Horse Trailer Safety Checklist

Don’t leave home without:

  • Extra halter and lead rope for each horse, for off-loading in an emergency.
  • Emergency flares and reflector triangles.
  • Flashlight (rechargeable, with an adapter that fits vehicle cigarette lighter).
  • Jumper cables and spare fuses.
  • Spare tires, jack, chock blocks, torque wrench, and WD-40 for changing tires.
  • Tool kit-crowbar, hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers.
  • Duct tape, for covering sharp edges in a damaged trailer and other uses.
  • Fire extinguisher. (Make sure it’s pressurized.)
  • Horse and human first-aid kits.
  • Cell phone and phone numbers.

Karen E.N. Hayes is an Idaho-based equine practitioner.

This article first appeared in the May 2001 issue of Horse & Rider magazine.

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