Posted 2009-07-10 8:16 AM (#107776 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Member
Posts: 42 Location: MN
I lock on doors on my trailer before the truck even moves keys are then put in the center counsel where we both people can access them. We use short trailer ties and leave the lead ropes on thrown over the divider. You would of thought a shift in the trail was felt when the horse fell. I do not understand how this could happen.
Posted 2009-07-10 8:48 AM (#107779 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 303 Location: Grapeland, Texas
I always check one last time before I pull out. You do stuff enough it just becomes second nature to you but then I question myself, did I do it?So I just makes sure I check again. I always check for sure when someone else does something for me.
Posted 2009-07-10 9:12 AM (#107786 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
We always do a "circle for safety" before getting in the truck to leave..... We check behind each other so something stupid like this don't happen.
Quote: curlyridingcowboy.... I lock on doors on my trailer before the truck even moves keys are then put in the center counsel where we both people can access them.
We don't lock the trailer doors. Locking the horse in the trailer ranks right up there with leaving him tied to the trailer and driving away!!! What are going to do if you're in a wreck and those keys get thrown of knocked to who knows where...? Suppose you have been hurt, knocked unconcious. How do the rescue workers get the trailer open, saws-all, cutting torch, Hurst rescue tool, etc. They have no way of knowing about those keys you got hidden inside the truck cab. You'll be S.O.L. with horses locked inside a trailer that may be upside down, on it's side, truck on fire, etc...... What you going to do, gnaw the locks off with your teeth? You might want to rethink locking the horses inside the trailer.
If the horse are properly secured, and the doors are closed and latched properly, then there is no need of locking the horses in the trailer during transport.
Posted 2009-07-10 9:29 AM (#107790 - in reply to #107776) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Originally written by CurlyRidingcowboy on 2009-07-10 8:16 AM
I lock on doors on my trailer before the truck
I do not lock the trailer doors, as I want to be able to access my ponies in an emergency. But...I do use a carabiner on the doors, to make sure the latches do not come undone. My ponies are not tied in the trailer.
Posted 2009-07-10 10:17 AM (#107795 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
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Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
We had a stock trailer with a one piece tail gate. Returning from a trip of delivering some furniture, I traveled a very rough road. Stopping for lunch, I pulled into the parking lot of a Mickey D's. When I made the corner, the trailer door swung out completely, almost side swiping several cars.
The rough road had jarred the handle and safety enough, to allow the handle to rotate and open. If there had been any loose livestock inside, they surely would have been in jeopardy. After that experience, we always installed a spring snap as a safety on the handle.
Posted 2009-07-10 10:40 AM (#107797 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
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Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
OMG how stupid! Sound like a teenage girl last year at a local barrel race, after race was over, her on her cell phone jmps in truck and takes off while horse is running her ass off tied to the trailer. Luckly the rock I hit the side of her truck with stopped her! Horse on had road rash, but could have been much worse off.
I also agree with NOT LOCKING DOORS while loaded with horses! This is also STUPID! We use hitch pins until horses get unloaded!
Posted 2009-07-10 11:18 AM (#107799 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Member
Posts: 42 Location: MN
On my old trailer I would of just put a hook in the door on the new trailer they have the locks the clasp and have a built in lock. I do not trust these to not pop open. I had it happen to my wifes cousin where we got to the gas station and the glasp had opened.Luckly the arm was still down. Yes I agree with you how do they get in there but I do not trust the new style glasp that have the locks built in. and if the door flys open is the little butt bar really going to hold the horses.
If you read the comments on the recent incident, she claims it's a different trailer. So that rules out trailer malfunction and only leaves carelessness. Sad.
edited so post is easier to read. forgot html stuff
Posted 2009-07-11 11:24 PM (#107886 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
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Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
"When Whitelaw reached Washington and Stockton streets, she saw from her right-side mirror that the trailer's right door was open."
Gee..and I guess she forgot the rule of checking your mirrors every 8 to 10 seconds...if she had checked her mirrors properly...YOU THINK she MIGHT HAVE SEEN THE OPEN TRAILER DOOR EARLIER!!!!...
