Trailering
PAT MAYKUTH, PHD
This newsletter is focused on safety precautions one should consider in a variety of horse
activities. In thinking about that, it became clear that participation in many horse activities
involves “getting there”. EMSA has done a variety of trailer safety articles that can be found
either in the Library Newsletters, http://emsaonline.net/resources/library/newsletters/, or Popular
Press, http://emsaonline.net/resources/library/popular-press-article-library/, or in the Transport
section of the Education page, http://emsaonline.net/education/equipment-and-structures/.
Annual Service and Safety Check
At the beginning of your travel season you (or a qualified professional) should perform this
task every year, preferably before a problem gets discovered on the road. EquiSpirit writer Neva
Scheve has a good safety check article http://www.equispirit.com/info/articles/safetychecks.htm.
In addition Tom Scheve’ (co-owner of EquiSpirit Horse Trailers in Southern Pines, North
Carolina) book, The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer
http://www.equispirit.com/info/horsebook.htm which is a great resource without being overly
technical. It is particularly valuable if you are inexperienced and are considering buying a used
trailer in a private transaction and matching it to your towing vehicle.
For your horse
Check for wasp nests, rodent housing and other critters that may have found shelter a in your
off season. Remove mats and assess floor condition (pay particular attention to any wet or molded
spots that indicate water damage and rot). Aluminum trailers have specific corrosion issues as
they are often fitted into steel frames that can rust and weaken. Contact manufacturers or dealers
to get to know what to look for and where. Check the chest and butt bars and ramp/doors function
and assure that they are in good repair.
Examine your suspension systems (for both trailer and tow vehicle), hitch, stabilizers and axel
hubs to assure worn parts and imbalances are detected. Check the electrical systems and fix what
isn’t working. Wheels, brakes and tires that require lubrication, identification of wear, fluid
replacement and proper inflation need attention.
The Horse, http://cs.thehorse.com/blogs/horse-911-whats-youremergency/archive/2015/04/01/tow-safety-and-trailer-maintenance.aspx#sthash.Dc305ULI.dpuf,
has some suggestions from Robin Mills Ridgeway of the Purdue University Extension Service.
Ridgeway is an engineer and has a “Trailer and Tow Vehicle Safety and Maintenance
Considerations” talk. It gives practical information for tag along and gooseneck trailers. This
includes tire pressure specifics, not forgetting to have a spare, and the tire load ranges for towing.
The electrical system (including brakes) is often a weak point in the trailer system. Brakes need
to be tested and adjusted to the weight of the tow vehicle. Emergency breakaway systems need to
be tested. Detailed instructions can be found in the trailer manual or online from the trailer
manufacturer. Trailer brakes, hydraulic braking systems, air vacuum systems and fluids should all
be checked yearly.
Your tool box
Make sure you have the correct jack, tire wrench and any other tools you might need with you.
Safety cones or triangles can make you more visible to on-coming vehicles. Keep a can of the tire
sealer which can fill a flat tire in seconds. You might need to get help. Keep a working flash light,
electrical tape, tire gauge, knife, wrench, snaps and rope handy.
Knowing how to complete routine maintenance and checks will save many hours of stress on
the road. The Hawkins Guide: Horse Trailering on the Road and The Hawkins Guide: Equine
Emergencies on the Road, http://www.equispirit.com/info/hawkins.htm. Both books authored by
Neva K. Scheve and James Hamilton, D.V.M., provide useful information.
Shipping a horse commercially
Sometimes it is necessary to send a horse on its own, be it to a trainer, to a competition, for
breeding or for sale, or the owner may be relocating.
A commercial shipper will typically be a company that transports horses as its primary
business. A commercial shipper will be properly insured, have trained drivers and typically will
employ larger rigs. They may be limited, however, to frequent travel routes particularly to major
sales facilities, horse shows or race tracks. They may only transport horse within specific
territories such as the east coast or the west coast and they may only embark on a trip if they have
a “full load” so your actual travel date(s) may not be flexible. Depending upon what a “full load”
consists of and the destination of each horse on the trailer, your horse could be on the trailer
literally for days going on a week.
The cost is usually mileage-based, but may be adjusted downward for a “full load”. You will
usually only pay for the miles that your horse is transported. Commercial shippers may or may
not ship anything but your horse and feed.
If they do agree to transport additional items such as blankets, tack or tack trunks, you will
need to let them know that you want to ship extra items when you contract for the trip. There may
or may not be an additional charge for shipping such items, but if you have not contracted for
them beforehand it is unlikely that the shipper will take these items at the last minute.
An independent shipper is typically someone who owns his own truck and trailer and ships
horses on an individual basis. You will pay a fee for their labor/time (usually based upon some
type of mileage calculation) and you will be responsible for any other direct costs. Often the
owner will be responsible for paying for the actual amount of fuel used rather than a set per mile
charge. You usually will be responsible for any return travel costs or costs incurred by the
independent shipper to get back to the origination point. If an independent shipper has a backload
(horses going to the original destination), the round trip rather total mileage may be discounted.
