Hauling and Towing Horses Safely
A loaded horse trailer is heavy, and the horses move inside it. This guide covers the weight math for towing, the setup that keeps horses safe and how to estimate commercial shipping.
Know the numbers
A tow vehicle's manual lists its maximum towing capacity, the maximum tongue weight and the gross combined weight rating (GCWR). A trailer has its own gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The loaded trailer must be under all of these.
- Trailer empty weight. Often 2,000 to 3,500 pounds for a two-horse bumper pull, and much more for a gooseneck with a living quarters.
- Horses. Two 1,100 pound horses add 2,200 pounds. See How to Estimate Your Horse's Weight.
- Gear. Hay, water, tack and equipment can add several hundred pounds.
- Tongue weight. About 10 to 15 percent of trailer weight for a bumper pull and 15 to 25 percent for a gooseneck or fifth-wheel.
The Towing Capacity Calculator adds the trailer, horses and gear and compares the total with your vehicle's rating, and shows the tongue weight. A safe margin below the limit is better than loading to the limit, especially on hills.
| Example | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2-horse trailer, empty | 2,800 lb |
| Two horses at 1,100 lb | 2,200 lb |
| Hay, water, tack, gear | 500 lb |
| Total towed weight | 5,500 lb |
| Tongue weight at 12% | 660 lb |
Choosing a trailer
Bumper pull trailers are lighter and easier to store. Gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers sit over the truck bed, which usually tows more stably and carries more. Horses need room to keep their heads up and to balance: choose a trailer tall and long enough for your largest horse. The Trailer Finder helps match trailer style to your horses, vehicle and budget.
Before you leave
- Check tires, including the spare, and pressures; trailer tires age out even with tread left.
- Test lights, brakes and the brake controller, and check the hitch, safety chains and breakaway cable.
- Inspect the floor from above and below, since rot is hidden by mats.
- Load water and hay, and carry a first-aid kit for horses and people.
- Practice loading at home so that horses are calm.
On the road
- Drive smoothly. Accelerate, brake and corner gently, as horses brace against movement.
- Leave extra following distance, because loaded rigs take longer to stop.
- Keep the trailer ventilated. Trailers heat up quickly in sun and when stopped; see Heat Stress.
- Stop every 3 to 4 hours to check horses, offer water and let them rest, and avoid long unbroken trips without a break.
- Do not tie horses so short that they cannot balance, or so long that they can tangle.
Shipping a horse with a hauler
Commercial shipping is typically priced per loaded mile, with minimums and extras for stalls, layovers and short notice. Rates vary by company, season and route. The Horse Shipping Cost Calculator estimates a cost from the distance, the number of horses and the type of transport, so you can compare quotes. Always check that the hauler is insured, ask about health papers and Coggins test requirements for the states you cross, and plan ahead; many states require a certificate of veterinary inspection.
Use the Pounds to Kilograms Converter if your vehicle's ratings are listed in kilograms.
Common mistakes
- Using the tow vehicle's maximum rating without subtracting the weight of the horses and gear.
- Ignoring the tongue weight and the payload of the truck.
- Skipping brake and tire checks.
- Driving long distances without checking on the horses.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my truck can tow my horse trailer?
Add the weight of the empty trailer, horses, hay, water and gear, and compare it with the towing capacity, GCWR and tongue weight limits on your vehicle. Stay safely under the limits.
How much should the tongue weight be?
About 10 to 15 percent of the trailer's loaded weight for a bumper pull, and 15 to 25 percent for a gooseneck or fifth-wheel.
How often should I stop when hauling horses?
Roughly every 3 to 4 hours to check the horses, offer water and let them rest, more often in hot weather.
Tools used in this guide
More guides
- How to Estimate Your Horse's Weight Without a Scale
- Heat Stress: Using the Equine Heat Index to Keep Horses Safe
- Feeding Horses: Hay, Grain and Supplements
- Body Condition Scoring with the Henneke Scale
- All HorseCalcs guides
Figures in this guide are general guidance for planning. Every horse is different, so work with your veterinarian, farrier or trainer on health, hoof and training decisions, and read our disclaimer.