Be Prepared
In addition to preparing the trailer for the horse’s comfort, it is also important to consider the maintenance of all equipment.
Prior to each trip, check the following:
- Trailer lights and turn signals
- Trailer brakes
- Trailer hitch–is it secure?
- Trailer safety cables
- Spare trailer and truck tires and tools to change a tire, including tire jack
- Trailer and truck tires
- Trailer floorboards.
These checks should be done before you leave home. Finding out that something is wrong on the trip can be inconvenient and even disastrous.
Before you depart, make sure that your health papers are in order. Also, know the path of your trip, which routes might be best, how to avoid construction areas, where the rest stops are located, and how long it will take to get there. Most trips taken with horses are for recreation, and therefore, advance planning can help reduce the stress of the trip and make it more enjoyable.
For More Information on Horse Transport
- Horse Transportation
- Considerations When Hauling a Horse
- Pre-Travel Vehicle and Trailer Check for Hauling Horses
- Safe Loading Practices for Horses
- Blanketing and Wrapping Horses for Transport
Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky
