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Stop! Here’s what to do in case you have to pull your
rig off the road to handle an emergency.
2 Consider the off ramp.
Some off ramps feature a
large grassy area that can be
used as an emergency parking
spot. Watch for sprinkler
heads.
3 Look for off-street
parking. If there’s no
shoulder, or you just can’t
tell if the shoulder’s terrain
will support your rig — and
you can keep moving —
look for another stopping
place, such as a shoppingcenter
lot, service station, or
an open field.
4 Turn off the engine. Once stopped,
turn off the engine. Relax, and take a
few deep breaths; if you’re calm, you’ll better
deal with the emergency. Before you get
out of your vehicle, check your rearview mirrors
for oncoming traffic.
5 Step out carefully. Stay as close as possible
to the side of your rig. Check your
rig on both sides to determine the problem.
6 Leave your horse inside. Never unload
your horse from your trailer on a busy
highway — it’s just too risky. If he’s down,
leave him. Although that sounds harsh,
whatever injuries he’s suffered probably
won’t worsen — and he’ll suffer worse if he
gets hit by a passing motorist.
7 Calm your horse. Talk to your horse
through the trailer windows. Keep your
HorseLink Magazine23
CLiX PhOTO
April 2010
When you’re on a narrow
country road, pull as far to
the right as is safe. if there’s a
bank, stay on the flat top. if
your trailer is sloped at an angle
to the side, your horse will
have a hard time maintaining
his balance, which puts him
at risk for an injury.
voice calm and reassuring.
Never open trailer doors;
excess noise can cause him to panic.
8 Light flares. Carry about 8 to 10 flares
in your emergency kit; ideally, you’ll
place four flares behind your trailer and two
flares in front of your tow vehicle. In a pinch,
use reflector triangles.
9 Call your emergency-roadside-service
provider. One motor plan designed
specifically for the traveling horse owner is
the USRider Equestrian Motor Plan. This
plan covers emergency road repairs on both
your tow vehicle and trailer. It also includes
an emergency overnight-stable locator and
emergency veterinarian referrals.
Bonnie Davis of Fremont, California, is an
internationally published equine journalist and
owner of Two horse Enterprises.
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