Animal Communication: Art And Science To Help Pets And Their People

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Saturday 6 March 2010 5:01 am

As a respected art and science, animal communication has been around for perhaps 100 years, although most people may have heard of it only recently. An understanding of animal communication–interspecies communication between humans and their pets or other animals–must begin with the understanding that animals, like humans, have personalities and feelings, preferences, opinions, and misperceptions; they think and make choices; they, like us, want to be happy.

What does an animal communicator do? Think of an animal communicator (who will be a she here, for simplicity’s sake) as a facilitator or mediator between the human and the animal. She has an intelligent conversation with this sentient being who cannot communicate through human speech–but can communicate nevertheless.

She may be called upon to assist with a variety of situations, including behavioral problems; relationships with people and other pets; stressful situations such as a move, the family going on vacation, or the death of a human companion; or, often, when a pet is lost and her skills are needed to locate it. In this case, if the pet has died, the animal communicator will be able to determine this, too.

Animal communication can occur in person, over the phone, or through e-mail; each animal communicator will have her preferred method, although other variables, such as distance from the client, may factor in. She will need the name, age, species, breed, and description; she may ask for a picture of the animal. Some animal communicators prefer to work with the pet alone, or the human client may play an active part in the communication. The animal communicates through the communicator and back to the human client in pictures, emotions, and words.

Does it work? If you need convincing, I suggest you check out the websites of any number of animal communicators and read the stories and testimonials yourself.

However, says animal communicator Rev. Nedda Wittels, M.A., M.S., on naturalhealthweb.com, Unfortunately, no telepathic communicator–no person–is one hundred percent accurate all the time in any work. Error can occur because the telepathic connection is weak; because the human client has emotional and/or mental blocks about the situation; because the animal is lying or choosing not to communicate fully; because the meaning of the communication does not fit easily into the backdrop of information available to the human communicator; or because the telepath simply misconstrues the meaning.

Each telepathic communicator brings her own emotional and mental baggage to any session: belief systems, expectations, past experiences and emotions. Being able to drop this baggage and to be a clear channel is an important part of the process of doing the work. The best among us do this on a regular basis, but all telepaths, as all other psychics, do filter the information somewhat through their own perspectives on reality. It is part of being human.

For example, I heard of one case where a communicator was called upon to find a lost dog. As it turned out, the dog had been killed, but he was reluctant to reveal where he was because he’d run away and gotten into trouble, resulting in his death, and knew he’d been naughty.

If you decide to get in touch with an animal communicator, it’s easy to find one; simply do an Internet search for animal communicator. You may choose one over another based upon any number of individual preferences, although distance need not be a factor; as I mentioned, most can work long-distance. Of course, an animal communicator does not substitute for veterinary care or obedience training. Have a list of question ready that you’d like to ask; if she charges by the hour, you can be sure to get your most important questions answered within your time frame.

Would you like to become an animal communicator? Anyone with a gift for relating to animals and good listening skills might choose to nurture them and become a certified animal communicator. Begin by searching for workshops and correspondence courses. Then set up your own website and tell us your success stories!

? Lisa J. Lehr 2006

Lisa J. Lehr is a freelance writer and Internet marketer specializing in direct response and marketing collateral. She holds a biology degree and has worked in a variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical industry and teaching, and has a particular interest in health, pets, and conservative issues.

Please visit her blog at http://warmfuzziesanimalrescue.blogspot.com
If you?re looking for a copywriter, go to http://www.justrightcopy.com Just Right Copy–because words sell.

The Horse: No Animal Has Done More

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Wednesday 3 March 2010 9:01 am

No animal has done more for the advancement of humankind than the horse. That said, it’s hard to imagine ever using the horse as a source of food. But of course, that’s how the man-horse relationship began.