Posted 2009-07-12 1:05 PM (#107902 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: ark/ok border
I agree with Paul, this is the 2nd time this has happened with this woman! She should have charges pressed against her. If the 1st incident didnt make her always double check, then this one wont either. Now lets go ahead and breed another horse with so many starving and being giving away to replace this one! I also lock my trailer doors, do not tie my horses in, and always have a hammer laying in the truck to knock the locks off in case of an emergecy. Why do I lock my doors? We were at a quick stop store several years ago with several other riders and while we were in the the store someone ( several teenagers were setting around laughing) let 6 horses out of their trailers and although none were injured it caused a serious traffic jam. By the time the police got there only the ones with horses were left. I never tie my horses in, this is in case of a jackknife or rollover. The horse has a much better change of survival. I had a roll with my sons horse, he wasnt tied in and although we had to cut the center bar out of the 2 horse trailer the horse walked away. Our horses are taught to load when the lead rope is over their backs and not to back until their gate is opened and they hear the "back command from us". Yes this takes time to teach them this but it is worth it! We have had several people remark about how smart our horses are and we tell them yes they are smart because they do what they were taught. If when they dont load up when the rope is over their backs ( and believe me they look for an open trailer) then they get to lounge a few rounds. If they try to unload before the back command then they may stand there for a few more minutes. We are not mean to our horses but they are well trained.
Posted 2009-07-12 1:21 PM (#107903 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 479 Location: central sierra nevada foothills
Jamestown is just over the bridge from me here (Melones Lake), about a 20 min. drive. My opinion, how can you "not" feel a horse behind your trailer being dragged. I can feel every little, kick, head toss and whatever goes on in my trailer. Maybe I can feel so much cause I'm hauling cattle alot too, so I feel for things and listen for thing going on in back there (bumpy road or not), it's just habit for me.....
Walk around is a must everytime I get out of my truck also. I'm neroutic about it.
Checking mirrors all the time, I'm neroutic about this too.
The other thing that cracks me up about his lady is..........who cares if she is a RVT and her daughter ran for Motherlode Round Up Queen. That doesn't make her a saint or tell us that she is animal smart. Makes me think she's a "dip poop" for even saying stuff like that.
I'll have to keep my eyes and ears open about this one as it's sooooo local here.
Posted 2009-07-12 2:07 PM (#107907 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
How very sad. In both cases what happened to the safety bar or chain? Shouldn't that have kept the horse in? It does cause me to think this woman and her daughters are not paying the necessary attention. But it can happen to anyone. Read on.....
Last Wednesday I took two of my horses to the vet in my 2H slant-load Hawk GN. When we arrived instead of getting in to untie big Chester in the first stall I unlatched the escape door and reached in to unclip the trailer tie. Then ran around to the back to be there when he came out as I was on my own.
I'd forgotten all about that door after our hour long visit. Put both horses back in and left. I'd gone about six miles on gravel, just dawdling along about 20 mph.
I reached the main road and had just made a left onto a 4-lane paved road with a 50 mph speed limit. As I was slowly accerlerating a woman pulled next to me in the left lane, put her passenger window down and hollered that my side door was open.
I'd totally forgotten to relatch the escape door. When I turned left it swung open. Fortunately there is a stout steel bar across the opening even with the door open. Just as there is one at the back. Aren't they designed to keep the horse in if the door should come open?
A more flightly horse might have tried to go over or under but fortuantely for me Chester is a mellow fellow. I thanked the woman and thanked God for his guardian angels and pulled over and got the door latched.
Now other folk will tell you I'm a pretty smart person and conscientious to a fault. And I do check both side mirrors every few seconds to make sure I'm keeping the trailer in it's own lane.
After reading this story I am feeling extremely thankful and blessed that someone was watching out for my horses and me. And I have learned a VERY IMPORTANT lesson about checking and rechecking.
Posted 2009-07-12 3:43 PM (#107911 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 303 Location: Grapeland, Texas
I don't lock my doors either unless I stop somewhere and am going to be away from the trailer. I leave a lock on the tack door and slip it over to the other door. It overlaps the tack door so both are locked. I unlock it when I come back out. I have heard of people stealing horses out of trailers and would be sick if I came out and mine were gone.
