Trailering Your Horse Despite the Polar Vortex?

•    Watch your speed. When driving, a good rule of thumb to follow on the road is “rain, ice & snow – take it slow.” Before setting out on a trip, take the time to check weather reports and plan accordingly. Be sure to allow extra time for inclement weather. Mother Nature doesn’t care that you need to be somewhere at a certain time.

•    Turn on the lights. Always drive with your headlights on during inclement weather – even if it is not dark. USRider recommends that Horse owners drive with headlights on anytime when trailering Horses, regardless of weather, because of increased visibility afforded by using headlights.

•    Double the distance. Also during inclement weather, be sure to increase distance between vehicles to allow more stopping time. USRider recommends that you double the normal distance between vehicles when towing a Horse trailer.

•    Brake gently. “Stopping on snow or ice without skidding and/or jackknifing takes extra distance. Use brakes very gently to avoid skidding,” added Riss. “If you begin to skid or jackknife, ease up on the brake and steer into the skid to regain control.”

•    Get a grip. During winter months, traction tires are recommended. In order to qualify as a traction tire, tires must have at least an eighth of an inch of tread and be labeled Mud and Snow, M+S, All-Season, or have a Mountain/Snowflake symbol. Since tire performance can vary, a trusted area dealer may be able to advise you on the best tires for your vehicle.

•    Gas up. Since it’s difficult to know what road conditions you may encounter during the winter, make it a practice to re-fuel when your vehicle fuel gauge drops below the halfway mark. In many states, you can dial 5-1-1 for travel conditions and road closures