Seven horses on their way to the HITS Coachella Desert Circuit horse show were involved in a serious trailer accident Jan. 11 on Interstate 10 in Redlands, Calif.
All horses were traveling from hunter/jumper trainer Alexis Taylor Silvernale’s Aleron Training Stables in Kirkland, Wash., to the HITS showgrounds in Thermal, Calif., when the Brook Ledge Horse Transportation van carrying them was side-swiped by a tractor-trailer.
It’s buyer beware when you’re shopping for a used trailer, so be alert for any potential problems.
It’s time for you and your horse to hit the road, literally. You’ve saved up and decided that a trailer is in your future. To fit into your budget, however, it has to be a used trailer.
There are lots of great used trailers out there, and buying used can be a much more affordable option. But you have to heed the “buyer beware” mantra, so it’s best to be armed with a checklist of items to inspect.
A successful road trip with your horse in tow begins with the proper rig, includes performing appropriate inspections and being prepared for emergencies, but as a horse owner, you also have a responsibility to make sure your horses are good travelers.
Check back on Wednesday, May 19, for the next article—Handling Your Horse—in our continuing series on Towing and Trailer Safety.
Every time you head down the road with your horse in tow, your odds of something unexpected happening go up.
Check back on Wednesday, May 12, for the next article—Accident Prevention and Driving Tips—in our continuing series on Towing and Trailer Safety.
Most horse owners are guilty of at least occasionally throwing the horses on the trailer, jumping in the truck and hitting the road without more than a quick glance over the rig. However, going through a quick checklist before every trip will keep you up-to-date on the condition of your vehicles, which will, in return, contribute to your horses’ safety.
Check back on Wednesday, May 5, for Part 5: Preparing To Hit The Road, the next article in our continuing series on Towing and Trailer Safety.
Once you’ve purchased the horses and bought the trailer, it’s time to make the final step and find a tow vehicle. However, the process isn’t as easy as going to a dealership and picking out a truck or SUV. Choosing a vehicle that will safely haul your trailer and horses requires some research and a little bit of math.
Check back on Wednesday, April 28, to learn about choosing the right tow vehicle, the next article in our continuing series on Towing and Trailer Safety.
With so many different trailers to choose from these days, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when considering a trailer purchase. However, if you stick to a few simple guidelines and keep in mind that the trailer needs to fit the horse, you can simplify the process.
Check back every Wednesday through May 26 for our continuing series on Towing and Trailer Safety.
More than six million car accidents occur in the United States every year. While there are no reliable statistics regarding how many of those accidents involve horse trailers, any accident involving horses and vehicles has the potential to get ugly quickly.
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