| Everything I know about Horse Trailer Safety | | | | Safety chains are an important part of trailering. |
| Chains I learned from my Uncle Oscar down on | | | | Safety chains ensure the trailer remains |
| the home place near Brunot, Missouri. | | | | connected to the tow vehicle in the event the |
| First before you put any horses in your trailer, be | | | | hitch fails. |
| sure your truck is capable of towing that load. I | | | | The chains should be long enough to allow your |
| say truck because an SUV is just not what real | | | | truck to corner without binding, but not so long |
| cowboys use to pull their horses around, and a | | | | that they drag on the pavement. Dragging can |
| car is pure foolishness. | | | | cause the chains to become worn and unsafe. Be |
| Figure what your trailer weights (probably on a | | | | sure when attaching the chains to the tow |
| plaque screwed on the side) and what your | | | | vehicle,to cross them and create the saddle for |
| horses weigh. Average 900 lbs, big ones a lot | | | | the trailer tongue in the event of failure. |
| more and compare with the truck tow rating (in | | | | When using a frame-mounted trailer hitch, attach |
| the owner's manual) | | | | the safety chains to the frame, too, not the |
| For tag along trailers (bumper pull) safety chains | | | | bumper. If your hitch is attached to the bumper, |
| form a net to catch the tongue if it comes lose | | | | call your insurance man before you load up, and |
| from the hitch. For gooseneck trailers, the safety | | | | make sure you know where to find the vet in a |
| chains keep the gooseneck hitch from sliding out | | | | hurry. |
| the back of the pickup and onto the ground. | | | | |