If you own or manage a farm, sooner or later you have to invest in some horsepower. And unless your hobby is old- fashioned draft horse farming, you’ll need some motorized muscle on your side. Here’s a look at some of the equipment you might purchase and tips on what to look for (and watch out for).

Trucks

All trucks might seem pretty much the same, but when you’re thinking about hauling a trailer filled with horses, you need to make sure you’re buying the right vehicle for you needs.

As a general rule, Cherry Hill, author of Equipping your Horse Farm: Tractors, Trailers, Trucks & More (with Richard Klimesh), says there are a few rules to follow. "A full-size, half-ton truck can pull a two-horse tagalong (bumper pull) weighing 5,000 pounds fully loaded; a three-quarter-ton dually can pull a two-horse tagalong with dressing room or a three- to four-horse gooseneck weighing 7,000 pounds fully loaded," she says. "A one-ton dually can pull a five- to six-horse gooseneck weighing 10,000 pounds fully loaded