Hauling a horse trailer is a steep learning curve if your experience is limited to coordinating just four wheels and not putting thousands of pounds behind your vehicle. The consequences of having the wrong tow package, insufficient towing vehicle or missing a safety step while getting hitched can be dire for the precious cargo and anyone else sharing the road.

The second offering of Equine Guelph’s new online course, Horse Trailer Safety (Part One), will be invaluable to anyone who owns a trailer or is thinking of buying one. Registration is now open on TheHorsePortal.ca for the Horse Trailer Safety (Part One) course, which runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1, 2023. 

Course instructor, technical large animal emergency rescue specialist and volunteer fire fighter, Dr. Rebecca Husted has responded to countless roadside incidents and instructed others on rescue procedure for horrific accident scenes involving horse trailers. Her expertise will serve course participants well to help them avoid becoming a trailer accident casualty.

“Way too many private horse owners tell me ‘they didn’t know’ after an incident with their horses and trailer/transport. Hauling horses is a serious responsibility,” said Dr. Husted. “Due diligence is required to make sure your set up is safe and emergency preparedness is essential. This course will ensure you do know how to effectively check your own rig.”

Husted edited and wrote the only textbook available to the fire service and veterinarians on technical rescue of large animals, and several chapters in major veterinary books on similar subjects. One of her current scientific research interests includes a national survey of trailer accident causality. Emergency preparedness and best practices in safety before each trailer outing will be covered in the new Equine Guelph course, Horse Trailer Safety (Part One). 

Students of the first course offering have given glowing recommendations.

“A rare privilege to have international authorities sharing their horse hauling wisdom in succinct and well-documented form," said Sharon Cregier, a P.E.I. author (with Rebecca Gimenez) of Non-commercial Horse Transport: The Need for Standards. "The course modules hung together very well, covering every conceivable aspect of how hauling is a serious responsibility toward others and our animals. As Rebecca emphasizes: Don't tell me you love your horse. Show me!”

“Course content and real life scenario discussions were nothing short of phenomenal -- it really did feel as close to being in a classroom as anything online could have," said Griffith Ont. horse owner Betsy Sayers of Handy Horse Docs. "What a fantastic course -- so many excellent resources to take away. Course management, instruction, content and pace were just perfect. Fabulous rare opportunity to have instruction from industry experts Rebecca Husted and Kevan Garecki.”

“I would highly recommend this short course for anyone who owns horses," said horse owner, guide and instructor Diane Wiber of Winding Fences Farm in Muskoka, Ont. "The information is on point, presented in an easy to follow format and is engaging. The quality of the instruction was outstanding. Anyone who owns horses and transports them has the responsibility to learn all they can about trailering safety for both their equine partner as well as all the other people who share the road.”

Participants in this course will be able to make informed decisions about which towing package (truck and trailer) is right for their needs and will learn all about pre-trip inspections and general maintenance. 

Preview a 10-minute video on a trailer circle check, guaranteed to change your perspective on safe hauling -- just one of the many resources in the course. View the video and additional resources by clicking here.

Kristin Hoffman, a Health & Safety Consultant serving the agricultural sector with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, said it’s vitally important to know the risks and use safe practices.

“Horse trailer incidents can have tragic results,” she emphasized. “Stop. Think. Act. Prepare and protect yourself, your horse, truck and trailer.”

These online resources in trailer safety have been made possible through Equine Guelph's safety education supporter Workplace Safety & Prevention Services.

(With files from Equine Guelph)