Horse Floats

Horse trailers or horse vans are also called horse floats in Australia and New Zealand or horse boxes in the British Isles. Horse floats are used to transport horses.

Different types and designs of horse floats

There are many different designs of horse floats, ranging in size from small units capable of holding two or three horses and can be pulled by a pickup truck or even an SUV; to horse floats with gooseneck designs that can carry six to eight horses, and are usually pulled by 1-ton dual-style pickups. Horse floats can also include large semi-trailers that can haul a significant number of animals.

Horse floats with gooseneck styles also have living quarters in the front for people to use. The least expensive type of horse floats is the stock trailer, a trailer designed for cattle that is enclosed at the bottom, but has slits at approximately the eye level of the animals to allow ventilation. Horse floats are trailers designed specifically for horses and are more elaborate in structure. Because horses are usually hauled for the purpose of competition or work where they must arrive in peak physical condition, horse floats are designed for the comfort and safety of these animals. Horse floats usually have adjustable vents and windows, as well as suspension designed to provide a smooth ride and less stress on the animals.

The first horse floats were said to be horse ambulances created by city fire departments to take their wounded but savable horses from the scenes of accidents back to the veterinarian at the firehouse.

Transporting horses by horse floats

Transporting horses by horse floats needs a cautious planning. Set up the horse floats properly. Make sure that the horse floats are correctly fitted and secured and that your towing vehicle is well suited to towing the weight. Run a total safety check, including brake lights, tire pressure and the amount of gas in your horse floats' tank. Make the horse floats look inviting to your horse. Horses are fundamentally claustrophobic and will rarely, if ever, walk into a small dark space. Prepare your horse for the ride. Load the horses into the horse floats. Lead the horse calmly up the ramp and into its individual chute. Secure your horse inside the horse floats. Close all doors and latch or lock them. Double-check the door or window of the horse floats that could swing out into a neighboring lane. Always remember to try and avoid tricky highways when transporting horses. Drive at or within the speed limit to avoid accidents. Keep in mind that any decision you make when towing horse floats could put your horse and your life at risk.