It doesn’t matter if your trip is 10 minutes or 10 hours, hitting the road unprepared with horses is like sending an open invite to potential disaster. Things can go wrong in the blink of an eye, and having your trailer prepared, your travel plans detailed, and your horses ready to rock, will all help mitigate any potential problems that may arise. Traveling in general can be stressful, and when you add horses into the equation, it can be no small feat to get on the road in a timely and organized manner. Here is my pre-trip checklist that helps make for a smooth trip—and keeps my horses safe and my peace of mind intact.
Rig Maintenance Matters
A mistake I often see people make is neglecting their truck and trailer maintenance. Mitigate small problems early on, and avoid costly and dangerous issues that can arise down the road. I am a stickler for conducting regular maintenance on both my truck and trailer. Although sometimes a breakdown can’t be avoided due to outside circumstances, it’s important to stay up-to-date on routine maintenance for the longevity of your rig, and the safety of you and the horse.
Don’t neglect routine oil changes, tire rotations, and service jobs. Keep detailed logs of truck and trailer maintenance so you can stay on top of these
