and first aid kit etc.}

"Do you put shavings on the floor to absorb pee, or leave the floor bare? "

{the Ifor Williams trailer I have has an aluminium floor with rubber mats on top. My horse has never pee'd in the trailer and he wouldn't even if it had shavings down, so I don't usually bother, unless it us a long journey.}

"All beginner questions I am afraid. But all advice and opinions appreciated. Many thanks."

{once you get your trailer! get it hitched up regularly and take it out a few times empty! and have plenty of practice reversing and manoeuvring it without horses on board. To introduce your horses to it, hitch it up, and just walk your horse through it a few times, rewarding each time they load. Build up to getting them to stand on the trailer and you can feed them on board.

It's important to always have the trailer hitched up when you are loading the horses even if you aren't going anywhere, because the car stabilises the trailer.

When you are ready take your horses out for short distances - perhaps to go out for a hack - and build up from there. Just take your time, I'm sure you'll soon get the hang of it quickly!}
 
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A quick google shows this from 2011:
http://www.tumbit.com/how-to-guides/articles/175-towing-trailers-in-spain-and-the-law.html

Trailers Over 750kg (Loaded)

- All trailers in Spain in this category are required to be registered independently of the Towing Vehicle, showing red coloured plates.

- Are required to hold a valid ITV.

- Are required to clearly display the registration plates of the towing vehicle.

- Are required to have Insurance separate to the towing vehicle.

- Are subject to payment of road tax.

- Are required to have the manufacturers plate affixed close to the Tow hitch.

*Cars towing a trailer of any size are limited to 80km/h (50 mph) on dual carriageways and motorways, and 70km/h (44 mph) on all other roads.

*Any vehicle stopped by the Guardia for towing a trailer that does not comply with the law will not only have the appropriates fines and penalties applied to it, but the trailer will be unable to continue it's journey with the car and as such accrue fees with the GRUA for forward delivery.

*In case of a car towing a caravan/trailer exceeding 12m, there must be two yellow reflectors at the rear of the towed caravan or trailer.

*Using an 'A-Frame' to Tow another car is strictly forbidden.

Bringing a trailer to Spain that was manufactured and purchased in the UK can be hugely problematic, complying with the law on towing trailer in Spain can be a little confusing, but it is important to be aware of the differences between UK and Spanish law. Ignorance is no argument in the eyes of the authorities and the Guardia can and will stop and fine anyone that they see to be towing a trailer that is in breach of the law.
 
Hi Northern Hare,

That is brilliant information. Thank you for taking the time to write this. Will definitelt need practice towing without the horses in it, and work slowly slowly with the horses until they are comfortable being in the trailer.
 
MDB said:
Hi Northern Hare,

That is brilliant information. Thank you for taking the time to write this. Will definitelt need practice towing without the horses in it, and work slowly slowly with the horses until they are comfortable being in the trailer.
Click to expand...

Thanks MDB - that's a pleasure! I forgot to add about reversing!

I used to have a major issue with reversing the trailer so booked up a session with an instructor and he taught me a method that I find so easy! Here goes!

Sit facing forwards with your wing mirrors adjusted so you can see the trailer clearly in each.

Now this is the really important bit! Place your hands at the bottom half of the steering wheel.

Start reversing very slowly.
Still facing forward, if you want to see the trailer come round into your right hand wing mirror, move your hands to your right hand mirror. And vice versa for the left.

That's it - it sounds simple because it is!!
 
Northern Hare said:
Thanks MDB - that's a pleasure! I forgot to add about reversing!

I used to have a major issue with reversing the trailer so booked up a session with an instructor and he taught me a method that I find so easy! Here goes!

Sit facing forwards with your wing mirrors adjusted so you can see the trailer clearly in each.

Now this is the really important bit! Place your hands at the bottom half of the steering wheel.

Start reversing very slowly.
Still facing forward, if you want to see the trailer come round into your right hand wing mirror, move your hands to your right hand mirror. And vice versa for the left.

That's it - it sounds simple because it is!!
Click to expand...

That is great! Thank you sooo much. You make reversing sound easy. I won't go into too much detail about the time we entered the wrong toll booth on a Spanish motorway at 10pm towing the caravan. Had to reverse out. You would think it would be easy but we ended up at 90 degrees to the lanes of the motoraway. Straddling about 4 lanes. Guardia Civil had to stop the traffic for us until we sorted ourselves out! Embarrasing.. very! Reversing will need LOTS of practice and maybe a lesson or two. Your method sounds so easy so I will give it a go! :D
 
I think I might have had the same instructor as Northern Hare, he taught me the same method and it works.
Personally, I would be looking at a 510 rather than a 505 for horses that size. I did have a 505 and my 14.1 cob wasn't happy in it. I changed to a 510,as it is wider and has more head room, plus a wider ramp, and he is happy as Larry in it now. He probably found the smaller trailer claustrophobic and as he is quite stocky.
 
Does the 510 have as good ventilation as the 511 though? I have a 506 and the sliding Windows and roof ventilation are a great help at keeping the horses cool.

OP - are you looking at buying new or second hand? There will be a whole load of other questions to ask if you're looking at second hand.
 
I would normally recommend a bateson but as you're going to be using it in Spain I would suggest an ifor Williams as they unload on the right?!? Therefore they would unload onto the pavement side in spain. If that's not an issue I went in an equitrek,ifor Williams, rice, cheval liberte and bateson before buying all driven by the same person in the same car on the same road. The bateson was by far the comfiest and easiest to balance in!
 
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