The history books contain many references to the horse as prey some 50,000 years ago, when Cro-Magnon man had to hunt for his food. Seems that no one knows for sure just when or how the horse first became a helper to man. But many have reasoned that when early Cro-Magnon man needed to move his encampments from place to place, he started using the more docile horses as pack animals. So that would mark the beginnings of horse domestication.

Historians also believe that as man progressed from hunter to farmer, he continued using horses for food but also as helpers for herding. This would have brought about the need to jump on the horse’s back and follow along behind the herd. And that would mark the beginnings of the horse as a means of transportation for humans.

Recent archeological excavations in the Ukraine unearthed horses’ teeth and evidence of the first bridle. These findings have brought the experts to conclude that the beginnings of horseback riding began with the nomadic tribes of what is now Eastern Europe, in about 4000 BC. However, riding wouldn’t really catch on until long after the invention of the wheel and the preferred use of horses as draft animals.

It is believed that the horse’s domestication as a draft animal began sometime between 3000 and 2000 BC. Faster than the oxen and equids that had first been used to pull wheeled vehicles, the horse soon took over and this spawned the ever-improving development of yokes, breast straps, collars, bits and bridles.

Inevitably the horse was to become a major tool of warfare. Around 1350 BC the Hittite king Suppililiuma decided to go to war against the Mitannians, bought large numbers of horses, and engaged the services of a Mitannian horsemaster named Kikkuli. After defecting from the Mitanni, Kikkuli turned the king’s horses into war machines that were ridden into battle until the king’s militia had totally destroyed the Mitanni.

Now the bonding of man and horse had truly begun. Still, horseback riding was not for the elite, much less the general populace. For hundreds of years, horses were bred to be warhorses. But when Xenophon wrote The Art of Horsemanship in around 400 BC, the time was approaching when people would ride horses for more than herding, hunting and fighting.

Although America’s wild horses had been tamed by the Indians, it is said that the Spanish explorers brought the first domesticated horses to North America in 1519 AD.

By the early 1700s, Rhode Island had become America’s principal horse breeding state. Horses became the primary means of transportation, soon carrying riders on their backs and pulling people and materials in wheeled vehicles across the vastness of the New World.

By the 1800s the horse was a necessity of urban and rural life. The horse helped us build cities, farm the land, fight wars and settle a continent. No animal has done more for humankind.

Copyright MBPCO 2006 and Beyond. Elizabeth Miller is an author/publisher. For more about horses just click =>horses.

Trailering Your Horses Safely!

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Tuesday 18 August 2009 5:52 am

Theres a horse show across the state in a few weeks, and youre planning on being there with your horses. However, its been awhile since you last pulled a horse trailer, and youre a little concerned about your trailering skills. After all, you want to arrive at your destination safely, with the horses as calm and relaxed as possible.

Guiding a loaded horse trailer down a country road or highway requires practical experience and know-how. Theres very little room for error. What do you do to ensure a safe, uneventful journey?

How to Ensure Safe Trailering

If youre out of practice, or if youve never towed a trailer before, obtaining adequate personal experience prior to the actual event is of the utmost importance. Just as if you were learning to drive for the first time, you should begin by practicing basic driving skills before getting out in traffic with the trailer.

The more experienced you become, the more prepared you will be for anything that may potentially happen. With more confidence and a higher level of awareness and preparedness, you should be better able to handle any unexpected situation that comes along.

Find a level field or a parking lot in which to practice. Mark your course with several highway cones, then, set out to work on the following driving skills:

  • Turning with your trailer.
  • Backing your trailer.
  • Parking your trailer on a grade.
  • Stopping the trailer rig suddenly.
  • Ready for the Highway

    After youve practiced all the basic driving skills while pulling your horse trailer and you feel confident in your ability to handle the rig safely, youre ready to test your skills out on the road.

    Try towing your trailer for short distances, at first. Make sure that you feel comfortable with turning corners in traffic, with backing your trailer, with parking on a grade, and with being able to stop your trailer quickly (should the need arise). Once you are confident in your towing abilities, youre ready to travel any distance with your horses.

