One of the biggest parts of horse ownership is transportation. However, it can be one of the most dangerous elements of ownership if you don’t follow the proper safety procedures. There are numerous checks that must be undertaken to ensure safe floating. This is especially so as many owners don’t consider the combined weight of their float and horse. If the float can’t carry the horse’s weight then you could be setting yourself up for an incident.
Here, we will talk you through some of the vital safety tips to follow to ensure you are safely transporting your beloved horse:
Table of Contents
Follow these vital safety tips
When you purchase a high 2HSL float for sale you can trust that a lot of the safety work is taken care of for you. But, as with any form of transporting equipment, safety checks must be completed, including the following:
- Tyres: You must ensure that the tyres are legally accepted and have the correct tread on them. It is recommended to use light truck tyres as they can handle the horse and model’s weight. Tyre traction is a must in any floating situation – we strongly recommend you take great care when checking tyre traction.
- Lights: You must check all the corresponding lights before you leave. This includes brakes, indicators, number plate light, reflectors, side markers and tail lights.
- Brakes: The brakes should be working at full capacity. What’s more, the float should also contain a breakaway brake system if it weighs over 2,000 kgs. This breakaway system will activate if the vehicle and float become separated.
- Windows: If the windows are screenless then they should be constantly closed to stop debris from flying up and harming your horse. You can leave windows with screens open. You should also ensure that your horse can’t put its head through the window (the best way to do this is to always ensure it is secured to a position where this is impossible).
- Dividers: A double design will contain a divider that separates multiple horses. However, it is important to ensure that your horses still have enough leg room when travelling. Horses who aren’t allowed enough leg room when travelling can become difficult travellers!
- Supervision: It is always recommended that you keep your horse attended to when in transport. This helps ensure that you will avoid a serious calamity when on the road.
- Driving: Always just safely – that’s just a given. Naturally, this need is amplified when transporting a float, as they are susceptible to swerving. You should always approach corners with care and consider the horse’s comfort when manoeuvring.
Other key considerations
Other key floating considerations include:
- Solid breaching gates
- Quick release chest bars
- Keeping bay partitions free to swing
- Removing dangerous fittings
- An anti-slip ramp with low angle entrance
Once you fully comprehend your model you can begin to prepare your horse for its journey. You should always ensure that your horse is in good health and ready for its journey. What’s more, you must ensure that your horse has everything it needs for a comfortable journey including sufficient feed and water.
Transporting your horse can seem daunting at first. But once you understand your model and have conducted all necessary safety checks then you should feel comfortable on the road. But we cannot stress enough just how important it is to conduct safety checks with every journey – it can be the difference between a comfortable ride and a road calamity!
