It absolutely ununsual and also forbidden for human beings to be transported in trailers with a central single- or twin axle. Thus, in the case of a horse-trailers, there are special demands made, which go over and above the demands made of goods-transporting trailers. If indeed, one would like to be near one's animal during the trip, then one won't get around buying a suitable trailer.

Now, how heavy is a horse, and what should one assume from the description “a one-and-a-half-horse-trailer“? Not the easiest of questions to answer, since the weight can vary between about 100 kgs for a pony, and in extreme cases, 1100 kgs or more for a large horse. So, with a trailer for one and a half horses, you could transport one large horse and a pony or a foal.

In motor technology, the concept of one horsepower of performance is well known. This corresponds to 0,74 kW and is easily exceeded by heavy work-horses, also over a longer period of time, whereby ponies, can barely achieve about half that amount. Over a short term, depending on the type of horse, even 20-30 horsepower is possible. You can easily work out, just how much of a power-house you've got in the trailer behind you.

This is probably where the rule comes from, that a person may not be trapped in a room with one or two horses if the person does not have the possibility to easily leave the room without endangering her-/himself. At least therefore, does a horse-trailer, apart from the large entrance ramp for the horse, also have an access door, mostly on the side, which also makes entering the trailer possible during the important breaks in the journey.

As already mentioned, with horses there are vast weight differences, much greater than with people. This must be taken into consideration when deciding on the suspension and the galvanised chassis. It is fortunate that, as far as horses are concerned, their weight can be distributed evenly between the front and the rear. Together with the slightly tapered front-end, a certain amount, but not too much strain is placed on the drawbar.

With the generally at least about 700-800 kg of payload, the tare weight, also because of the large super-structure can hardly underbid these values, making the overrun brake an absolute must. Assuming the use of motor car tyres, it has to have a twin-axle, which also improves the handling. Two-horse trailers may then also need reinforced tyres.

To save weight, syntetic materials are used, e.g., for the wheel housings and the roofing. Multilayer plating gives the side-walls the necessary stability. As far as the flooring is concerned, slip resistance and easy cleaning must be considered. All in all, the service life is very important, since to justify the high price, a horse trailer may be extensively used. In comparison to a caravan, it is probably found a lot more often in commercial operations.

The protection against external weather influences and sufficient ventilation or airing is quite similar to that of a caravan. In addition, it has a certain amount of variability, e.g., with the middle partitioning. Apart from the precautions to be taken against possible injury, a suitable amount of foresightedness when driving and a towing vehicle which is more than large enough is advisable. Give it a moments thought, also the expensive tournament horses are transported in this manner.

Saddle room is called the from front lateral accessible space with light, e.g. during breaks, in which on special holders the saddles can be stored. Here is of course also for other paraphernalia place, such as different horse blankets, which horses partly need while driving.

Generally, a manufacturer of horse trailers is usually busy only with the superstructure and thus apparently enough to do. The chassis with all the requirements, e.g. of load capacity and security is often supplied, for example, by Alko. 11/12