    Just remember to always be alert when out on the roads. Drive defensively and be prepared for any possible situation.

    Neva Scheve is the author of The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer. She and her husband Tom are the owners of EquiSpirit Horse Trailers. Built and designed for your horse’s safety.

    More articles at articles on database

    Trailering Your Horses Safely!

    Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Saturday 15 August 2009 9:52 pm

    Theres a horse show across the state in a few weeks, and youre planning on being there with your horses. However, its been awhile since you last pulled a horse trailer, and youre a little concerned about your trailering skills. After all, you want to arrive at your destination safely, with the horses as calm and relaxed as possible.

    Guiding a loaded horse trailer down a country road or highway requires practical experience and know-how. Theres very little room for error. What do you do to ensure a safe, uneventful journey?

    How to Ensure Safe Trailering

    If youre out of practice, or if youve never towed a trailer before, obtaining adequate personal experience prior to the actual event is of the utmost importance. Just as if you were learning to drive for the first time, you should begin by practicing basic driving skills before getting out in traffic with the trailer.

    The more experienced you become, the more prepared you will be for anything that may potentially happen. With more confidence and a higher level of awareness and preparedness, you should be better able to handle any unexpected situation that comes along.

    Find a level field or a parking lot in which to practice. Mark your course with several highway cones, then, set out to work on the following driving skills:

  • Turning with your trailer.
  • Backing your trailer.
  • Parking your trailer on a grade.
  • Stopping the trailer rig suddenly.
  • Ready for the Highway

    After youve practiced all the basic driving skills while pulling your horse trailer and you feel confident in your ability to handle the rig safely, youre ready to test your skills out on the road.

    Try towing your trailer for short distances, at first. Make sure that you feel comfortable with turning corners in traffic, with backing your trailer, with parking on a grade, and with being able to stop your trailer quickly (should the need arise). Once you are confident in your towing abilities, youre ready to travel any distance with your horses.

    Just remember to always be alert when out on the roads. Drive defensively and be prepared for any possible situation.

    Neva Scheve is the author of The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer. She and her husband Tom are the owners of EquiSpirit Horse Trailers. Built and designed for your horse’s safety.

    More articles at articles database

    Trailering Your Horses Safely!

    Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Saturday 15 August 2009 5:52 pm

    Theres a horse show across the state in a few weeks, and youre planning on being there with your horses. However, its been awhile since you last pulled a horse trailer, and youre a little concerned about your trailering skills. After all, you want to arrive at your destination safely, with the horses as calm and relaxed as possible.

    Guiding a loaded horse trailer down a country road or highway requires practical experience and know-how. Theres very little room for error. What do you do to ensure a safe, uneventful journey?

    How to Ensure Safe Trailering

    If youre out of practice, or if youve never towed a trailer before, obtaining adequate personal experience prior to the actual event is of the utmost importance. Just as if you were learning to drive for the first time, you should begin by practicing basic driving skills before getting out in traffic with the trailer.

    The more experienced you become, the more prepared you will be for anything that may potentially happen. With more confidence and a higher level of awareness and preparedness, you should be better able to handle any unexpected situation that comes along.

    Find a level field or a parking lot in which to practice. Mark your course with several highway cones, then, set out to work on the following driving skills:

  • Turning with your trailer.
  • Backing your trailer.
  • Parking your trailer on a grade.
  • Stopping the trailer rig suddenly.
  • Ready for the Highway

    After youve practiced all the basic driving skills while pulling your horse trailer and you feel confident in your ability to handle the rig safely, youre ready to test your skills out on the road.

    Try towing your trailer for short distances, at first. Make sure that you feel comfortable with turning corners in traffic, with backing your trailer, with parking on a grade, and with being able to stop your trailer quickly (should the need arise). Once you are confident in your towing abilities, youre ready to travel any distance with your horses.

