In today’s blog post, we will answer the following question: How wide is a horse trailer stall? We will discuss horse trailer dimensions, law requirements and safety concerns.

How wide is a horse trailer stall?

Standard horse trailer stalls are 6’ wide and 7’6’’ tall and 10’ long. Horse trailer stalls should be wide enough for the horse to lie down comfortably. Depending on the size of the horse, they should be at least 5 feet wide and 7’8” long.

There is usually a hay manger at the front of the trailer, so the width of this must also be considered. Moreover, regardless of the material with which they are built, the floors must have a slope of 2%. This slope must be as far away from the door to facilitate adequate drainage, forming the sewer to facilitate cleaning.

It is important that your horse trailer stall has the above mentioned dimensions but also that you respect certain requirements to ensure your horse(s) safety and well-being:

For one horse trailers:

The minimum area in the horse trailer stall must allow the horse to lie down, eat and move around;

The area of the farrowing trailers as well as the trailers for mares with a foal over the age of two month, must represent at least 130% of the minimum surface;

For two or more horse trailers:

The area requirement for a group of horses corresponds to the sum of the minimum areas for a single horse. In the case of large groups, the minimum area for the horse stall can be calculated on the basis of the average of the heights at the withers of the horses in the group, multiplied by the number of horses.

For the groups of five or more horses that get along well (no frequent and aggressive arguments causing injuries), the total surface area can be reduced by a maximum of 20%.

Horse trailer stalls floor requirements:

The layout of the floor of the exit areas depends on the size and the number of horses staying there, of use depending on weather conditions and intensity of use. Each exit area must meet the following requirements:

minimal risk of animals injuring themselves;
an area with a pressure-resistant floor (depression of the shoe not exceeding the crown), when the animals regularly stay several hours in a row on the exit area;
no significant soiling (eg droppings or urine).

Large exit areas, and in particular pastures, can also be used without consolidation, provided that they meet the criteria mentioned above.

For relatively small and intensively used exit areas (order of magnitude: 2 times (double the height at the withers) 2), the ground must be arranged in such a way as to allow the water flow, provide a good grip and be easy to maintain. Examples of surface planning: sand bed, wood chips, non-slip paving stones, covered wooden paving of sand, perforated tiles in synthetic material.

How to choose a horse trailer with the right dimensions?

An ideal horse trailer comes equipped with premium quality wheels and tires that range from 13 to 14 inches depending on the type of trailer. In addition, to prevent the trailer from moving when left in static, they include a brake so that the horses do not suffer any mishaps.

A good horse trailer offers different capacities depending on the horse transport needs. The smallest is capable of carrying up to 1600 lbs. And the largest should have a capacity of up to 5000 lbs.

Therefore, analyze the characteristics of your animals and select the product that best suits your requirements from our wide range of horse trailers.

When it comes to horse trailers types, we must mainly distinguish the following three:

Open: When looking for horse vans and trailers, one of the most typical is the open one, as long as we only carry one horse at a time. This type of trailer is ideal and more than enough for short distances since, in addition, it has the smallest size of the types detailed here. It is a very practical trailer.

Cabin: It is an ideal trailer for trips that are going to be a little longer. However, to perfectly care for the animal, it is also recommended for short distances. One of the peculiarities it has is its ventilation system, which is very beneficial for the horse and very useful when looking for good vans and horse trailers.

In addition, it has a platform on which the roof and the cabin door are arranged, which in turn protects it from all kinds of weather adversities, both water and sun. On the other hand, it even includes food and water dispensers. It is suitable for one or two horses, depending on the model.

Combined: When we are unable to decide on one of the two above, the best option is a combined trailer. It is open, just like the first option we have proposed. However, it can be adapted to the cabin shape, so that the horse is better secured.

The roof they have is canvas and, for their part, the railings are a little higher. When we are going to go short distances and the previous option seems too much, but we want to take care of the animal from adverse weather conditions, this can be a good choice. It can also help us to travel long distances on time.

What trailer size do I need for my horse?

The most suitable trailer for horses is the one that gives the animal comfort and safety when transporting. We care that your horse or mare is in good health when travelling. For this reason, we will give you the best recommendations so that you can choose the best equine transport.

Trailer size: Make sure the trailer is roomy enough for your horse, it is also important to note that horses grow quickly. Not all horse breeds have the same wingspan.
Trailer material: The most resistant material is steel, it is anti-rust and resists animal waste. In addition, it is important that the material is easy to clean.
Hydration accessories: A good horse trailer has a water and food dispenser, this is very important especially for long-distance trips.
Windows: if the trailer is a cabin trailer, it is important that it has vents so that the horse is in a cool environment.
Mooring anchor: The trailer you buy must have a mooring anchor so that the horse is safe
Fastening to the car: make sure that the trailer you buy adapts to the ball of your car.
If the trailer has a MAM of more than 1,600 lbs, it is mandatory to be registered in traffic insurance and pass the technical inspection periodically.
Inertia brake: it must be stated that a good braking system.
Wheel size: large horse walk or not walk.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right horse trailer is an important factor and you must do your research well. When measuring a horse trailer you must find the height of the trailer, the interior dimensions of the storage options, and the exterior dimensions. The dimensions of a horse trailer vary widely, so make sure you choose the right one!

For more advice on how to buy the right horse trailer check our other articles on the same topic, or feel free to get in contact.

FAQ on How wide is a horse trailer stall?

How tall is a small horse trailer?

A small horse trailer can be from 7′ to 7’6″ tall, depending on the brand and the type of trailer, whether it is a standard straight load or a custom-build load, for example.

How big is a 2 horse trailer?

A standard 2 horse trailer is 6’ width, 7’ tall and has a stall length of 10’. Of course, depending on the horse trailer brand and model, it can vary in size and the weight is capable of holding.

How many horses can fit in a trailer?

Up to six horses can fit in a trailer, depending on the size and model of the trailer. When transporting more than one horse, the minimum height inside the compartments must exceed the height at the withers of the tallest animal by at least 30 inches (almost 75 cm).

How tall is a draft horse trailer?

A draft horse trailer should be at least 8’ tall. A draft horse weighs on average 1,400 to 2,000 lb and has a height of 16 to 19 hands (64 to 76 inches) As these are heavy horses, you will need a spacious trailer to transport the horse in safety and comfort.

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How wide is a horse trailer stall?