How to Choose a Commercial Horse Hauler
Of the various forms of commercial transport one of the most demanding is arguably that of horse transport. Strangely it also attracts the least qualified the most poorly equipped and the most fraudulent and dishonest operators. How does one wade through the ethical minefield created by illegitimate wannabes and scammers? I will offer a handful of tips to keep you and your horses safe...
To properly equip license and insure a commercial rig takes far more than just money although plenty of that does evaporate quickly. Rigs are seldom off the shelf ready so trucks need to be properly specd upgraded to required specifications with components to make towing their principal function. Rather than consumer grade trailers must be either custom or commercial specialty units both of which will have the design and accessories built in that genuine commercial transporters insist upon. These include onboard cameras provisions for horses to have free access to water and hay for longer runs plenty of headroom good ventilation and easy reconfiguration via movable dividers to name a few. A properly specd out Class 3 a one to threeton truck towing a four to sixhorse trailer combination will typically cost upwards of 200000. And thats not a typo its 120000 for a properly equipped truck and at least another 7500080000 for a commercial grade trailer. Step up to a Class 8 rig semitrailer and that figure almost triples by the time its on the road and actually producing revenue. These figures may offer a bit of insight into rates its not easy paying those rigs off!
Clean and shiny means proud. Its not always possible to keep a rig clean especially in the winter but responsible carriers are proud of their equipment and show it.
Trailer configuration should say professional. The pros know what works and why and they also know what horses need to travel in the least stressful environment. By far the least stressful accommodation for the horse is to be transported loose in a full box stall which allows free movement. The next best option is whats referred to as a stallandahalf or California stall essentially a standing stall that provides ample room for the horse to shift weight without coming into contact with a wall or divider. The smallest space is a single standing stall which as its name implies provides the horse with only enough room to stand in one spot.
Stall
