September 8, 2006, Newsletter Issue #191: Hauling safety
Tip of the Week
Whether youīre hauling your horse across town or across the country, safety is paramount. Keep yourself, your horse, and other motorists safe by completing and checking off each item on this handy list every time you hit the road with your horse in tow.
1. Safety point: Tires.
What to do: Check pressure, and look for signs of wear in truck, trailer, and spare tires.
2. Safety point: Wheels.
What to do: Make sure lug nuts are tight on all wheels.
3. Safety point: Hitch.
What to do: Look for loose bolts, hairline cracks, and other signs of wear. Check for proper hookup. (In conventional trailers, the socket should be seated on the ball and locked in place.)
4. Safety point: Safety chains.
What to do: Make sure chains are crossed and hooked to vehicle frame (not bumper).
5. Safety point: Breakaway brake cable.
What to do: Check cable length. It should be shorter than your safety chains, but not so short that itīll break free when you make a tight turn. Weave the cable through a link of one chain, so it wonīt snag and pull free. Make sure coupler is fully plugged in.
6. Safety point: Truck.
What to do: Check fluid levels and fill fuel tanks.
7. Safety point: Gear.
What to do: In addition to hay, water, buckets, and other horse supplies, pack emergency equipment in your tow vehicle.
Donīt leave home without:
Extra halter and lead rope for each horse, for off-loading in an emergency.
Emergency flares and reflector triangles.
Flashlight (rechargeable, with an adapter that fits vehicle cigarette lighter).
Jumper cables and spare fuses.
Spare tires, jack, chock blocks, torque wrench, and WD-40 for changing tires.
Tool kit: crowbar, hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers.
Duct tape, for covering sharp edges in a damaged trailer and other uses.
Fire extinguisher. (Make sure itīs pressurized.)
Horse and human first-aid kits.
Cell phone and phone numbers on a laminated card.
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