In an effort to help improve safety of horses and those who travel with horses in trailers, USRider has been working with nationally known large-animal rescue experts Drs. Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez. (For more on the survey, see "Survey Specs," opposite page.) More than 200 horse trailer accidents have been evaluated. Research findings have provided useful information for improving horse trailer-safety practices. "The data showed that the main causes of horse trailer wrecks are lack of proper maintenance, operator error, and equipment mismatch," notes Dr. Tomas Gimenez.
For your Safety
Based on the team's research, USRider and the Drs. Gimenez offer 15 safety recommendations to those who travel with horses.
1. Drive carefully. With operator error factors, such as driving too fast, causing the majority of trailer accidents, it's imperative for you to be very careful and remain attentive. Drive as though you have a cup of water on the floorboard of your vehicle, and stay slightly under the speed limit to make allowances for adverse driving conditions. Double the following distance recommended for passenger cars. Maintain that distance even when cars cut in front of you.
2. Hang up, and pay attention. Avoid talking on a cell phone while pulling a trailer. Transportation experts have determined that talking on a cell phone while driving proves to be just as dangerous as driving while impaired by alcohol.
3. Pull over safely. If your vehicle becomes disabled, continue driving, whenever possible, until you can pull over to a safe area. Do this even if you have a flat tire, and it means destroying a wheel. Wheels can be easily replaced. Stopping on the shoulder is extremely dangerous, particularly on an interstate highway, and can put you, your horse, and emergency responders at great risk. Pull over on the grass as much as possible, away from the white line.
4.Use your headlights. Drive with the headlights on at all times to increase your visibility.
Survey Specs
An unbalanced load can cause a trailer to overturn in an accident. When loading your trailer, load the heaviest cargo on the left. If you're loading only one horse, load him on the left side of the trailer. After loading, secure trailer doors and hatches.
For the past three years, Dr. Tomas Gimenez, professor of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Clemson University, and Dr. Rebecca Gimenez, an animal physiologist and a primary instructor in technical large-animal emergency rescue, have assisted USRider in gathering and analyzing data about horse-trailer accidents.
The Drs. Gimenez began collecting data through a survey in December 2003. The research team also culled data from incidents reported in newspapers and online postings. The data is being used to formulate recommendations for preventing accidents and enhancing equine safety.
Equestrians around the country were urged to help with the research. USRider posted a survey on its website, and asked all horse owners, trainers, emergency responders, veterinarians, and others who'd somehow been involved in horse-trailer incidents to participate in the survey by logging on and answering some pertinent questions.
"Through unique studies like this and other initiatives, we're on a mission to increase the equine community's Trailering IQ," says Mark Cole, managing member for USRider. "You're transporting precious cargo. You can never be overprepared or too safe."
Research for this project is continuing. To contribute your stories for future use, visit www.usrider.org/survey.html.
5. Use reflective material. Apply reflective material to the back of your trailer. If you lose trailer lighting or experience an electrical failure, this material will help other drivers see you as they approach.
6. Replace your tires. Replace your tow-vehicle and trailer tires every three to five years regardless of mileage. Make sure that tires are rated to support more than the gross weight of the trailer and its contents. Check the air pressure in all tires (tow vehicle, trailer, and spare) at least every 30 days. Purchase a high-quality air pressure gauge, and learn how to operate it.
7. Check your inside dually tires. If you pull your trailer with a dually truck, check the inside tires for wear. Since these tires are "hidden" behind the outside tires, they're easy to neglect. Also check the inside tires' air pressure. Even if an inside tire is completely flat, it'll be supported by the outside tire, making it appear properly inflated.
8. Leave tire-changing to the pros. Even if you know how to change a tire, don't do it by yourself if you have an on-the-road breakdown; call for professional help. Your life is worth the time waiting for help.
9. Maintain your vehicle and trailer. Perform regular maintenance on your tow vehicle and trailer. Have your trailer wiring inspected for uninsulated, loose, and/or exposed wires, and poor connections. This applies to old and new trailers alike. New trailers aren't trouble-free; inspect them closely. Have your trailer axles serviced annually or every 6,000 miles, whichever comes first.
