How to Safely Tow Horse Trailers
Learning how to properly hook up horse trailers is absolutely essential to the safety of your horses as well as to your own personal safety when transporting your animals. Horses are some of the most beautiful, majestic creatures on earth. They require a great deal of care both while on your personal property as well as on the road. There are a few different steps you can take to ensure you and your horse reach your destination safely.
One of the first things you’ll want to do before heading out on the open road with horse trailers is to make sure that your horse is loaded securely into the trailer. Take some time to check that all the stall doors are closed and secured properly and that there isn’t any debris or other objects keeping the door from closing. Also make sure to take a look inside the trailer, looking for any kind of object that may injure your animal during transportation. Always make sure that you test your brakes, lights, and the hitching system before you take off. Preventive maintenance is the only sure-fire way to avoid accidents before they happen.
Image credit: David Kozlowski
It’s also important to make sure that you don’t exceed the maximum carrying weight of the trailer you’re using. Horse trailers can often only hold a certain amount of weight and each breed of horse as well as individual horses have differing weights, so make sure your animal’s weight is supported by the trailer. You should be able to find the carrying weight displayed on the trailer itself. Make sure that the vehicle you are using to pull the trailer is heavier than the weight of the horse and trailer. It can be extremely dangerous to transport an animal in a trailer that is close to or exceeding its weight amount as it increases the risk of you losing control of your vehicle and getting into an accident.
Another important safety tip for pulling horse trailers is to always carry around an emergency kit in case your vehicle breaks down. There are a number of different items that you’ll want to have in your kit that can help you in case of a serious emergency. Some of the items you’ll want to have in your kit are a working flashlight, WD-40, some safety cones, some electrical tape, and the usual tire changing tools and a jack. These can be a real lifesaver if you happen to get into a jam while in transit with your horses.
Make sure if you are going on a long trip you take plenty of breaks. It’s highly recommended that during this time you check on your animals and run over the trailer, making sure everything is still working properly. You should also go over the hitching system once more to make sure nothing has come loose.
It’s also important that you drive safely. Driving recklessly will only increase the risk of getting into an accident, which could be potentially fatal to both you and your horses. Drive with caution, and do not break the speed limit or any other traffic laws meant for your safety.
By following these simple safety rules, you and your horses will reach your destination safely and comfortably. Again, do not forget to check all your equipment and the inside of the trailer before getting on the roads, as this greatly reduces your chances of an accident. These are just a few of the tips you can put into practice to help keep your horses safe while traveling.


























