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Horse Trailer
Maintenance and Trailering Safety
|
 Horse
owners
will usually find it necessary at some point in time to trailer their
horses. Trailering may be necessary at time of purchase, for horse
shows, trail riding, or a medical emergency. Whatever the need, it is
important to be prepared and knowledgeable about trailering safety. Poor
preparation of the horse, trailer or towing vehicle can turn a
pleasurable outing into a horse owners nightmare. Poor truck and trailer
maintenance can result in traffic accidents or breakdowns such as: a
flat tire(s); a broken axle, spindle or spring; and motor failure. In
more extreme cases, broken welds can cause a trailer to become detached
from the towing vehicle. Perhaps the most serious problem that can
result from improper trailer upkeep is having a horse fall through
rotted floor boards; especially during travel. This fact sheet will
provide the basic concerns involved in horse trailer maintenance and
trailering safety.
THE TRAILER
- When
purchasing a horse trailer consider the needs of your horse. The
trailer should posses:
- Ample height
(7-8 feet) and width (6-8 feet) for the horse(s) being hauled.
- Rubber mats on
the floor and tailgate to provide traction and cushion during
loading, unloading and travel
- Tie ropes or
chains of adequate length with quick release safety snaps
- Adequate
padding on chest bar and stall sides
- Interior
lights for night time hauling
- Air vents on
the roof and along side panels
Regular
maintenance checks should be performed on a horse trailer every time it
is used. Routine items include
- Tires need a
minimum amount of 1/4" of tread (check with your state Division
of Motor Vehicles for the measurement); be adequately inflated and
have no signs of dry rot cracks. Spare tires also should be checked.
- Jacks and
safety triangles or reflectors should be in good working order in
case of breakdown. (Ignitable flares should not be stored in the
horse trailer because of fire potential)
- Floorboards
should not be rotted or in weak condition.
- Replace any
boards that are questionable. To help lengthen the life of a trailer
floor, mats should be lifted after use and the floor swept or hosed
out. If the floor is hosed be sure it is dry before the mats are
replaced. Yearly applications of a weather sealer on the floor
boards will also extend their life.
- Any screws,
bolts or nails that may have worked loose and are protruding from
the inside of the trailer should be removed.
- All lights
(marker, tail, brake, directional and interior) should be working
and bright.
- Hitch welds,
safety chain welds and snaps should be in good repair.
- Grease hitch
ball as necessary.
- Wheel chocks
should be in good condition and used anytime the trailer is
unhitched from the towing vehicle.
Yearly
maintenance checks include:
- Inspection of
frame for cracks and wires for loose connections and frayed covering
- Repair or
replacement of rotted or rusted metal
- Greasing of
all hinges, springs, etc.
- Inspection of
ramp hinges and springs for weakness and cracks
- Wheels should
be pulled and bearings checked and repacked
- Inspection of
spring shackles for wear
- Inspection of
brakes and emergency break-away cable, pin and control box
HORSE TRAILERING SAFETY
Preparing the
Horse for Travel
- Practice
loading and unloading the horse in the trailer well in advance of
any scheduled events; especially if the horse is unfamiliar with
trailering. A battle getting into the trailer is an unpleasant way
to start a journey or end what had been an enjoyable day.
- Horses should
be trailered in a leather rather than a nylon halter. In an
emergency situation (such as the halter becoming snagged) a leather
halter will break more easily and is less likely to injure or burn
the horses head.
- Wrapping a
horses legs for travel not only protects the legs from injury but
adds support. It is important to ensure that the wraps extend below
the coronet band to protect this area. (See Rutgers Cooperative
Extension Leaflet #609 Horse Bandaging: A Practical Art - for the
proper way to wrap a horses legs.)
- Always remove
all tack (saddle, bridle, harness) from the horse when trailering.
Loading the
Horse
- Whenever
loading or unloading horses, it is best if two people are available
to do the job.
- Use a cotton
lead rope or leather lead when loading or unloading horses. This is
advisable in the event that the horse rushes backwards pulling the
lead through your hands. Nylon leads will blister, burn and cut
hands when pulled quickly.
- Before walking
a horse into the trailer, make sure that chest bars and escape doors
are open for the handler to exit safely. Never climb under or over
dividers, chest bars or the horse to exit the trailer. Never leave
yourself in the position of being trapped in the trailer with the
horse between you and the exit.
