Trailering Prudence
Most of us don’t have the luxury or convenience of living adjacent to great riding opportunities and therefore must travel at least some distance for a quality experience. This means trailering our horses, which presents some interesting challenges and requires strict attention to detail.
I personally take this necessary equine task very seriously as I’ve seen horrific accidents and been presented with dozens of horses that absolutely refuse to enter the trailer. Many of the horses that won’t load were not taught to load. Their owners decided one day that it was time to go somewhere and assumed their horses would simply walk into the trailer. As for accidents, about 90% of the time negligence would be the culprit. A brief inspection here, or a prudent stop there could have easily avoided a disaster.
About a year and a half ago a friend in Colorado sent a tragic story to all her horse acquaintances about a mistake she had made that cost her horse’s life. Driving home after a wonderful fall ride in the foothills of the Rockies, she had the window open to allow her horse to enjoy the fresh air and scenery. As she turned into her subdivision she felt an odd sensation behind her, back in the trailer. She looked out her rearview mirror and everything appeared in order so she continued until suddenly she heard the gut wrenching sound of a horse is agony. By the time she had run to the rear to survey the situation, the damage was irreparable.
The lead had found its way out the window and around the wheel of the trailer. I will not provide any more details about this oversight that haunts Diane to this very day. She visits Jasmine’s grave regularly and seldom departs dry eyed. This loss affected me especially, since I was the one to introduce Jasmine to riding and then ultimately to Diane who had her for about ten years.
Anyone can make a little mistake that turns into a very big one. I know. I was in a big hurry one magnificent fall day about fifteen years ago. My last trip into the wilds before winter set in, I was just humming along down a long grade into Idaho when I felt the telltale whip lashing of a loose trailer behind me carrying my best friend Lakota Breeze.
“Lakota’s Lasting Adventure” and tips on trailer safety can be found in its entirety at www.nwhorsesource.com. Click on the link on the home page
For a video on “Trailer Loading” to give horse owners a how-to as well as a thorough checklist, please visit www.horsewhisperer.com
