Safe Horse Trailering
Safe horse trailering is one of the most important and often the most overlooked aspect of horse care. To trailer your horse safely not only greatly reduces the risks of accident and injury but also can prevent your horse having a bad experience in trailering and thus becoming difficult to load or trailer.
Before you go out on the road with a horse in tow, be familiar and confident with all aspects of your vehicle and trailer.
If you are a first time driver, practice driving the combination before you ever put a horse in it. Backing a trailer can seem intimidating, but it really isn't too hard if you know the secret. Put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it in the direction you want the back of the trailer to go. If you want the trailer to move sharply, turn the wheel before you move the vehicle. If you want to turn more gradually, turn the wheel as the vehicle is moving.
This works for either a gooseneck or a tag-a-long trailer. A tag-a-long with a long tongue is easier to back than a trailer with a short tongue. A tag-a-long trailer that has a dressing room is also easier to back than a trailer without one.
Don’t be afraid to practice several times and if you can, try reversing with a four wheel bike or ride-on lawnmower and trailer combination as the principle is the same and you will learn quicker as you will not be so afraid of damaging the smaller vehicle. You will be surprised just how much easier this can make reversing a full size horse trailer for you.
If you are only hauling one horse, put him on the driver's side. If you are hauling more than one horse, put the heavier one on the driver's side. Roads are usually crowned higher in the middle so putting the heavier load on this side will help balance the trailer.
If you have a friend with you, and you really should not haul alone, familiarise him/her with your car and trailer. If you should become incapacitated for some reason, your friend may have to take over.
Before you leave on a trip, take the time to check over everything:
- Check the tow vehicle.
- Check and replenish engine fluid levels and wiper fluid. Towing puts extra stress on the radiator, brakes, and transmission so make sure everything if in top working order.
- Make sure the ball on the tow vehicle is the correct size for the trailer.
- Check tyre pressure in the tyres of the tow vehicle and the trailer. Improper tyre pressure is one of the most common reasons for trailer sway.
- Check lug nuts on the wheels. Wheel nuts and bolts should be torqued before first road use on a new trailer and after each wheel removal. Check and retorque after the first 15kms, 30kms, and again at 55kms.
- Check the inside of the trailer for bees and wasp nests.
- Check over your hitch, coupler, breakaway brake battery, and safety chains. Make sure all lights and the brakes are working properly before you load the horses.
- When the horses are loaded make sure all doors are latched properly and horses are tied. Tie your horses to a small piece of baling twine rather than directly onto the trailer. This way, in case of an accident or if your horse tries to rush out of the trailer you can avoid the horse unnecessarily frightening or injuring himself.
- Drive down the driveway and before you drive onto the road, get out and check your hitch assembly again. Take a look at the horses too, to make sure they're good to go.
- If you happen to stop somewhere where the vehicle and trailer has been left unattended, check everything all over again. Someone may have been tampering with the trailer or the horses.
Driving a horse trailer requires some special precautions. The extra weight will make stopping and starting distances longer and you will not be able to accelerate as quickly as if you did not have the trailer, especially if you have a downsized vehicle. So drive at least 5 miles under the speed limit and stay a good distance from the vehicle in front of you. Change lanes gradually and always use your turn signals.
Use a lower gear when traveling up or down steep hills. On long hills, downshift the transmission and slow to 60kms or less to reduce the possibility of overheating.
Always consider the horses in the trailer. Give them time to prepare for stops and try to bring the vehicle to a halt smoothly. Breaking slowly and raising your foot off the break at the last second can help reduce an abrupt stop. Don't accelerate quickly, and make sure you take turns slowly and that the trailer has cleared the turn, straightened out, and the horses have regained their balance before you return to normal speed. Travel over bumpy roads carefully.
If you have a partner or parent that drives too fast or stops too abruptly, take some time when you are not currently on the road to take them aside and explain the importance of giving the horse a smooth ride. Insist. It is your horse’s safety and well-being on the line and as the owner, it is your duty and responsibility to ensure your horse does not come to unnecessary harm or is subjected to an action that is likely to cause unnecessary harm or stress.
If you hear or feel anything that isn't normal, stop and check it out. Carry an automobile emergency kit with you and an emergency kit for the horses. A human emergency kit is also a good idea.
Carry a mobile phone or have a CB radio installed into your vehicle in case you have an emergency and need to call for help.
Remember that if you have an accident and you become incapacitated for one reason or another, the emergency personnel and police will most likely not have a clue how to handle your horses. In a visible place in your tow vehicle and/or trailer, put a list of emergency numbers for them to call - your veterinarian, friends, or family members who would be able to help make decisions about your horses.
Whether you are traveling one kilometer or 500 kilometers, once you leave your driveway you are at risk. By taking these precautions you have increased your chances to have a safe and enjoyable trip with your horse.
Article by Jessie Barbour