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Craig’s Spin: Hauling Checklist

leftsideSimplify your pre-show preparation with a comprehensive hauling checklist.Since the Oct. 15 issue of Quarter Horse News is the Truck & Trailer edition, I thought it would be beneficial to provide you with my checklist of what I do before we leave for a horse show. This list was developed after countless times we forgot to take things to the shows or experienced hauling issues from not checking the simple things before we left. I wish I had this list when we first started going down the road, so I hope it helps you, too!

One thing I would like to add is some thoughts on the appearance of your trucks and trailers. I think it is important to present your equipment as best you can. Even though we cannot all afford fancy new rigs, we can care and maintain what we own. When potential clients see you pull into the show, they notice what your equipment looks like. If your truck and trailer is clean and in good repair, they will probably consider you a responsible horse trainer. If you pull in and your tires are worn, your truck and trailer is filthy, etc., they may not consider you a potential candidate to haul and care for their horses. Simple things like this can encourage or discourage people from approaching you to potentially train their horses.

I am emphatic about the cleanliness of my rigs, both inside and out; you can ask anyone who has worked for me about this. Sloppiness is not an option, as I feel like it is a direct reflection of who I am and how I maintain and care for my horses. I think my clients like knowing that my OCD issues reflect on their horse care, as well.

The simple things on this list will help you stay on track with your trucks and trailers.

Truck inspection:

  • Wash truck, inside and out
  • Check tire pressure
  • Make sure tires are in good condition (no cracks, uneven wear, flat spots
  • All lights are working (flashers, brake lights, running lights, high beam lights
  • Check engine oil, transmission oil, power steering fluid
  • Make sure brakes are working good and are in good condition
  • Look under your truck to be sure there are no leaks
  • Make sure you have everything you need to change a tire
  • Make sure you have extra fuses, a fire extinguisher, three roadside triangles and a tire gauge

Trailer inspection:

  • Wash trailer
  • Check tire pressure
  • Make sure tires are in good condition (no cracks, uneven wear, flat spot, etc.)
  • All lights are working (flashers, brake lights, running lights)
  • Make sure brakes are working good and are in good condition
  • Make sure trailer is hooked up properly to the truck (lock safty pin and safty chain are tied to the truck)
  • Make sure your electrical connection is in good condition and hooked up properly to the truck.
  • Make sure inside is clean and has plenty of shavings
  • Put hay in feeders
  • Make sure you have a good spare tire and it is easy to reach

What goes in the trailer:

  • Water buckets (that are easy to reach on a long trip to water the horses)
  • Hay, grain, supplements
  • Saddles, bridles, working pads, show pads
  • Stall curtains & wood
  • Show clothes (chaps, hats, show shirts)
  • Wash rack supplies (shampoo, conditioner, detangler, scraper, sponges, betadine solution, etc.)
  • Grooming supplies (brushes, show sheen, fly spray, rubber bands, hoof pick, clipper, scissors, etc.)
  • Medicine box (banamine, bute, dexamethasone, SMZ, needles, syringes, vet wrap, elasticon, cotton combine, rubber gloves, rubbing alcohol, poultice wraps, etc.)
  • Lots of duck tape and electrical tape
  • Training wraps, bell boots, knee boots, standing wraps
  • Ice boots
  • Brooms, shovel, wheelbarrel
  • Extra reins, latigo, rein ties
  • Tool set (hammer, screwdriver, pliers, wrenches, zip ties, nails, screws, knife, etc.)

To download a printable PDF of this hauling checklist, courtesy of QHN and Schmersal Reining Horses, CLICK HERE.