    Just remember to always be alert when out on the roads. Drive defensively and be prepared for any possible situation.

    Neva Scheve is the author of The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer. She and her husband Tom are the owners of EquiSpirit Horse Trailers. Built and designed for your horse’s safety.

    More articles at article database

    Trailering Your Horses Safely!

    Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Saturday 15 August 2009 9:52 am

    Theres a horse show across the state in a few weeks, and youre planning on being there with your horses. However, its been awhile since you last pulled a horse trailer, and youre a little concerned about your trailering skills. After all, you want to arrive at your destination safely, with the horses as calm and relaxed as possible.

    Guiding a loaded horse trailer down a country road or highway requires practical experience and know-how. Theres very little room for error. What do you do to ensure a safe, uneventful journey?

    How to Ensure Safe Trailering

    If youre out of practice, or if youve never towed a trailer before, obtaining adequate personal experience prior to the actual event is of the utmost importance. Just as if you were learning to drive for the first time, you should begin by practicing basic driving skills before getting out in traffic with the trailer.

    The more experienced you become, the more prepared you will be for anything that may potentially happen. With more confidence and a higher level of awareness and preparedness, you should be better able to handle any unexpected situation that comes along.

    Find a level field or a parking lot in which to practice. Mark your course with several highway cones, then, set out to work on the following driving skills:

  • Turning with your trailer.
  • Backing your trailer.
  • Parking your trailer on a grade.
  • Stopping the trailer rig suddenly.
  • Ready for the Highway

    After youve practiced all the basic driving skills while pulling your horse trailer and you feel confident in your ability to handle the rig safely, youre ready to test your skills out on the road.

    Try towing your trailer for short distances, at first. Make sure that you feel comfortable with turning corners in traffic, with backing your trailer, with parking on a grade, and with being able to stop your trailer quickly (should the need arise). Once you are confident in your towing abilities, youre ready to travel any distance with your horses.

    Just remember to always be alert when out on the roads. Drive defensively and be prepared for any possible situation.

    Neva Scheve is the author of The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer. She and her husband Tom are the owners of EquiSpirit Horse Trailers. Built and designed for your horse’s safety.

    More articles at article database

    Trailering Your Horses Safely!

    Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Friday 14 August 2009 5:52 pm

    Theres a horse show across the state in a few weeks, and youre planning on being there with your horses. However, its been awhile since you last pulled a horse trailer, and youre a little concerned about your trailering skills. After all, you want to arrive at your destination safely, with the horses as calm and relaxed as possible.

    Guiding a loaded horse trailer down a country road or highway requires practical experience and know-how. Theres very little room for error. What do you do to ensure a safe, uneventful journey?

    How to Ensure Safe Trailering

    If youre out of practice, or if youve never towed a trailer before, obtaining adequate personal experience prior to the actual event is of the utmost importance. Just as if you were learning to drive for the first time, you should begin by practicing basic driving skills before getting out in traffic with the trailer.

    The more experienced you become, the more prepared you will be for anything that may potentially happen. With more confidence and a higher level of awareness and preparedness, you should be better able to handle any unexpected situation that comes along.

    Find a level field or a parking lot in which to practice. Mark your course with several highway cones, then, set out to work on the following driving skills:

  • Turning with your trailer.
  • Backing your trailer.
  • Parking your trailer on a grade.
  • Stopping the trailer rig suddenly.
  • Ready for the Highway

    After youve practiced all the basic driving skills while pulling your horse trailer and you feel confident in your ability to handle the rig safely, youre ready to test your skills out on the road.

    Try towing your trailer for short distances, at first. Make sure that you feel comfortable with turning corners in traffic, with backing your trailer, with parking on a grade, and with being able to stop your trailer quickly (should the need arise). Once you are confident in your towing abilities, youre ready to travel any distance with your horses.

    Just remember to always be alert when out on the roads. Drive defensively and be prepared for any possible situation.

