Checklist for solo trailering

[SharonA]

Just wondering if anyone has a particular checklist or routine that they go through before heading off on the trail by themselves (with horse, I mean). Not so much the "Make sure your cell phone is charged, let someone know where you're going and when you plan to be back" side of things, but more of the "Am I really ready to go?"

As in, does anyone do a sort of "Helmet? Check. Hay? check. Water? Check. Saddle and Bridle? Check." etc. since you don't have anyone to help you when you get to the trail. What else should be on the checklist?

Also, any particular routines for keeping horse calm when you step off the trailer at a new place? My horse likes to go new places and usually gives me a break (long enough to mount up, etc.) even if she's pretending to be a spaz. :-) But I've always had at least the trailer driver or a ride organizer to help out. We trail-ride from the barn alone all the time; just thinking it might be different when it's just me and her hopping off the trailer in a new place.

(And yes, going with other people would be nice, but not always possible).

[goodhors]

Make your own list or lists, laminate or put in a plastic page saver, so you can read it as you prepare. List will stay consistant, help you remember all the things you need to do or have done, before setting off.

Trail riding, you should carry some basic things in a cantle pack. First aid stuff, things you consider needed, granola bar, some water, bug and sun protection. Phone should be on your body, in a safe leg or arm holster. Hip holsters always seem to be where you land in a fall, smashing phone! Some holsters allow your basic information card to be carried too. Name, address, contact persons, insurance numbers. Sadly, that information is sometimes needed because of an accident, so best to have it on you for faster care.

It is often recommended that horse have a name tag on him like dogs have, braided on mane, clipped on halter, so if he gets loose the finder has a number to call. This is both for riding and overnight campouts. Locally one of our Parks had a lost horse when the man woke up, horse had traveled QUITE a ways to a farm with horses before being found. Sheriff was called, got horse and man back together. Horse had no ID, was there a couple hours before the Sheriff got his owner calling in. They were sleeping in, didn't know he was gone until halfway thru the morning.

If you plan to go out alone, you need to practice mounting the WELL-BEHAVED horse who stands still! There are a number of methods to train a horse to stand, find one that you like and PRACTICE it a LOT. Do NOT let him walk off, step away, even one time during the practices. He loses respect, you lose control again, so mounting turns back into a problem for you. Perhaps a trainer could work with you, to get the steps into the horse brain, show you how to maintain the training for standing quietly.

If you are small or older, your mounting time or efforts can be harder on the horse, pulling saddle on his back, getting him off-balance, taking a VERY long time. Sometimes just using those cheap step stools, can greatly improve his attitude and be much easier on you getting up on horse. Teaching him to stand beside the truck or trailer fender and just stepping over onto the saddle, can make both of you happier too. Lots of tricks, to ease mounting problems, horse has to learn to DEAL WITH TIME NEEDED, so you can get aboard. Quietly standing well is NOT optional for him, so you can have a safe mount while out and about.

You might ask for specific items to put on your lists over on the Trail and Endurance forum, many of them ride alone. They have worked out routines that are successful for them or their areas. I am sure you will get lots of good ideas and thoughts from them.

[Right on Target]

My checklists:

Truck/Trailer:
tire pressures checked
trailer drive up jack thing
check lights
hay
pitchfork/shovel
spare halter and leadrope
water bucket
street map


Horse gear to carry with me:
saddle
bridle
pad
girth
halter and lead rope
Cantle bag with:
hoof pick
knife
jacket if necessary
water for me
sandwich/food
toilet paper/napkin
vet wrap
extra curb chain when I ride western

Stuff to carry on me:
car keys
cell phone
park map if I need it

Another good thing to carry might be a little duct tape. You can fix anything with that.

[2DogsFarm]

I haul a lot by myself - not only for trailriding.

Always doublecheck your hitch - if it's a ball make sure the ball is seated tight, tow chains are secured, brake is plugged in & brake controller set correctly in the tow vehicle, taillights & turn signals working. If you have WDH, adjust the lever-thingys (sorry - I am technically inept) as well. Replace all cotter pins, secure any other miscellaneous attachments.
Adjust your sideview mirrors to allow for the trailer.

