Trailering:
Trailering:
Your next big show has come and it is a few hours away, this requires you to have to haul your horse. For you and your horse this can be a very traumatizing time. Hauling can put a lot of stress on the horse, and can be very easily injured while in the trailer. There are a lot of different things to look for before hauling. For starters, make sure the vehicle you are using is
Capable for hauling the trailer that you are using. I recommend a truck with a hitch or a goose neck, depending on the trailer. Remember to drive with caution when hauling and always be on a look out for the cars that do not understand what its like to haul horses. I like to make a check list of everything that I need to be bringing. This way I know that I have everything I need.
Things to check before leaving:
-Check that the insurance is in the vehicle, along with registration.
-Extra hitches, chains, jumper cables, jack, spear tire (truck and trailer), tool box.
-Have truck inspected before leaving along with an oil change if needed.
-Inspection of the trailer
-Bedding
-Proper wraps/protection for the horse
-Mucking equipment
-Tack needed along with extra just in case something were to break
-Extra halters and lead ropes (DO NOT USE ROPE)
-Medical history of the horse
-Grooming tools
-First aid for bot you and the horse
-Tape emergency contacts inside the door of the trailer just incase they would be needed.
How to load the horse:
-Lead the horse in straight this way the horse wont hit itself off of something
-If there is a tail bar, close this before tying. If there are partitions, tie the horse, then close the partition.
-When tying the horse use a quick release tie for safety.
Unloading:
-Open the door, leaving the partitions or tail bar
-Untie the horse putting on a lead
-Undo the partitions/tail bar
-Slowly back the horse out. This can be a nerve racking experience for the horse.
-Lead the horse away from the trailer
Your next big show has come and it is a few hours away, this requires you to have to haul your horse. For you and your horse this can be a very traumatizing time. Hauling can put a lot of stress on the horse, and can be very easily injured while in the trailer. There are a lot of different things to look for before hauling. For starters, make sure the vehicle you are using is
Capable for hauling the trailer that you are using. I recommend a truck with a hitch or a goose neck, depending on the trailer. Remember to drive with caution when hauling and always be on a look out for the cars that do not understand what its like to haul horses. I like to make a check list of everything that I need to be bringing. This way I know that I have everything I need.
Things to check before leaving:
-Check that the insurance is in the vehicle, along with registration.
-Extra hitches, chains, jumper cables, jack, spear tire (truck and trailer), tool box.
-Have truck inspected before leaving along with an oil change if needed.
-Inspection of the trailer
-Bedding
-Proper wraps/protection for the horse
-Mucking equipment
-Tack needed along with extra just in case something were to break
-Extra halters and lead ropes (DO NOT USE ROPE)
-Medical history of the horse
-Grooming tools
-First aid for bot you and the horse
-Tape emergency contacts inside the door of the trailer just incase they would be needed.
How to load the horse:
-Lead the horse in straight this way the horse wont hit itself off of something
-If there is a tail bar, close this before tying. If there are partitions, tie the horse, then close the partition.
-When tying the horse use a quick release tie for safety.
Unloading:
-Open the door, leaving the partitions or tail bar
-Untie the horse putting on a lead
-Undo the partitions/tail bar
-Slowly back the horse out. This can be a nerve racking experience for the horse.
-Lead the horse away from the trailer