Have Horse, Will Travel

By Darlene M. Cox

The 2006 riding season has arrived, and I am sure many of us are chomping at the bit to load our horses in the trailer and hit the road destined for our favorite riding spots. It is important that you keep trailer and hauling safety in mind each time you hitch up. Following are some guidelines that will assure your trailer is safe to use throughout the season. Also thrown in are some helpful hints in making your horse as comfortable as possible while hauling.

• Pre-season maintenance.

  • Well before the riding season begins inspect your trailer and have appropriate maintenance performed (Utilize the service of a reputable trailer service if you are unsure how to perform these tasks.)

    • Tires and Wheels

      • Inspect and re-pack all wheel bearings

      • Inspect all tires, including the spare, for wear, dry rot, and air pressure. Rotate tires. Replace is well-worn.

    • Electrical wiring and electrical braking system

      • Inspect electrical wiring and electrical braking system.

        • Make sure all of your turn signals, brake lights, and marker lights are in working order.

        • Ensure that electrical braking system engages correctly and doesn’t lock up or delay to respond. Make adjustments or replace electric brake box as needed.

    • Brake hardware.

      • Inspect braking hardware for wear and tear. Replace as needed.

    • Inspect trailer flooring.

      • Make sure wooden flooring is solid and strong with no rotting or loose boards.

      • Inspect welds on steel flooring to ensure they are holding well and not rusting out.

      • Replace any worn rubber mats.

    • Gooseneck or bumper-pull Jacks

      • Grease the jack on your gooseneck or bumper pull tongue and ensure that it is working properly.

    • Check the trailer for leaks around the seams. Caulk any you may find.

    • Inspect trailer ties and ensure that the quick release mechanisms are operational. If they are rusted closed, you will either want to replace them or spray them with lubricant so they can be easily released.

    • Check for wasp/yellow jacket nests that may have been built while the trailer was not used. I check for these each and every time I get ready for a trip. It doesn’t take any time for these opportunistic insects to move in and defend their nest.

  • Taking your trailer for a pre-season test drive is a good way to check for troublesome problems and get you reacquainted with pulling a trailer.

• Pre-trip inspection for each time you haul. I will check lights, tires, jack locks, doors, etc. each time I stop (i.e., fuel stops, bathroom breaks, lunch breaks, etc.)

  • Lights

    • Check all signal, brake, and marker lights.

  • Brakes

    • After you have loaded up and are pulling away, check your brakes to ensure you have the setting on the tension box adjusted for the load you are pulling. Different tension settings are required for varying weight differentials. I adjust my setting as I pull out the long driveway from the barn and before I hit the highway.

  • Jack locks

    • Make sure the jack is locked securely onto the bumper or ball hitch.

  • Box gate

    • Inspect the box gate after you have loaded your horse to make sure it is securely closed and locked. If you have a slide gait as well, make sure it is securely fastened.

  • Living Quarters or Tack Compartment Doors

    • Make sure these doors are securely fastened

  • Tires

    • Inspect air pressure on your tires and check for any visible blemish or bulge.

• After-trip maintenance

  • Clean out horse box of any manure, urine, shavings, hay, etc. either by sweeping or hosing. If you hose it out, remove your mats so the floor will completely dry.
    Inspect tires for any damage or wear issues. It’s always easier to replace/repair tires after one trip and before another than it is to realize such is required on the day you plan on hauling.

• Truck maintenance

  • Just as important as trailer maintenance, your hauling vehicle should also be appropriately serviced for pulling. Oil changes (engine and rear differential), transmission fluid flushes, fuel system flushes, etc. should be routinely performed.

  • Tires and brakes should be inspected and serviced as required.

  • Ball plates and bumper hitches should be inspected for stability and safety.

• Safe transport of your horse.

  • Securely fasten your horse with quick-release trailer ties.

    • Always keep a pocket knife handy in the event of an emergency, regardless of the fact that you have the quick-release ties.

  • Your horse’s head position should be low enough where he cannot entangle the trailer tie on his feet/legs. Never high-tie your horse in a trailer. He needs to be able to get his head low to clear his lungs. If you’ve ever noticed horses with runny noses and a cough after hauling, it’s because their heads were tied too high.
    Most horses ride well if they have hay to munch on during the trip. It soothes them and gives them something to do. Make sure that the hay bag is safely secured at a height where the horse cannot get his feet tangled in it. Keep in mind that an empty hay bag lengthens. Also, ensure that your horse can comfortably reach the hay bag, but can also move his head away from it if he chooses. This will prevent him from breathing chaff (dirt, dust, and hay) into his lungs. Utilizing a fly mask will also keep debris out of his eyes.

  • If you are hauling only one horse in a straight load trailer, place him on the left hand side of the trailer. This will ensure hauling safety as the trailer will be balanced. Right-side loading will make the trailer off balance and you will run the risk of flipping your trailer.

  • Ventilation. There should be plenty of air movement in the trailer for your horse. Remember, he’s riding in a metal box. If there is no air movement, the box will heat up quickly. The heat is compounded if you are hauling several horses, as they will generate a lot of body heat due to the fact that their muscles are working to brace themselves during the ride.

  • Drive slowly, smoothly, and carefully. It takes more time to stop a fully loaded trailer than it does to stop your vehicle when not towing. Feather the brakes when you stop, to avoid throwing your horse forward. Sudden lane changes and erratic driving will ad undue stress on your horse.

  • Have a lead rope available for each horse in the event you have to unload them in an emergency.

  • Never lock the doors to the horse box in the event an emergency unloading is required.

  • If you stop somewhere during your transit (for lunch, bathroom break, etc.), park in the shade. Offer your horse water if you are hauling for several hours.

  • Remember that hauling is stressful to horses. If you haul for several hours (4 or more), I would recommend not riding your horse for that day. He should be allowed to relax and de-stress. You could avoid potentially dangerous health conditions (colic, tying-up) by allowing him this time of rest.

Implementing the above maintenance and hauling recommendations will assist your safe arrival at your riding destination or your return home.

Happy trails!