Posted 2009-07-13 6:25 PM (#107967 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
wow- has anyone every heard that"accidents happen?" Personally, since I wasn't there and its is a news story ( and news papers get it wrong most of the time) I am withholding judgement and the noose. Sounds like it was just a bad,crappy thing to happen. Who amongst us hasn't forgotten to latch something, tie something,close the door or window...and then there is the possibility that something broke while in route..that can happen as well. I can only imagine the lady has replayed the incident over and over again and wished she could change the past but you can't. People who are demanding her head shouldn't be quite so quick- this could be you next time.I have lived and worked with livestock my entire adult life- shit happens. You cannot predict when it will even if you took every precaution...
Posted 2009-07-13 9:00 PM (#107980 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
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Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
When I read the story, I wonder if the horse was ever loaded.... Mom says one thing, daughter tells it another way. I wouldn't call it an accident... Someone made a terrible mistake. You accidently get struck by lightning. You don't accidently loose your horse out the back of the trailer and drag him down the road...TWICE!
Posted 2009-07-13 10:41 PM (#107981 - in reply to #107980) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
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Posts: 2614
Whitelaw said she was involved in a similar accident in September. She was a passenger in a friend's car when a horse fell out of a trailer. In that case, the horse, a 26-year-old mare, survived.
She wasn't the driver in the 2nd incident,apparently.
I don't see how she could miss the struggle that a horse would make being drug behind a trailer.You know the horse was putting up one heck of a fight for its' life,and was bound to be shaking the h*** out of the rig.Geeze!
Another plug for either not tying a horse in the trailer,or,using a quick release snap cord.Sounds to me like the butt bar was not in use,also.
On all of our cam latch trailer doors,we use a cotter pin to keep the top latch from spinning and maybe allowing the door handle to be vibrated up and out of the bottom latch.
Posted 2009-07-14 6:44 AM (#107990 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
here is the point- nobody has clear knowlege of the other accident( or this one for that matter). If you aren't sure about what happened then quit making conclusions. Have you ever dragged a horse behind a trailer? If not, then stop making assumptions you'd feel a horse dragging.
Posted 2009-07-14 7:16 AM (#107993 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Veteran
Posts: 236 Location: Little town in Pa
Just another tip on your "circle for safety" before you go on the road. Never have any one help you and never talk to anyone while you do your safety check. You will always assume someone else checked something that you were suppose to. And needless to say, hang up the cell phone.
Posted 2009-07-14 7:23 AM (#107994 - in reply to #107993) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by Ncatanz on 2009-07-14 8:16 AM
Just another tip on your "circle for safety" before you go on the road. Never have any one help you and never talk to anyone while you do your safety check. You will always assume someone else checked something that you were suppose to. And needless to say,hang up the cell phone.
Posted 2009-07-14 7:40 AM (#107995 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Regular
Posts: 59 Location: Mt. Vision, NY - waaay upstate
Here's one for you....
I wnet to buy a pony up in Canada and while trying him out, I noticed that there was a chain and lock on the back of this fellows trailer door. I thought it was a bit overkill and asked why the chain and lock? The fellow explained to me that he had gone to pick up 5 (Icelandic) ponies that had been away for training. He loaded them into the stock trailer (loose, not tied), made sure the trailer door latch was secure and did a complete walk around. After approximately 200 miles he stopped for fuel. While paying he noticed some young people looking in on the ponies through the slats of the trailer and thought nothing of it. He climbed back into the cab and headed up the ramp onto the 4 lane. After about 2 minutes he had people flashing lights, honking horns, etc. In his mirror he saw ponies flying out the back of the rig. Long story made short - 2 died immediately, 1 put down, 1 injured but alive and one eating grass in the meridian totally unscathed. The "kids" looking at the ponies at the gas station must have unlatched the door. No way to prove it, but too coincidental to not have happen that way. Hence the chain and lock forever more while hauling.
BTW - that pony that was eating grass and unharmed? I bought him. Best ride I ever owned. I figured any pony that could jump out of a moving trailer at 55mph and survive was one heck of a pony - and he truly was.
Posted 2009-07-14 8:27 AM (#107998 - in reply to #107768) Subject: RE: "Rig Walk-Around"
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
quote.... While paying he noticed some young people looking in on the ponies through the slats of the trailer and thought nothing of it.
That was a warning sign right there... Should have checked behind those kids before he crawled into the cab...
When we make a bathroom or fuel stop, Jennifer or myself stays with the trailer at all times. No peeking, peeping, poking, feeding, etc from someone that don't pay any of my bills....
"Rig Walk-Around"
