Horse trailer or livestock trailer: what's the difference?

At first glance, horse trailers and livestock trailers look similar – both transport animals safely from A to B. Look closer, though, and you'll find clear structural differences that matter for the animals' wellbeing.

Padding and bars on a horse trailer

A horse trailer like the PA 2000 has padded breast and rear bars that cushion the animal under braking or in bends. Horses react more sensitively to jolts than cattle, which is why this protection is often missing, or built differently, on a pure livestock trailer.

Partitions and flooring

Livestock trailers for cattle like the VT 2700 use sturdy, easy-to-clean partitions and a continuous anti-slip floor for herd transport. Horse trailers are often divided more narrowly to give individual horses stability while travelling, rather than leaving several animals standing loose.

Can I transport cattle in a horse trailer – or vice versa?

In principle, both trailer types can be used outside their intended purpose, provided the gross weight fits. It's only advisable to a point, though: a horse trailer rarely gives cattle enough room to move for herd transport, while a pure livestock trailer often doesn't offer horses the impact protection they need.

Conclusion

Choose the trailer type based on the animal you mostly transport. For mixed use, look closely at the exact fit-out – padding, partitions and flooring determine your animals' comfort and safety.