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- A few precautions before you leave help ensure safe hauling.
- Photo by Darrell Dodds
Make sure your horse is healthy and your trailer is safe with this simple checklist:
YOUR HORSE:
- is eating and drinking normally;
- has left the same number of manure piles as usual;
- is within normal range for temperature, pulse, respiration and gum color (How to Check Vital Signs);
- checks out OK while on the road (monitor his temperature, food and water intake and number of manure piles);
- has leg/head protection. (Most injuries occur while loading and unloading.) If you're inexperienced at bandaging, apply shipping boots. (Improperly applied bandages can cause leg injuries or a safety hazard if they unravel.) If you have an open stock trailer, apply a fly mask to prevent eye injuries from flying debris and insects.
YOUR TRAILER:
- hitch is locked around the ball (check again at end of driveway);
- emergency brake, safety chains and electrical cord properly attached (check again at end of driveway);
- trailer lights, brakes, and turn signals working properly (enlist a helper to watch each light and signal);
- butt bar or divider is securely fastened;
- breast bar is securely fastened, if applicable;
- trailer doors, access doors and tack room doors are all securely fastened once horse is loaded.
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Once you're on the road, stop and investigate any strange sounds and double check everything again whenever you stop along the way. For more tips on towing and pre-trip safety, see the October 2004 issue of Horse & Rider magazine.
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