Alternatives to Horse Trailer Rental: Compare Transport Options & Costs

Horses are majestic creatures. They’re the quintessential animals that humans love to feature in movies, television shows and novels. They’re trusted, intelligent animals people rely on. When it comes to transporting horses though, things can get a little overwhelming — especially if you need to consider a horse trailer rental.

Many people own dogs and cats as pets and it’s fairly easy to transport them. There may be some legal requirements, but it’s mostly a straightforward process. However, when we’re dealing with horses, because they are larger animals, it’s a bit more complicated. Horses need to be transported with more equipment and there are a lot more logistical considerations.

There are a number of reasons why you may need to transport a horse. 

• Maybe you just bought a horse from out of state. 
• Or there’s a sudden emergency and your cherished horse needs to be transported to a vet. 
• Transporting a horse to a competitive event.

Whatever the reason, transporting your horse usually involves a trailer. However, purchasing a trailer can be expensive, complicated and for many horse owners, unnecessary. Luckily there are more affordable alternatives that can make the transport easier. 

Why Horse Trailer Rental Isn’t Worth It for Most Owners

When thinking about horse transportation, there’s always one thing that pops into your mind: getting a trailer to transport the animal. However, trailers can be a burden when you only have to transport a horse once or if you rarely  need to transport them.

There are things you have to consider when having a trailer when you don’t do much horse transport.

• The wear and tear of the trailer.
• The maintenance of the trailer.
• Where to store the trailer when not using it.
• The initial cost of purchasing a trailer.

Horses also hate trailers. You may think they seem okay with it, but according to a recent study, horses are stressed and overwhelmed when put into trailers. There are indicators that you can pay attention to to find out if your horse is stressed: they lick the trailer, they pull back when you are hauling them to the trailer and they paw or turn their head.

Risk of Trailer Damage and Unexpected Costs

Because of the above information, the risk of damaging the trailer and losing money (because you have to pay for damages or even purchase the damaged trailer) is immense. It’s smart to have trailer insurance to avoid paying for the trailer if your horse damages it, or there is a road accident that damages it.

You Handle All Driving, Loading, and Logistics

At the end of the day, the burden of transporting your horse is on you. This is your horse, after all. Because of that, it can be an overwhelming process. 

There are various alternatives where you can avoid having to do it yourself — whether you rent or buy the trailer. These alternatives are companies that specialize in horse transportation and will provide you with the services that you need.

Hiring a Horse Transport Company

So, with this information, it’s smart to see alternatives you have. You can go with a traditional horse transport company. These companies are known for transporting horses, which can make your life easier, as they provide an abundance of information at your disposal.

The first step is Googling and researching good horse transport companies. And like always, looking at reviews of these companies is a smart idea in order to avoid surprises. You can google to find reviews or join Facebook groups that provide you with discussions on the best horse transport companies.

What to Look for in a Horse Transport Company

1. Service area: Most horse transporters have weekly routes that are posted on their website, so make sure you look at their schedule because they could haul your horse to your destination even if they are not in your vicinity or the vicinity of the drop-off location.
2. Company/Driver qualifications: Horse transport companies should be qualified and have proper licenses and insurance. They’ll also mandate their drivers have horse hauling experience and a Class A CDL license.
3. Extra Services they Provide: If they provide door-to-door service, private charter shipping, tracking updates, and special date shipments, those are good companies to go with, as they go the extra mile in ensuring good customer service.
4. Commitment to Safety: Make sure you look for a company that ensures the safety of the horse is their number one priority.
5. Costs: Good companies to look after are those that provide costs up front and there are no surprises to their final total bill.
6. Good customer service: This is a no-brainer because it shows the customer is dedicated to providing the best service possible to their customers. Look after those companies that treat you with respect from beginning to end.

CitizenShipper: A Marketplace Alternative to Trailer Rental

There are a variety of ways to transport a horse. But after looking at all the options, consider using an innovative horse transport marketplace like CitizenShipper! Our platform offers many advantages over traditional options.

• Once you post a listing on our site, a fleet of background-checked and USDA-registered drivers will send you quotes instantly, usually within minutes. 
• You can compare bids and chat with several drivers across our horse transport network, and once you choose the driver you like the best, you’re ready to book your trip.
• There is a modest fee that varies per mileage, which accounts for our vetting process.

We pride ourselves in making pet shipping run safely, seamlessly and stress-free. Your beloved and prized horse will be in good hands with our qualified drivers, who provide frequent updates along the journey.

Because drivers compete for your business, we can save you up to 60-70% compared to traditional shipping companies! CitizenShipper also provides some added benefits for you so you’re even calmer — up to $1000 Pet Protection Guarantee, a Booking Assurance Guarantee and 24/7 TeleVet access through our partner Vetster.

Horse Transport Cost Per Mile: 2026 Rates

Transporting a horse is much more expensive than transporting a pet like a dog or a cat. Because house pets are smaller, they require less planning and the logistical aspect is less intense. When it comes to horses, there are a lot of variables you have to consider when doing the transport.

The cost of transporting a horse will depend on the type of equipment the horse is on — whether it is a trailer, wagon, or other type of vehicle. The other variable is pretty straight-forward. Distance will be a determining factor in how much it will cost to transport a horse. Most companies charge about $2.25 per mile, but if the journey is less than 1000 miles, then the average decreases to a dollar less, at $1.25 per mile.

Traditional horse transporting companies will usually provide you with all the costs before pickup and delivery. So if you’re transporting a horse, make sure you know the mileage of the journey in order to get a rough idea of how much the total cost will be. 

