How to Clean &
Organize Your Horse Trailer

A clean and organized horse trailer is key to stress-free travel and happy horses! Whether you are preparing for show season, a weekend trail ride, or simply maintaining your setup, taking the time to properly clean and arrange your horse trailer can make every trip smoother.

In this guide, our crew of equine experts will share tips on cleaning, maximizing space, and creating a system that keeps all of your gear in its designated place. Let us help you transform your trailer into a clean, efficient space, ready for your equestrian adventures!

Your horse trailer needs care and attention to keep it safe and functional. Regular maintenance checks and cleaning after every trip not only keep your trailer looking great but also maintain a safe, healthy environment for your equine partner. Add in occasional deep cleans, and you will help prevent wear and tear while maintaining your trailer's longevity. The following steps are a simple way to keep your trailer prepared for the next trip!

Routine Cleaning

Before you hit the road with your horse and trailer, it is important to check a few key areas like tires, lights, and flooring to make sure they are safe and ready for use. Taking a few extra minutes to inspect these and other vital areas can prevent accidents. Check out our article about horse trailer safety and maintenance for additional insight on safety measures before you hit the road with your horse.

Your post-travel cleaning routine will include simple steps like mucking out the horse area, tidying up the tack room, and giving your living quarters (for those lucky enough to have them) a quick sprucing up. These quick steps will keep your horses happy and healthy, and your trailer will be in better condition to last you many years to come. Plus, your next trip will be so much smoother. Trust us, your future self will thank you!

Supplies Needed:

First, you will want to tackle the horse area. Grab the items below to get started:

• Muck Rake
• Muck Cart & Muck Bucket
• Shovel
• Broom

For heavily soiled trailers:

• Hose
• Stall Cleaner

Three Simple Steps for Routine Horse Trailer Cleaning:

1. Clean the Horse Area: Start by grabbing your muck rake, shovel, and muck bucket to remove all manure, shavings, and wet spots. Once the floor is cleared, give it a thorough sweep to catch any remaining hay or shavings. For heavily soiled urine patches, a quick hosing and cleaning with a stall cleaner will help neutralize odors and preserve your floor. This short routine keeps your trailer fresh and ready for your next travel day.
2. Tack Room: Next, you want to go into your tack room, take out all the tack and tools that you use at home, and return them to their proper place in your barn. Wash any saddle pads, leg wraps, and rags that you'll need for your next outing. Make a list of any first-aid equipment, sprays, or other items you may have used up so that you can restock them. This will prepare you for your next outing and ensure you are not scrambling at the last minute. Finish off by sweeping out your tack room and making sure all your items are organized and in their proper place.
3. Living Quarters: If your trailer has living quarters that you used during your trip, you will want to take the time to clean, reorganize, and restock any missing items. Wash any laundry, dirty towels, and bedding. Wipe down all surfaces and remove any perishable items from the pantry and fridge. Clean the bathroom, kitchen, and floors.

Deep Cleaning Your Horse Trailer

Regular deep cleaning of your horse trailer not only provides a comfortable and safe environment for your horse during travel but also helps prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria and prolongs the life of your trailer. A clean trailer minimizes the risk of respiratory issues caused by dust, ammonia buildup, and mold. It also prevents rust and other damage, and just makes it a more pleasant place for you and your horse.

How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Trailer?

Your schedule for deep cleaning your trailer really depends on how frequently you travel and what you use your trailer for. If you transport many unknown or sick horses, you will want to disinfect your trailer after every trip. If you use your trailer for traveling with your personal horses to shows or trail rides, we recommend using this schedule as a guideline:

• Heavy Use: Every 2 to 3 months.
• Moderate Use: Every 3 to 6 months.
• Light Use: Approximately twice a year.

Depending on how often you use your trailer, aim for a deep clean at least every three to six months. If you haul frequently or trailer many new or unknown horses, you will want to deep clean and disinfect more often.

Supplies Needed:

• Pressure Washer or Hose with Nozzle
• Heavy-Duty Rubber Gloves
• Buckets
• Stiff-Bristle Scrub Brushes
• Mild Soap or Trailer-Safe Wash
• Disinfectant Spray
• Shop Vacuum
• Broom, Shovel, Muck Rake, & Muck Bucket
• Metal Lubricant

Eight Steps for Deep Cleaning Your Horse Trailer:

1. Empty the Trailer: Remove all mats, tack, hay nets, and loose equipment.
2. Sweep and Vacuum: Remove any shavings, manure, and feed. Use a shop vac to remove hard-to-reach dust and debris from crevices, walls, and corners.
3. Pre-Wash: Using a pressure washer (preferably) or hose, spray down the trailer, including the walls, floors, and ceiling.
4. Scrub the Walls and Floor: Mix a bucket of water with mild soap or trailer-safe wash. Scrub the walls, floors, and doors with a stiff bristle brush.
5. Disinfect: Apply a horse-safe disinfectant spray to all surfaces, letting it sit for the recommended time before rinsing. This step is crucial for killing bacteria, mold, and other harmful pathogens.
6. Rinse and Dry: Rinse the trailer thoroughly to remove all soap and disinfectant residue. Park your trailer in a sunny spot and open up all doors and windows to dry completely.
7. Clean the Mats: While the trailer dries (or before washing the trailer), clean the rubber mats you removed earlier. Scrub them with soap and water, apply a disinfectant, and rinse thoroughly. Let them and the trailer dry completely before placing your mats back into the trailer.
8. Inspect and Lubricate: While cleaning, inspect the trailer for damage such as excess rust, loose bolts, or worn wiring. Use a lubricant on hinges, latches, and moving parts.

