7 minute read
Safe Travels
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO At a showgrounds, find a spot that will give you ample room to tie your horse to the side of your trailer. Backing into a spot close to a fence will prevent other drivers from parking too closely.
Learn how to manage your rig in three challenging areas: at an open showgrounds; at a busy trailhead; and when fueling up.
By Rebecca Husted, PhD
You’re comfortable hauling your horse on the road, but when it comes to parking and fueling up, you’re a little unsure of the best course of action. You’re not alone! Here, I’ll give you pointers in three potentially challenging areas when driving a rig: at an open showgrounds; at a busy trailhead; and when fueling up, as well as in tight spots.
Open Showgrounds
When hauling your horse to a show, plan to arrive early so you’ll get your pick of parking spots. Then follow these guidelines. • Find a quiet spot. Don’t park close to the warm-up pen or show barn for convenience. Rather, choose a quiet spot away from the crowd, and use a wheeled cart to move your things. Your horse will appreciate the quiet, and you’ll sleep better if you’re staying overnight. And when the show is over, it’ll likely be easier to load up and leave. • Consider the weather. If it’s warm, choose a shady, breezy
PHOTO BY KENT & CHARLENE KRONE Trailheads are known for their tight turnarounds, lack of parking space, and scarcity of prime parking spots.
When fueling up, choose a pay-at-thepump station, so you can stay with your horse and get back on the road quickly.
area. If it’s cold and windy, find a spot with a wind break. Avoid trees if a thunderstorm is forecasted. • Stake out ample space. Find a spot that will give you ample room to tie your horse to the side of your trailer so he can eat, drink, and relax. Backing into a spot close to a barrier or fence will prevent other drivers from blocking you or parking too closely. Reinforce your visual barrier with orange cones. • Park on gravel or grass. Parking on asphalt makes it easier to maneuver, but searing summer heat will reflect up into your rig.
Find a gravel or a grassy area.
If you park on gravel, keep an eye on the weather. If there’s a chance of rain, move your trailer to firmer ground before the gravel turns to mud.
Busy Trailhead
Trailheads are known for their tight turnarounds, lack of parking space, and scarcity of prime parking spots. Here’s how to ease your trailhead-parking challenges. • Reserve your space. If you’ll be camping overnight, you might be able to reserve a prime or pull-through spot ahead of time.
If not, look for an open location to back your trailer into. • Read the rules. Some trailheads have one area for day riders and another for those camping or parking their rigs overnight.
Read the rules online and onsite so you’ll know where to go. • Do a walk-through. Get out of your truck, and walk through the parking area to look for obstacles and opportunities. If you need to, ask an experienced driver to ground guide you into your spot, or accept his or her offer to park your rig. • Pull around. Pull around so that you point your rig toward the exit. This will allow others to pull in behind you, swing around, and park.
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
Fueling Up
When hauling your horse long distances, plan ahead so you can choose the best place to fuel up. Then follow these tips. • Pay at the pump. Choose a pay-at-the-pump station, so you can stay with your horse and get back on the road quickly. • Choose large gas stations. Avoid small, crowded gas stations that you might not be able to get out
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of, especially if someone parks in front of you. Look for truck stops on long hauls. • Pull through. Pull through to the last pump, preferably on the outside line of pumps with your gas tank on the correct side. • Face out. If you can, orient your tow vehicle facing out, so you won’t have to back up or do too much maneuvering if cars pull in after you. • Check your horse later. While it’s a good idea to check your horse and trailer while you’re stopped, move away from the pumps, and find a safe, quiet location.
Tight-Spot Techniques
The best way to gracefully ease out of a tight spot is to improve your rig-driving skills at home. With an empty trailer, practice driving through obstacles, turning, and backing. On the road with your horse, follow these tips. • Drive with a buddy. If you can, find a travel buddy who can jump out and help you maneuver. • Relax. In a sticky situation, relax.
Breathe. Know that you’ll figure out a way to get back on the open road. • Develop a strategy. Take time to figure out what you’ll do and how you’ll do it. Jump out of your truck, if necessary. • Ask for help. If you’re driving alone, don’t be afraid to ask someone to guide you from outside the vehicle. • Ignore others. Ignore others who might be watching you—this isn’t a performance. Focus on ensuring that that your horse is comfortable during the maneuver and that you’re safe. • Make small corrections. Go slow, and make several, short forward-and-reverse maneuvers.
In this way, you’ll eventually get into the clear. Don’t go too far into a tight spot in an attempt to create a way out, or you might be forced to wait until cars move or barriers are taken down to get free. USR
PHOTO BY REBECCA HUSTED In drive-through fast-food outlets, make sure there’s enough clearance. Verify your rig’s height before you drive under low-clearance bars, so you don’t become stuck.
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO The best way to gracefully ease out of a tight spot is to improve your rig-driving skills at home. With an empty trailer, practice driving through obstacles, turning, and backing.
Rebecca Husted, PhD (animal physiology), is president and a primary instructor for Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue. A Major in the United States Army Reserve, she’s a decorated Iraq War veteran and a past Logistics Officer for the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinary Medical Assistance Team. She’s an invited lecturer on animal-rescue topics around the world and a noted equine journalist.
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