14 Tips for Safer Summer Horse Trailering

Summer months bring horse show season and trail riding. All year, equestrians anticipate these highlights. However, competitive and recreational riding events often mean horses must be transported from their home pastures or stables to other locations.

What special steps should horse owners take to make trailering safer during warmer months?

Here are 14 safety steps for equestrians transporting equines off-site. These precautions apply to horse lovers driving their own horse trailers and those hiring professional haulers.

1. Begin by picking a trailer and truck that are worthy of hauling horses.

Reputable horse transport services maintain sturdy, powerful rigs.

The self hauler should pick a truck with sufficient power and tow capacity to haul a horse trailer. The trailer must be sturdy and in good repair. Solid flooring, working brake and electrical lights, secure doors and a dependable hitch are critical to horse hauling safety.

2. School horses in trailer loading in advance.

Horse show day is not trailer training time. How many equestrians have scratched classes or canceled trail rides, because equines refused to load promptly?

Trailer loading can be challenging. Equines may balk at entering the spooky wheeled cave. Practicing makes loading easier.

3. Park horse trailer on level ground for loading.

Horse loading is simpler on ramped or step-up trailers, if rigs are set on flat areas with solid footing. A tippy trailer is scary and dangerous.

Reluctant horses may load more willingly, if a trailer backs up to a barn door or pasture gate, eliminating equines' option of darting sideways.

4. Open trailer vents and windows for ample ventilation.

Most horse rigs have side and ceiling vents and lots of windows. Stock trailers offer open breezes. Ventilation is critical for safe horse hauling in hot weather.

5. Do not feed horses grain within a few hours before shipping.

Horses may nibble from hanging hay bags in transit, but rich feed is best avoided before hitting the highway.

6. Put leather or break-away halters on hauled horses.

Safety halters are essential equipment for trailering, especially if horses are tied. Use quick-release knots.

Pack at least one extra halter and lead per horse. Load tack and supplies before fetching horses.

7. Protect horses' legs with lightweight shipping boots or polo wraps.

Bulky boots and wraps may overheat horses, but warm-weather versions can protect legs from injury on the trip.

8. Do not tack up horses before trailering.

Skip blankets and stall sheets, which can become tangled in transit.

9. Have plenty of water and hay safely stowed for emergency.

Smart haulers tote extra hay and secured containers of drinking water, in case of unplanned stopovers.

10. Carry health papers for all horses.

Vet certificates and Coggins reports must be on board for all horses.

11. Do a last-minute walk-around before loading horses.

The driver must walk the perimeter of the rig to inspect tires, hitch, brake and signal lights and other essentials before horses board.

12. Depart immediately after the last horse is safely stowed in the trailer.

The rig rolls as soon as all horses are secured, before horses can grow restless.

13. Never toss smoking materials from a trailer.

Each year, we hear horror stories of equine rig fires. Many are traced to carelessly discarded cigarette butts. Why risk precious ponies' lives?

14. Unload horses as soon as possible upon arrival.

Even well-ventilated horse trailers can become unbearably hot on summer days. Lead horses promptly out of the transport vehicle and allow them to graze or cool off in a stall to settle in.

Happy horse trailering.

More from this contributor:

Horse Show Packing List: 85 Must-Haves for Equestrian Competitions

10 Questions to Ask Before Donating a Horse for Hippotherapy

10 Steps to Mounting a Horse from the Ground

Linda Ann Nickerson, equestrian and horse breeder, brings decades of reporting and a globally minded Midwestern perspective to a host of topics, balancing human interest with history, hard facts and often humor.