Preparation is the key to smooth travel, and organization is crucial for efficiency, safety, and peace of mind while traveling. A well-organized trailer allows quick access to essentials, saving time in emergencies or time-sensitive situations; it reduces stress by eliminating the frustration of searching for misplaced items and maximizes space to fit all necessary equipment comfortably.

Organization also helps keep you from forgetting critical supplies and allows for efficient unloading and setup at your destination, giving you more time to focus on your horse and enjoy the experience. Here are some tips we have found to help us stay organized when traveling:

1. Designate Storage Zones: When every item has a dedicated spot, you will know exactly where to find it when you need it. Designated zones save time and eliminate the frustration of searching through a chaotic trailer. Divide your trailer into specific areas for horse gear, human gear, feed, and emergency supplies.
   • Horse Tack & Equipment: Use saddle racks, bridle hooks, grooming bags, caddies, and foldable baskets to maximize space while keeping equipment organized and easily accessible. Utilize bridle bags and saddle covers to keep items protected and ready to ride while giving your tack room a professional look.
   • Rider Equipment: Keep all your gear and tack together in a separate area from the horse equipment. Using storage like boot bags, garment bags, and helmet cases keeps your gear clean and show-ready, as well as organized and easy to find.
   • Feed and Hay: Keep hay bales and grain in sealed containers to prevent spillage and pests. Always keep extra hay bags, feed pans, and water buckets. It is best to have more hay, grain, and supplements than you need for your trip length in case of delays or unplanned extended stays.

     Time-Saving Tip: Use gallon bags to prepare mixed grain and supplements for each feeding. Make sure to label what horse and what feeding time (AM/PM) each bag is for. Keep the bags in a sealed container to prevent pests.

   • Emergency Supplies: Have a dedicated spot that is easy to access for horse and human first-aid kits, tools, and safety gear.
2. Use Containers and Labels: Clear plastic bins are convenient to keep loose items contained and easy to find. Make sure to label each bin with what contents are inside for quick identification. Keep similar items together for better organization.
3. Prioritize Essentials: Pack and configure your trailer tack room so your most used items are toward the front and within easy reach. When packing in your trailer, start with items that are less likely to be used or can be unpacked last (since they'll be toward the back of the trailer). Then, continue packing in items that will be more frequently used. The items that need to be unpacked immediately upon arrival will be packed last and placed toward the front of the tack room for immediate access. It is a good idea to pack heavy and large items like hay and grain last to make loading and unloading easier. It will also help get big items out of the way quickly when you arrive, making the rest of the unloading process much faster.
4. Maximize Vertical Space: Eliminating wasted space is a large part of why organizing your tack room is important. With space-saving items like trailer door caddies, hanging hooks, and multi-purpose baskets you can utilize every inch of available space and increase storage capacity by freeing up floor space. This also makes your frequently used items more accessible without needing to dig through bins.

A travel checklist is useful for keeping your horse trailer in order because it helps you stay prepared and eliminates the risk of leaving important items behind. It brings structure to your packing routine and prevents forgetting essentials like tack, feed, first-aid kits, and grooming supplies. It also supports safety by prompting you to inspect trailer gear, such as spare tires. By staying organized, you avoid last-minute chaos and create a less stressful experience for both you and your horse, helping you feel well-prepared for your travel.

Keeping your checklist on your phone makes it even more convenient, giving you quick access while you pack so you can double-check everything before leaving your barn. We have curated a handy list below that you can use, or feel free to use our printable version if you prefer.

□ Safety & Maintenence Check (See our Trailer Safety and Maintenance Article)

□ Tire Jack & Spare Tire

□ Tire Chocks

□ Portable Air Compressor

□ Trailer Tool Kit (Pliers, Screwdrivers, Duct Tape, Tire Repair Kit, Handy Bailing Twine, Etc.)

□ Roadside Emergency Kit (Safety Cones, Jumper Cables, Fire Extinguisher, Flashlight, Etc.)

□ Extra Trailer Ties & Horse Containment

□ Truck & Trailer Registration & Insurance

□ Extra Hay Bags & Feeders

□ Extra Buckets & Hanging Straps (For Water, Bathing, Grain, Etc.)

□ Gallon Water Jugs (Offer Your Horses Water on Long Trips)

□ Muck Rake, Muck Bucket, & Broom

□ Muck Cart

□ Cell Phone Charger (Car & Wall Charger)

□ Human Water & Snacks

□ Human First-Aid Kit

□ Extra Halter & Lead Rope for Each Horse

□ Travel Supplements and/or Electrolytes

□ Shipping Boots

□ Protective Trailering Gear (Fleece Covers, Tail Guard, Poll Guard)

□ Cooler or Stable Blanket (Depending on Climate & Trailer Temperature)

□ Training Stick & Treats (Even Trained Horses Like to Be Silly)

□ Horse Documentation (Health Certificate and/or Negative Coggins)

□ Horse First-Aid Kit & Medical Supplies

For a more comprehensive list, combine this travel essentials checklist with our list of horse show essentials. Together, these lists will take the guesswork out of knowing what you will need for your entire trip—including during travel and after you reach your destination!

Now that your horse trailer is sparkling clean and perfectly organized, you are ready to hit the road. Whether heading to a day clinic or an overnight adventure, a well-prepped trailer makes all the difference. Don't forget to refer to your handy travel checklist to make sure you packed all the essentials!

If you have any questions or need additional support, please reach out to our customer service team at 1-800-620-9145 or info@ridingwarehouse.com for assistance. Our crew is made up of experienced equestrians who are here to help with advice and product recommendations to make your trips as smooth as possible. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. Happy travels!