Horse Trailer Accidents

It’s a scene that gives horse owners cold chills just to think about. Everyone has heard at least one frightening story about horse trailer accidents or overturns. What should you do if it ever happens to you?

Specialized training in handling large animal accidents is available for firefighters and other first responders, and no article can teach a horse owner enough to conduct a safe rescue of horses from an overturned trailer. However, knowing a few “dos and don’ts” may reduce the risk of serious injury to humans and horses.

First, before doing anything else, call 911. You will need skilled personnel to help your horse. Calling immediately will get trained rescuers on their way.

Next, don’t ever go into a trailer with an injured horse. Don’t go into the trailer even with a horse that knows you well and trusts you. Don’t go into the trailer even if the horse is bleeding to death and you think you can stop the bleeding. Don’t ever go into a trailer with an injured horse. After an accident, a horse will be disoriented and frightened, and he will make every effort to scramble to his feet, because instinct tells him that a horse lying down is a horse in danger. If he’s lying still, he probably is not simply relaxing and waiting to be helped; he may be in shock, or just resting a moment before beginning to struggle. Anyone in the trailer is in serious danger of getting kicked, crushed, or trapped.

Instead, approach the trailer slowly, talking to the horses as you go. Try to minimize noise and confusion as much as possible. Don’t open doors or windows immediately, as frightened horses may try to crawl out openings that are far too small to allow them passage. Try to assess the situation from outside the trailer, and give the first responders as much information as you can when they arrive. If they know about removable partitions, whether or not windows open, and so on, they can plan the best way to get the horses out safely.

If horses are tied inside the trailer, they will have to be untied or released before they can be removed, and possibly before they can even stand up. Someone reaching in through a window and attempting to undo a snap or tie can end up with a broken arm when the horse throws its head. You may be able to cut ties with a blade taped to a pole, though this will present a hazard to horses in the trailer. If your horses are experienced travelers that usually ride well, consider transporting them untied, or incorporate a breakaway halter or a piece of breakable twine into the tie system. Always carry an extra halter and lead shank in the towing vehicle for each horse that is being transported. This will allow you to control and lead rescued horses even if their halters have been broken in the accident.

As horses are thrown around in the accident, scramble to get up afterwards, or are kicked by other horses, their legs are especially vulnerable to injury. This is a good argument for using leg wraps or bandages for every trailer ride.

There is much more to consider when attempting to minimize injuries in a horse trailer accident. If you have the opportunity, consider attending a seminar on horse trailer accident protocol to find out more about the recommended actions to take. If such a seminar is not available in your area, contact the local rescue group, fire department, or agricultural university and ask how you can have this type of course organized. Organizations that offer horse trailer insurance plans may also know whom to contact for seminar information.