Check Tyres before Horse Transport Commences

A few weeks ago, we published a blog post talking about trailer safety for horseboxes. We mentioned how important it is to make sure trailers are safe in order protect both drivers and horses alike. Now, Horse & Hound magazine is taking things a step further by imploring horse owners to check their tyres before horse transport commences. It is a task owners should get into the habit of performing before every journey.

According to TyreSafe, a not-for-profit tyre safety organisation, as many as 78% of all horse owners endanger the lives of animals by not inspecting tyres prior to horse transport. The organisation says under-inflated tyres are a major cause of accidents involving horsebox trailers and tow vehicles.

Under-inflated tyres are a problem for any vehicle, but especially for vehicles carrying heavier loads. Under-inflated tyres can overheat, causing the rubber to flex and expand fairly quickly. A resulting blowout could cause the driver to lose control, endangering his or her own life and that of the horse. TyreSafe also cautions against overloading as it can also cause overheating and blowouts.

According to Horse & Hound, a 2012 survey by the British Horse Society suggested that 7% of Britain’s horse owners do not regularly check tyre pressure; an additional 28% do not know the legal requirements for minimum tread amount. The alarming study shows just how risky horse owners are being with their animals.

On the positive side, the information regarding tyre pressure and tread is easy to learn and equally easy to verify prior to embarking on a trip. It only takes a few minutes to ensure your trailer tyres are safe.

Safety Training

At the HGV Training Centre, we believe safety training for horsebox trailers is just as important as the training given to commercial drivers. Towing a horsebox trailer is not as simple as hooking the vehicles and driving down the road as you normally would without a trailer. There are lots of things to consider; things like weather conditions, shifting loads and how your horses will react to the way you drive.

Horse owners should consider annual training even if the combination of their trailers and tow vehicles does not require a special licence. Annual training from a company like ours goes a long way toward refreshing one’s driving skills and keeping one up to date with any changes in the law. What’s more, training is very affordable and easy to fit into your schedule. If you are involved in horse transport of any kind, it does not really make sense to go without annual training.

The HGV Training Centre provides training classes at more than 45 locations around the UK. That means there is likely a location near you. When you train with us, we will teach you all of the things you need to know for safe horse transport, regardless of the size of your vehicle. You will be doing yourself, your horses, and other drivers a big favour.

Sources:

1. Horse & Hound – http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/avoiding-horsebox-tyre-blowouts/