- Make sure that
the trailer is securely and properly hitched to the towing vehicle
before loading a horse. Never load a horse or leave a horse in an
unhitched trailer. Do not unhitch a trailer with a horse still
inside. Trailers are very unstable and can easily tip on end.
- When loading a
single horse, place the horse on the left side of the trailer. When
trailering two horses, place the heavier horse on the left side.
This will make towing the trailer smoother and the ride easier for
the horse because of the crown contour of the road surface.
- When
approaching the ramp make sure the horse is in the center of the
ramp so that the horse does not step off the sides.
- Always secure
the butt bar/chain before tying the horses head. If the horse pulls
back before the butt bar is in place it wont break the tie, the
halter or fall down. Do not stand directly behind the horse when
hooking the butt bar in case the horse flies backwards.
- When tying the
horses head use a safety-quick-release knot or a tie with a
panic/safety snap (See Figure 1). Make sure the horse has enough
rope length to permit head movement for balance, but not to get its
head down or over to the horse traveling alongside.
Traveling Safety
- Most horses
take to trailering naturally, while for others it is often a
traumatic experience. It is important that a horse be happy and
secure when being trailered. One bad experience in trailering is all
it takes to make a horse a bad hauler. A bad hauler is hard to cure.
- Before
starting to travel check to see that the horse is comfortable, that
ventilation is adequate, and that the hay bag or manger is securely
fastened so that the horse cannot become tangled in it..
- Test all doors
to make sure they are secure and that the hitch is tight. Safety
chains should be in place and all lights and brakes functioning in
accordance with your states Division of Motor Vehicle codes.
- Turns, starts
and stops should be very slow and steady.
- Do not exceed
the speed limit. Remember to allow extra stopping distance when
towing a trailer. Moving horses and the weight of the trailer will
push against the towing vehicle.
- Do not allow
anyone to throw lit cigarettes or matches from the window of the
towing vehicle. Wind currents often suck the cigarettes or matches
into the trailer, causing a fire.
- Check on the
horse(s) at every stop or every 100 miles. At this time also check
the hitch, safety chains, lights and hay bags. Keep hay bags full
and offer the horse(s) a drink of water.
- Avoid backing
up with the trailer if at all possible. If backing is necessary it
is advisable to have a person outside the vehicle to watch and guide
you.
Unloading the
Horse
- When lowering
he ramp keep feet and hands out of the way.
- Untie the
horse before lowering the butt bar.
- Do not stand
on the ramp or directly behind the trailer when a horse is exiting
in case it leaves the trailer quickly. It is not advisable to allow
a horse to fly back quickly as this soon becomes a bad and dangerous
habit.
- Try to keep
the horse straight as it backs down the ramp so that it does not
step off the side. Walk the horse around after trailering for an
extended distance to restore circulation and ease stiff muscles.
Other Safety
Precautions
- When tying a
horse to the outside of a trailer, use a safety- quick-release knot
or panic snap. Make sure the rope is short enough that the horse
cannot get a leg over it, but long enough to allow free motion of
the head. Never tie a horse to a trailer with a rope length long
enough to permit grazing. This is where the most serious trailer
accidents occur.
- The ramp to
the trailer should be in an up position when tying a horse to the
outside of the trailer, especially when the tie rings are located
towards the rear. A ramp in the down position leaves space between
the back of the trailer and the springs where a horse can easily get
a foot or leg stuck. The ramp is also the right height for the horse
to injure its lower legs on.
- Never leave a
horse tied to the outside of a trailer unattended. When leaving a
horse inside a trailer, make sure the chest bar and butt bar are
secure, especially if an escape door is left open.
- Do not tie a
horse to the outside of a trailer when it is unhitched from the
towing vehicle. Horses are stronger than we think and a panicked
horse can and will drag an unhitched trailer behind it.
- Trailering
your horse is a fun and rewarding experience. As long as common
sense is used and the safety guidelines above are followed
trailering accidents are less likely to occur.
REFERENCES
- Basic Horse
Safety Manual. American Youth Horse Council in Cooperation with
the American Horse Council. 1989.
- Trailer Safety
Checklist . Equus Magazine, 151. May 1990
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