| Do you own a horse trailer? If not, do you sometimes | | | | spare tire and jack if these are not already included. |
| use another person's horse trailer to transport your | | | | Other emergency equipment should include jumper |
| animals to the vet, to riding arenas, or to shows? If so, | | | | cables and standard roadside items in case of a |
| you will want to be sure the trailer is in top-notch | | | | breakdown. |
| condition before loading your horses or ponies for a | | | | Next, check the interior of the trailer. Is there fresh |
| trip. Although you may have to make discreet inquiries | | | | straw? Will the van be vented in some way, |
| about a trailer that doesn't belong to you, it is still | | | | depending on the length of the trip, so the urinary |
| important to find out whether the trailer can safely | | | | ammonia odor won't build up to become a hazard? |
| accommodate your animals, and if not, planning ahead | | | | Are there crosstie hooks to help hold a horse |
| for choosing another means of conveyance. | | | | securely? If a human will ride with one or more horses |
| First, check the hook-up to be sure it is stable and | | | | in the trailer, is there a seat of some kind? Will the |
| secure. Does it appear rusty or loose? If so, call the | | | | animals have access to fresh water? Check to be |
| owner or driver's attention to this area and ask if it can | | | | sure the loading ramp has been stored on the vehicle |
| be double-checked. While you're at it, see if the doors | | | | if it is not built on as part of the door . If you are getting |
| close snugly and can be bolted adequately to contain | | | | help in loading your horse, find out what the person |
| a horse that may become distrait in an enclosed | | | | does if an animal should balk. You will want to agree |
| space. Inspect the door latch and lock to ensure that it | | | | on tactics before they are needed rather than argue |
| is strong and in good condition. Also, examine any | | | | about them at the point of necessity. If you want to |
| windows in the trailer to see if they can open, or will be | | | | use a blindfold but the driver pulls out a whip, you may |
| open, during the trip. Some horses seem to enjoy the | | | | be at odds and delay the unloading task as well as |
| fresh air, while others don't, so you will be the best | | | | possibly upset the horse. |
| judge of your horse's preference. | | | | Make sure the trailer is clean when you load your |
| Then check the tires of the trailer to be sure they | | | | horse. Look for sharp edges due to protruding nails or |
| have the right amount of air. If they have too much, | | | | rusted edges. Hopefully you will find none. Keep all of |
| they can blow while in transit. If they contain too little air, | | | | these things in mind when using your own trailer or |
| they could easily go flat. Ask about taking along a | | | | conducting periodic maintenance. |