Hi. I’m moving to Florida in the spring and have no experience hauling horses in hot, humid climates. Stock trailers were recommended, but I’d like to get more opinions. If you’re from Florida or another sauna-like state, I’d really appreciate your input!
To narrow things down a bit, I’m focusing on a two horse bumper pull trailer, but am open to suggestions.
Thanks!
Yes, stock trailers are the way to go, if you can store the trailer where it won’t get wet. The excessive rain is not good for any trailer, even aluminum as your floor will rot out due to rain and time.
Many people like having a tack room to sleep in (or camp). Something to consider if you want to go camping.
I’m in Central Florida and have a Brenderup. I love it down here because my horses are never hot when they come off it and the trailer has great ventilation while driving.
If/when I upgrade to a larger trailer I’ll 100% get a stock trailer for the increased ventilation and brightness.
I agree with the poster above who would store the trailer somewhere it can’t get wet. I have a car port to store mine but a friend with a stock type had custom fiberglass “windows” made for her stock slats to keep the rain out of the inside.
A quick note for FL trailers, always have wasp spray handy if the trailer sits for more than a week. I may just have opportunistic wasps but I have issues with them taking up residence inside the trailer.
How about fans in the trailer?
I have a stock combo bumper pull. Live in NW FL. It’s certainly airy enough. If you end up driving through a down pour, always possible here, your horses will get wet. The tack room portion of my stock combo stays pretty dry, even if parked out in the elements. You can by covers for trailers as well as just covers for the tires. The sun is killer on tires here. A carport or other covered parking is of course ideal. But a dry parking pad, gravel etc, and a fabric cover will get the job done.
White/silver/light colored trailer. Still boggles my mind to see black/red/blue trailers being sold in the hot states.
I have a Hawk 2H BP trailer that is very cool. It has a fiberglass roof, which makes a big difference. It also has lots of windows, including windows in the front of the trailer and a window in the front interior wall which allows air flow from those front windows. It also has big side windows and windows in the back, so if you open everything there is quite a bit of airflow that can go through the trailer to keep horses cool.
Before I had the Hawk I had a Featherlite trailer and the horses would often come out of that one hot and sweaty. I have yet to pull a sweaty horse out of the Hawk.
our steel trailer that is white, just washing and polishing the roof drops the internal temps greatly
When it is very hot here in Texas we would travel at night then let the horses rest during the days
(my thought on adding fans is unless ventilation is improved you are just making the interior into a convention oven)
An EquiBreeze made by the fine folks at EquiSpirit is perfect for the heat of the South. www.equispirit.com
ADORE mine in hot, humid, muggy Georgia
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1071414660589&type=3
I think the same; the blowing air needs to be cooler than the body temperature, in order to cool the body.
For example, fans are not recommended for humans in temps higher than 95F:
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/6594/
Horses naturally run a little warmer, temperature-wise, than humans. Still, I’m concerned about blowing hot air over my horses, especially if we’re at a stop (in traffic, waiting at a light or for a train, etc.).
I prefer a trailer designed to be well-ventilated, rather than fans.
Thank you, everyone! This has given me a lot to think about and research. I appreciate the input!
roof vents and big windows and open rear doors above the ramp. I have two roof vents above each stall. Trailer still gets hot. I had a Trailers USA bumper pull in which the wall between tack room and stalls did not go all the way up to the roof - and if I opened the windows in the nose, it was quite breezy for the horses going down the road. My new gooseneck is not like that unfortunately.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
