Getting Ready to Travel!
Trailer Safety Tips

Ah! Spring is springing and thoughts of all the waiting trails are cantering through our minds! The mud and snow still aren't all gone yet and the bugs aren't in full swing but we can envision all the trails we loved last year and also the ones we didn't get to ride with glassy eyed anticipation. While the daydreaming and hopeful wishing are in progress we need to start the work part of trail riding. Getting everything ready for the season!

One of the first things is the trailer! Traveling with horses entails some responsibilities, not only to your family and horses, but also to the public. We need to address safety measures and maintenance matters.

Here are some recommendations:

• Grease wheel bearings - between 5,000 and 20,000 miles, depending on loads and road conditions. Some say every spring no matter what.
• Tires - condition and check inflation specifications - most tires have the proper inflation pressure written on them. Don't forget the spare!
• Trailer brakes - are they working properly? Most vehicles will not safely stop a loaded trailer within safe distances without trailer brakes. Federal and state laws require brakes on all wheels, in general, for trailers over 3,000 lbs. Two horse trailers usually don't fall into this category.
• Electrical system - check all lights. When hooking up always check the lights again before starting your trip.
• Hitching system - check to make sure it is secure and safety chains are in good condition. Don't forget to grease the ball.
• Most important for the horses - - Check the wooden floors! Pull up the mats and thoroughly inspect the boards for soft spots, cracks or dry rot. I know you all have enough of an imagination to figure out what bad floors could lead to. Yuck!
• Each time you travel make it a habit to double or even triple check to see that everything is hooked up, latched and working properly, safety chains are connected, breakaway safety pins are in place, the switch is connected to the vehicle and the battery has a charge. Make sure all gates and latches are secured before you start your engine. Always raise the jack to the highest position. The smallest bump can render a scrunch that won't be good for your jack! Also, stow your jack handle - on gooseneck trailers the handle usually sticks out in traffic.

• Premature wear on the bearings
• Bent axels
• Excess tire wear
• Failure to stop in the required distance
• Break wear
• Failure of the frame or suspension