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  Discussion on Fliipping Horse trailer in rollover
Author Message
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006 - 3:25 pm:

We just got word friends on the way to their new base hit a patch of black ice and flipped their F-150 with 2 horse steel horse trailer with the horse inside (older model looks like a stock trailer but has center divider).

Thank God my friends and the horse were okay and there were no injuries, but the Ford was totaled. Not sure about the horse trailer. What a nightmare!

My questions are.....once everyone has made it safety...if you are in a similar situation, what do you do if both the tow vehicle and the trailer are totaled, or even just the tow vehicle?

Do the police in general have access to services that might be able to come get the horse?

If you have towing assist on your horse trailer will they help find transport for the horse?

What do they do with the animals, god forbid the occupants are hurt and are taken out on ambulance?

Have any of you ever been in an rollover with your trailer and horses?

I know silly questions....but for those of use who haven't been trailering that long...I wouldn't know what to do.

v/r
Corinne

Sorry if these questions have been asked before...
Member:
Alden

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006 - 5:08 pm:

Sounds like your friends and their horse were really lucky.

Recalling news spots involving horses it looks like many emergency crews are not equipped for horses, usually I see volunteers handling the horses.

As for horse support while travel there is the USrider, works like AAA but for horse people. I've been a member but never had to call on their services so I don't know how good their are.

Good day,
Alden
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006 - 7:54 pm:

My worst nightmare!! I'm so glad your friends and their horses are o.k. How scarey!! I've trailered all over the country and have been VERY LUCKY. The only thing I've ever had happen is a flat tire, so I don't know the answers to your questions either. I have the extended AAA coverage so they will cover the trailer, but that is just for flats and mechanical problems. I think you'd have to rely on friends and volunteers for the horses and local vets.

I've never heard of USrider. I'm going to look them up on the 'net and see what they cover.

Good questions.
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006 - 9:26 pm:

Alden...could you post USrider information or email me at LtSassy1@aol.com? I would like to look into to it for our move.

Sara...yes they were lucky. The steel trailer worked in their favor in this instance. Luckily they were driving two separate vehicles. To our knowledge the kids were in the one that didn't flip...

Thanks,
Corinne
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006 - 9:44 pm:

P.S. I think I will post emergency information inside the trailer and our tow vehicle accessible to emergency crews with contacts such as my regular vet, emergency contacts, the location I am traveling, my insurance carrier, etc. It
could help emergency services, God Forbid, if there is instance I am unable to provide the information.
Don't know why I never thought of doing that before.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006 - 11:43 pm:

That's an excellent idea. I think I'd put a copy in my wallet next to my driver's license, also.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Feb 23, 2006 - 6:37 am:

It pays to have lots of very good horse friends who would be willing to come pick you and your horses up. A yearly BBQ where you feed and lubricate these friendships including a discussion of the problem and a verbal agreement to help each other out is a great way to get this work and an excuse for a party.

Having important information on what to do with the horses available as Corrine outlines above is great advice and you don't often see it given.
DrO
Member:
Green007

Posted on Thursday, Feb 23, 2006 - 9:41 am:

Dr O,

My dad and I call these our "truck friends." We have DrOpped everything to help our truck friends, and we have called upon our truck friends to help rescue us in the past.

Only a good truck friend would DrOp everything to drive 2 hours away to pull a horse trailer after your 15 year old truck overheats and dies on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere on a steep hill coming off of a blind turn. Speaking from experience here....

And the BEST truck friends bring you a six pack of cold beer to make you feel better about your dead truck after it has been towed away.
Member:
Jgordo03

Posted on Thursday, Feb 23, 2006 - 2:12 pm:

Everyone,
What a wonderful thread this is about something I have never thought of before. I phoned my husband as soon as I read this and asked him about our trailer. Our horse trailer is covered under our farm equipment policy, our hay wagon is covered under our auto policy. I then called a friend of mine who works in animal control and she said that the police who investigate the wreck will call a vet that will come out and check/treat the horses, and usually they have facilities to board them in cases like these.
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Thursday, Feb 23, 2006 - 4:48 pm:

Hello All.

I had a chance to speak to a representative at USRider per Alden's recommendation at https://www.usrider.org/about.html and after looking at their site and I have to say I am very impressed with the organization.

They are the only agency of it's kind to provide roadside assistance to the equestrian traveling with horses or live cargo. He said typical farm or insurance coverage won't deal with live cargo.

They have FREE downloads to be used as Emergency Information plaquards to be placed in the trailer and if you become a member they supply Stickers alerting EMS to that information. They also provide FREE downloads for Limited Power of Attorney forms so someone else can make horsecare decisions should you be incapacitated in an accident. There is also information on ICE which is the acronym that you can program in your phone that emergency workers know to look for that is linked to emergency contacts. In addition there are numerous check lists that include

Don't Go on the Road Without It!
Trip Preparation: Last-Minute Checklist
Trip Preparation: Checklist for Trailer Axle Assembly
Additional Safety Suggestions
Trailer Storage Preparation
After Prolonged Trailer Storage - Inspection Procedures
Emergency First Aid Kit
Equine Precautions: Short Trip
Equine Precautions: Long Trip
Safety Discussion Area (coming soon)

Membership is cheap...peace of mind is pricless....you can get it directly from them but I heard from a member that you can purchase membership from Dover Saddlery.

My information packet is on the way....

Check it out please...for your safety as well as for you animals.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Thursday, Feb 23, 2006 - 7:49 pm:

Thank you Alden for posting the site! I can't believe that after hauling horses all across the country almost my entire life, I've never heard of them!

Regarding trailer insurance. Make sure your farm policy covers collision,liability, and comprehensive. Some policies only cover comp. and not the others.
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