We're giving you a step-by-step procedure that will help keep you and your horse safe in case you need to stop your rig to take care of an emergency. Plus, we'll recommend horse trailer-safety extras, provide tips for selecting a roadside emergency service, give you a horse trailer-light safety-check procedure, and tell you what to include in your trailering emergency kit.
Trailer-Light Safety Check
Don't assume your horse trailer lights are in working order - even if you hear them click. And just because your headlights work, don't assume your horse trailer's taillights are working. Here's a horse trailer-light checklist; perform this check before you load your horse. (Safety tip: While you're at it, wash off all light coverings; dirt and dust cut visibility.)
Before you begin, hitch up your rig and set the engine key in the?auxiliary position. (Caveat: If you prefer to warm up your engine, make sure your gear shift is in park and the emergency brake is on to keep your rig in place.)
Check the turn signals. Inspect both your tow vehicle and trailer turn signals to make sure they are blinking. Check both the left and right turn signals.
- Check headlights. Turn on your tow vehicle's headlights, then hop out and make sure they work. (Safety tip: Turn on your headlights and your trailer's lights even during daylight hours, for visibility).
- Check the brake lights. If you have a helper, ask her to depress the brake pedal a few times while you check the brake lights on your tow vehicle and trailer. If you're alone, place a heavy brick or rock on the brake pedal to keep it depressed while you check the lights.
- Check turn signals/brake lights simultaneously. Turn on your left turn signal and depress the brake at the same time to make sure all lights will work together. Do the same with the right turn signal.
- Check running lights. Check the running lights on your trailer's roof, fenders, and corners.
Get Out of Traffic
If you're on a major highway, freeway, expressway, or multi-lane road, knowing how to safely stop your rig can be a matter of life or death. Here are some guidelines.
Stay off the median. Never pull into the center divider area of the road, regardless of how wide and stable it may look.
Get off the freeway. If you think you can drive a short distance, try to get completely off the freeway, for safety.
Consider the off ramp. Some off ramps feature a large grass area that can be used as an emergency parking spot. Watch for sprinkler heads, and pull off the road as far as is safely possible.
Pull to the right shoulder. If you feel there's something wrong with your truck or trailer, slow down, turn on your right turn signal and emergency flashers, and ease into the far right lane. From there, you should be able to safely pull off the highway and onto the right shoulder. Look for a wide spot, and keep your emergency flashers on.
Look for off-street parking. If there's no shoulder, or you just can't tell if the shoulder's terrain will support your rig - and you can keep moving - look for another stopping place, such as a shopping center lot, an open field, or a gas station.
Leave your horse inside. Never unload your horse from your trailer on a busy highway - it's just too risky. If he's down, leave him. Although that sounds harsh, whatever injuries he's suffered probably won't worsen - and he'll suffer worse if he gets hit by a passing motorist.
Calm your horse. Talk to your horse through the trailer windows. Keep your voice calm and reassuring. And never open trailer doors; excess noise can cause him to panic.
If you're forced to stop on the road, here's what to do to maximize your and your horse's safety, as well as that of passing motorists.
Pull to the right. Pull as far to the right as is safe. If there's a bank, stay on the flat top. If your trailer is sloped at an angle to the side, your horse will have a hard time maintaining his balance, which puts him at risk for an injury.
Turn off the engine. Once stopped, turn off the engine. Relax, and take a few deep breaths; if you're calm, you'll deal better with the emergency. Before you get out of your vehicle, check your rearview mirrors for oncoming traffic.
Step out carefully. As you step out, stay as close as possible to the side of your rig. Check your vehicle on both sides to determine the problem.
