When you least expect it, expect it.

I don’t know about you, but when I first returned to riding about 12 years ago, the thought of traveling with a horse, inside a horse trailer, by myself, was just too much.  The fear of something happening to the truck or trailer with a horse (MY horse) inside was almost paralyzing. The first time I drove the trailer by myself to a lesson, upon arrival my trainer cheered, “Look at her driving the trailer like a big girl!”

Like most of you, I treasure my horse like family.  I found the best way to conquer my fear and build my confidence was to be prepared for the worst.  I know my Tim is depending on me to keep him safe, so I do my best to make sure my rig is safe and I have what I need when I’m traveling with him.

 

In my opinion, putting the horse in the trailer, driving to the event, participating, and returning with horse and rider in one piece is a GOOD DAY. Whatever happens during the day, ribbons won, trails explored, lesson learned, is just a bonus after the safety of my horse and myself.

Here are a few tips I have found through trial and (mostly) error over the years….

  1. What’s in your wallet?  If an emergency were to happen, I want to be able to easily access all the information a road assistance or emergency responder might need.

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  • I carry Extra Cash just in case
  • Credit card – no brainer
  • Photo ID – on my person when I’m riding, or where I can easily reach it in the car
  • Insurance card for truck and trailer – including road assistance phone number.
  • ICE – In Case of Emergency. A small card in your wallet for whom to call in case of emergency. You can also have one for your horse.
  1. Tow Vehicle
  • Make sure your tow vehicle has the power to pull your trailer where you want to go. If you’re planning on going up steep terrain, make sure you have the engine you need to do the job, etc.
  • Gas up! Don’t travel on a near-empty tank. You don’t know if the nearest gas station is big enough to accommodate your rig.
  • Maintenance and inspection before a long trip. I always tell my maintenance people I’m planning on hauling my trailer on a long trip and to give me some peace of mind. I want to be sure the truck is in good traveling condition.
  • Flares/cones
  • Jumper cables
  • Flashlight, preferably rechargeable.
  • Spare fuses

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3. Where are you going?

  • Don’t try to figure it out along the way. Either print out the directions or load them on your GPS before you start.
  • Make sure you select a route appropriate for your rig. You don’t want to get stuck in an awkward situation with your trailer, horses loaded and all.

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  1. Trailer
  • Yearly maintenance & inspection – floor, pads, lights, wheel bearings, wasps!
  • If you don’t travel frequently, do a thorough inspection of the trailer before you hitch up.
  • Always walk all the way around the trailer when empty, and do it again when horses are loaded. Check for low tires, doors open/ajar/lights working properly.
  • Check tire pressure and quality of tires. Many times a trailer will sit for months and tires can degrade from prolonged sun exposure.
  • Check the spare!
  • Extra set of keys to tack room/dressing area. I use a hide a key to stash a spare set of keys to my trailer. You never know when a senior moment hits.
  • Even on a short day trip I bring extra equipment for the horse, in the case of an emergency and forced to wait for some time. Keeping my horse safe and comfortable will make the wait less stressful:
    • First Aid Kit
    • Extra food
    • Hay bag
    • Water
    • Water Bucket
    • Extra halter/leads
    • Blanket
    • Treats
  • **UPGRADE TIP: Additional battery to power External/Internal trailer lights. If in case of an emergency, you don’t want to run down the battery of your tow vehicle while waiting for assistance running your external or internal lights. If you have your trailer wired to use an additional battery to power the lights, you will have lights whenever you need them. You can also have the wiring set up for the car to trickle charge the battery while driving.

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  1. Insurance:  VERY important to insure your rig and know what your coverage is.
  • Road Assistance – not all car or trailer insurance covers road assistance for horse trailers. DON’T ASSUME. Make sure you have road assistance insurance for both your truck and trailer.
  • Horse – I travel with Tim a lot. I insure my horse so if there should be an emergency and he needs veterinary care, there is no hesitation on my part.
  • Trailer – I have had many different trailers, some rust buckets, some very nice, but I insure them all.  Trailer insurance is very inexpensive, and will give you peace of mind you can at least make a dent in purchasing another trailer should something unexpected happen.

6. Creature Comforts: Don’t forget about yourself!  How many times have I run out the door for an all day event without packing a single item for myself?  Am I right?  Emergencies do happen, and sometimes can take hours to resolve, and last well into the night. Be sure to pack some things to keep yourself comfortable so you can stay strong and healthy because your horse is relying on you.

  • First Aid Kit
  • Drinking water
  • Power snacks
  • Jacket and/or warm clothes
  • Blanket
  • Dry shoes/socks
  • Chocolate (if in case of total apocalypse, per Jill Von Ilton)

Whatever your dream trip is, no matter how big or small, get there safe, enjoy yourself, and return in one piece. This topic to be continued, but that should get you started on your way to Getaway Horseplay!

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