Rather than closing the doors and windows (often just sliding plastic with window screening behind it) to protect the horses from wind and weather, windows have increased in size and complexity. In addition, almost all trailers come with some kind of opening roof vents. Windows have expanded in width, from tiny 6-inch rectangles to square configurations that are much wider. They are installed with safety glass instead of Plexiglas or plastic.
Living Luxe on the Road
The single biggest trend in the past two decades in horse-trailer manufacturing is the addition of living quarters. These days you can have a trailer with a porta-potty, cowboy shower, sink, bed and air conditioner for an affordable price (called the weekender in the industry). Or you can go all out and have a fully equipped bath, kitchen, sleepers for four and even a gas fireplace.
The amenities are almost as astounding as their popularity. In the past it wasn't unusual to find horse trailers that their owners had modified to accommodate camping. These often crude setups were more like tent camping in a steel box.
It didn't take the trailer industry long to catch on, though, and the first production living quarters appeared on the scene a decade or so ago. Those were high-end affairs, often fabricated using manufacturers in the RV industry. Now, though, their popularity has grown so enormously that there's a living quarters setup for nearly every budget.
You've Come a Long Way, Baby
Engineers have been working tirelessly to improve automobiles and their components, and along the way the horse-trailer industry has borrowed plenty of innovations. It hasn't been left behind in price, either. From $1,500 in 1980 to $50,000 and more, horse trailers have become a major purchase. The finance industry has also evolved. Today, horse-trailer dealers have setups similar to car dealerships, where buyers can have their new horse trailer financed on the premises.
As for the future, look for the comfort and safety of horses to become the subject of more studies, and for manufacturers to continue to borrow from the car, truck and recreational vehicle industry (all substantially larger than the horse-trailer manufacturing business) for its innovations. There are plenty of reasons to purchase a newer horse trailer these days, from safer, stronger materials that protect the horse in the event of a crash, to the little extras that make life a little safer and more comfortable for people.