Can You Rent a Horse Trailer? (What to Expect)

Yes, horse trailer rentals are widely available from farm equipment dealerships, trailer rental companies, livestock equipment businesses, and even private owners through local rental marketplaces. Renting a trailer can be a practical option if you already own a suitable tow vehicle and only need to transport a horse occasionally.

Rental rates typically range from $75 to $250 per day, depending on the trailer size, whether it’s a bumper-pull or gooseneck model, your location, and the rental duration. While the daily rate may seem affordable, additional costs such as fuel, insurance, mileage charges, and security deposits can significantly increase the total expense.

Before renting, you’ll need a tow vehicle with adequate towing capacity, a properly installed trailer hitch, and, for many larger trailers, an electronic brake controller. Rental companies often verify that your vehicle is equipped to safely tow the trailer before approving the rental.

Most rental providers also require proof of insurance or offer optional coverage for an additional fee. It’s common to pay a refundable security deposit, and you’ll be responsible for any damage that occurs during the rental period.

Although renting a trailer can work well for experienced horse owners, many people find the process impractical. Towing a horse trailer requires confidence, experience, and familiarity with safely loading, transporting, and unloading horses. For long-distance moves or owners who don’t regularly tow livestock trailers, hiring a professional horse transporter is often a simpler, safer, and less stressful alternative.

Horse Trailer Rental vs. Hiring a Transporter: Cost Comparison

For horse owners, renting a trailer isn’t always the most economical option once fuel, insurance, and equipment requirements are factored in. If you don’t already own a capable tow vehicle—or aren’t comfortable hauling horses yourself—a professional transporter may offer better overall value and peace of mind.

If you already own the proper towing equipment and regularly haul horses, renting a trailer may make sense for occasional local trips. However, for many owners, professional transport eliminates the need to tow, navigate unfamiliar roads, and manage loading logistics. CitizenShipper offers another option by allowing you to post your shipment for free and receive competitive quotes from experienced, background-checked horse transporters, making it easy to compare pricing and choose the service that best fits your schedule and budget.

Equipment to Prepare for Your Horse’s Transport

Having the right equipment to transport your horse is something that is essential for you and the transporter. Here are some equipment recommendations:

Debialo Horse Tie Ring

• It provides a safe and humane way to tie up a horse when it’s needed.
• You can use these rings with various ways of ties and can be used in many locations.

Horse Grooming Kit (10 pieces)

• This ten piece horse grooming kit consists of: a playboy body brush, a flexible and finishing brush, a sweat scraper, a mane and tail brush, a comb, a heavy hoof pick and cleaning sponge, a grooming glove and a portable storage box. 
• The grooming gloves have bristle tips to make it easier for you to clean and groom your horse.

Weaver Leather Padded Breakaway Adjustable Chin & Throat Snap Halter

• The snap halter has rubber padding.
• It’s made of quality leather.
• It also has a padded, breakaway adjustable chin with Chicago screws.

Farnam FluidFlex Liquid Joint Supplement

• This joint solution is perfect for your horse’s joint health, which will provide healthy hip and joint function for an extended period of time.
• This formula contains a balance of glucosamine HCl, chondroitin sulfate and potent antioxidants

Formula 707 Calming Equine Supplement

• This supplement will help your horse by calming the stress and anxiety it has, which is good for transporting or other high stress situations.
• It has three essential ingredients that can help calm your horse: L-Tryptophan which can help provide serotonin and can decrease anxiety, thiamine (B1) which can address any nutritional deficiencies and metabolic processes, and magnesium that supports calm and relaxed muscles.

Farnam SWAT CLEAR Horse Fly Control

• This ointment will be fantastic for your horses because it is proven to repel flies and other pesky insects.
• You can use it around any type of wound your horse may have.

yeezo Easy Use Hoof Soaking Boot

• The soaking boat will make the soaking treatment much easier for you and your horse.
• It can get the entire hoof submerged, which is perfect for ensuring infections go away faster.

How to Get Started with Horse Transport

There are many reasons to transport a horse and it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. Although there are be several options to choose from, horse transporters from CitizenShipper are the most affordable and reliable choice.

Booking a horse transporter through CitizenShipper can ease your mind throughout the shipping process. Our transporters understand what your cherished horse means to you and will ensure proper, loving care during the ride. When you trust drivers on CitizenShipper to transport your horse, you will have comfort knowing your horse is in the absolute best of hands. 

Transporting your horse doesn’t have to be overwhelming or stressful. You can have peace of mind with CitizenShipper. Enter your horse’s information now to link up with horse transporters and get free quotes in just minutes!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you rent a horse trailer?

Yes. Horse trailers can be rented from trailer rental companies, farm equipment dealers, and private owners. Expect to pay $75–$250 per day, plus fuel, insurance, and any required deposits.

How much does it cost to transport a horse?

Professional horse transport typically costs $1.25–$2.25 per mile, with total pricing depending on distance, route, trailer type, and whether you choose private or shared transport.

 

What should I look for in a horse transport company?

Choose a transporter with horse-handling experience, positive customer reviews, commercial insurance, well-maintained trailers, clear communication, and transparent pricing.

 

Is it better to rent a horse trailer or hire a transporter?

If you have the proper towing equipment and experience, renting may be cost-effective. For most owners, hiring a professional transporter is safer, more convenient, and eliminates the need to tow the trailer yourself.

 

Should you tie a horse in a trailer?

Generally, yes. Horses should be tied with a quick-release knot or safety tie to help keep them secure while allowing for emergency release if needed.