An independent shipper may be more expensive than going the commercial route, but scheduling
is personalized for the shortest amount of time.
There are some people who will drive your truck and trailer while hauling your horse to its
destination. They will be paid for time and expenses as well return transport. If they use your rig
you can know what the shipping conditions will be. Layovers where the horse is taken off the
trailer can be arranged.
What Identification and Paperwork You Will Need
Ship your horse in a leather halter (lead shanks usually are used to load and left at the source. If
you are receiving a commercially shipped horse plan to bring a lead shank). Ownership papers
with horse’s name and description (color, markings, age, sex, height, weight breed, brand, tattoo,
health concerns and known vices).
Shipping papers should contain the person who is shipping the horse’s contact information and
the recipients’ contact information (name, address, delivery address, phones, & email address).
Attach a dog tag to your horse’s halter. Dog tags can be obtained from your local small animal
veterinarian http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/dog-tags-101-what-you-need-to-know-tokeep-your-pet-safe, big box pet store, http://www.petsmart.com/dog/id-tags/cat-36-catid100083?OVMTC=Phrase&site=&creative=42774423936&OVKEY=dog+tag+identification&url
_id=148346622&device=c&devicemodel=&gclid=COX6pIH33cUCFdcWgQodm1YAQg, or
have a microchip, https://www.avidid.com/ implanted,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microchip_implant_%28animal%29. Basically you want the
receiver’s name, cell phone and identification of the horse.
There are several health requirements that must be met before you or a commercial transport
company hits the road with a horse. Out-of-state trip requirements vary from state to state, but
proof of a negative Coggins test (EIA) is mandatory for today’s traveler, as well as a current
health certificate. Check with your local or state veterinarian for information pertaining to all
states through which your horse will be traveling. You will need to make sure that the driver has a
copy of your horse’s negative Coggins Test that is dated within the last year with the exception of
California which requires a Coggins Test to be dated with in the last six months. The driver will
need the originals of these documents if the horse is traveling through Arizona, California or
Florida. If transporting from Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
and portions of Oregon, South Dakota, or Washington, you will also need a valid brand inspection
card.
Bill of lading is the paperwork that accompanies the horse to the people who are going to
receive the horse. It often contains the value of the horse, who is shipping it, who the carrier (firm
that actually transports the horse) and an indemnification clause where the carrier refuses
responsibility for damage to the horse. It contains delivery destination.
Susan Tinder’s article about relocating:
http://www.relocationguide.com/articles/relocating_animals/6_steps_5_transporting_horse.htm.
Selecting a Transport Company
Ask trusted resources, trainer, horse friends, sales companies, or a veterinarian for
recommendations on a reliable transport company as well as searching the web. Once your horse
is on the trailer, a commercial shipper usually will not unload him until he has arrived at his
destination.
Have a list of questions:
Ask how often the horses are given hay (you will typically be asked to supply your horse with a
bale of hay when the horse is picked up at the origination point) and water and how often the
driver stops.
Care during travel
- Type of equipment
- What happens with your horse at rest stops
Layovers
- Number of accompanying horses
Temperature
Air exchange/ventilation
Number of drivers
You will need reservations about a month before you horse needs to be at the destination. You
will usually need to contract with a commercial shipper well in advance of your trip.
Once contracted, your reservation will not be complete without a deposit (normally 50% of the
total cost to ship). Depending upon the circumstances none, or only some, of your deposit will be
refundable. The remainder of the fee will be due either at the time of pick-up or at the time of
delivery and you should make sure you ask about what forms of payment are acceptable.
To prevent digestive disturbances while in transit, the horse should have free access to hay and
water for at least six hours prior to loading. Your horse should be well hydrated before shipment
and it is recommended that you not feed grain one feeding before shipment or after delivery.
It is strongly recommended that all of your horse’s immunizations be current. Talk to your
veterinarian to see if there are any vaccinations that you would not normally give your horse that
are specifically recommended for the area where you are moving. Any vaccinations that are given
should be administered no later than two weeks before transport to insure that if your horse has a
negative reaction it is resolved before loading him on the trailer. A formal health certificate
completed by your veterinarian may be necessary (the shipper should know this).
Be sure you have the driver’s cell phone number and that he has all of your contact
information. The driver should have all of the contact information for the farm that the horse is
being transported to. The driver should be able to contact someone at your horse’s new home
about an hour prior to delivery to make sure that someone is there to receive the horse. You
should also make sure that the contact at the new farm has the name of the shipping company and
the driver’s cell phone number. The new farm needs to be aware of the tentative time of arrival in
order to be available to make sure that your horse is safely unloaded and settled into his new stall
or pasture upon arrival.