Inside the trailer (before you load your horse):
-check for wasp/hornet nests if the trailer has sat outside for any time in Summer (I had one in my spare tire last year!)
-check divider, butt bar, chest bar to assure all are working smoothly & securely
-check vents and/or windows

Before you take off:
-recheck hitch
-make sure jack is raised (I have driven off leaving a nice groove in my driveway gravel)
-recheck horse inside

Sounds like a lot to do, but it becomes automatic and really only takes minutes. Worth it for the peace of mind.

In my tow vehicle I always have:
-a pair of old gloves to use when hitching - avoids getting grease all over hands
-spare halter & lead
-length of tubing that releases the WDH levers

I also let someone know I'm leaving & when I think I'll be home.
If it's for any length of time I let the horsesitter know when I expect to be back.
I live on the farm by myself and if I've only taken 1 horse of 2 then at least someone will know to feed #2 as well as start the S&R for me.

[juniormom]

We took an equine rescue class. Two things they recommended that are not on this list are to tape inside your trailer where it would most likely be easily accessible, a syringe filled with "ace" or another dose of tranquilizer that your vet recommends in case of an emergency. In addition, they suggested taping the name of your equine vet to the trailer door, as well as emergency contacts. I hate to say this, but if you are unconcious and have a trailer accident, who should they call to come pick up your horse/horses? We take an extra electical cord that connects our lights to the trailer as ours dragged one time and wore so thin before we realized it, that our lights went out. You have to get them at specialty RV places, etc., so if you are out in the sticks and it is late on Friday - you are out of luck. It is so helpful to have a "list" to check off each time. :)

[NRB]

On the center console a note in a plastic bag that reads; In case of Emergency; My name is So and SO, my emergency contact phone number is my husband at &^% I board my horse at Such and Such Farm. The Barn Owner is XYZ and their number is 565... please call them if the horse isn't coming home that day. My friend ABC will trailer my horse home in case I am incapacitated. her numbers are 123.... My vet is XYZ and their phone number is ........ and they have my credit card on file and my blanket permission to treat my horse in case of emergency.

I carry a emergency medical kit on the trailer for the horse (it also contains the current coggins) And spares to everything, tool kits for truck breakdowns, and etc.

[Addison]

Excellent ideas NRB.

[Boomer]

Excellent ideas NRB.

Ditto.

Add to the truck/trailer check list: check oil level, check coolant level. Also windshield wiper fluid (it's really annoying to get a big bug splat on the glass and push the fluid button, only to have nothing happen).

Along the lines of the "ICE" (in case of emergency) list, if you travel with your dog sometimes, add another sheet that says "I'm traveling Day-month with my dog "name" and picture/description and any medical info.

I travel with my aussie shep frequently and she has epilepsy, so I always list that I have "XYZ" meds with me. I also have a doggie seat belt which she travels in.

[Stellaspeed]

I"ve found SOOOO many uses for Dollar Store clear plastic shower curtains . I usually have 3 of those handy, also carry a spotlight (Bubba Deer Shining type ) , Walmart Saline solution, hose clamps, xtra large zip ties, and a good pair of tin snips, and bolt cutters . Several different bungee straps too. 2 cans of PB Blaster always.
My problem is that I have all of these little things and other goodies from TSC or Northern Tool, that my son and all of the neighbors routinely look in my truck toolbox when they need something.

[jengersnap]

I always keep a 5 gallon (half or small size water cooler bottle) of water and a bucket or two upside down on top of it in the back of my truck. You never know who might need that water, be it for you and the horse to drink, spronge off, or even flush out a wound or put out a fire. I also have an extinguisher under my back seat in the truck. I have a gooseneck, and in the nose I keep a set of small folding chairs and a small step stool that not only lets me reach way up into the nose for easier access, but also doubles as a saddle stand and mounting block once I'm away from home. I also carry a tire iron that fits the lugs on the tires and blocks of wood for the tires and/or the tongue if I am on a hill or separating the truck from the trailer.