Always be prepared before hitting the road with your horse. | Photo: iStock

Before You Go

As soon as you put a trip on the calendar, make sure both the trailer and the vehicle towing it can pass a thorough safety inspection. That means starting at the trailer floor.

“Accidents involving faulty trailer floors are commonplace,” said Mark Buchert, DVM, of PRU Equine Veterinary Services, in Aiken, South Carolina.

That’s because trailer floors take a beating both on the road and when they sit idle during the off-season. Horse trailer manufacturer Carl Turnbow recommends owners remove floor mats and inspect wood or metal floors for signs of wear at least once a year, more often if you and your horse rack up lots of travel miles