    Neva Scheve is the author of The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer. She and her husband Tom are the owners of EquiSpirit Horse Trailers. Built and designed for your horse’s safety.

    More articles at article database

    How To Groom Your Horse For Results You’ll Be Proud Of Part 3

    Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Friday 14 August 2009 10:00 am

    The fact is that most of us horse lovers don’t groom our horses properly. This could be due to lots of things – time, motivation, circumstances etc. What we need to realise is that time with our horse is bonding time. Remember that in the wild, horses groom each other and that’s the basis for their relationships with each other. If we don’t take the trouble to groom our horses properly, then we can’t expect to forge the bonds we want between us and if this doesn’t happen then we can’t expect the partnership benefits we look for either. If we take the time, if we have the patience, if we use the right techniques AND the right products, then we’ll forge a bond of trust between us and our horses that will last forever.

    Domesticated horses rely on humans to provide the opportunity for skin care, unlike the wild horse where they have the opportunity to groom each other! Grooming should be incorporated into the daily routine of owning and managing your horse to maintain its health and happiness. This practice increases the circulation to the skin, releasing necessary oils that promote a vibrant and lustrous coat. Daily grooming allows the coat to be shed gradually, easing the burden of trying to remove long hair and excess dead skin. A horse that is worked regularly should be thoroughly and properly groomed at all times.

    Grooming not only allows us to give our horses a shiny, short, healthy coat, it also gives us the opportunity to go over our beautiful animals from head to toe, to notice any abnormalities such as cuts, wounds, irritations, fevers that your horse may have developed. The H-10 product range for first aid, H-10 Ointment and Spray is perfect to treat these problems.

    Stages Of Grooming part 3

    Rugging & Rugs.

    Rugging – Horses should be rugged according to their environment, season, level of work, feeding patterns and whether they are stabled or kept in a paddock. Rugging practices must be taken into account when you are caring for the health and happiness of your horse.

    Poor rugging practices create a source of discomfort for your horse and can often be cruel. An owner may not see it as intentional act, however keeping your horse rugged all the time, irrespective of temperature changes can be highly irresponsible, i.e. leaving heavy weight rugs on in winter temperatures that are still in the mid twenties! Horses are mammals, and all mammals to remain healthy must be able to maintain their body temperature within a narrow range to avoid metabolic problems. Certainly they can feel the cold like us; however they compensate for this by growing a coat in winter and then fluffing it if necessary, so trapping air to create extra warmth. But horses can also get very hot!

    Horses, like us humans sweat to keep themselves cool. However, the evaporative cooling effects of sweating won?t work effectively if a horse has a rug on. Overheating can lead to issues such as Heat Stress if your horse or horses cannot lose enough body heat due to impeding rugs. This in turn can lead to health problems such as dehydration, loss of electrolytes, lack of Vitamin D and possibly even to an inability to sweat! Therefore, if you feel hot so too will your horse!

    Do not try and substitute grooming for rugging and always take a practical and sensible approach to rugging! Good feed and hard work along with this sensible approach to rugging will assist you and your horse maintain a healthy coat throughout the year. Remember, rugging is no substitute for adequate food in keeping your paddocked horse in top condition in winter, or in giving horses in work greater performance.

    Rugs & Rug Types ? A good horse rug should fit properly and be suitably lined on the shoulders to avoid rubbing. There is an array of rugs ranging from heavy canvas to ultra lightweight cotton or satin fly sheets. A standard canvas paddock rug is waterproof and lined. Lighter fabrics can be used for paddocks and can be bought as a rip stop product. Quilted and fibre filled rugs are also available and price will always reflect quality! Tail and neck pieces on some rugs are added for protection and warmth. Wool or wool/synthetic mixtures are used for stable rugs or blankets.

    Hoods also come in a variety of materials for both paddock use and stable use. They should also be used sensibly and fitted accordingly to the horse?s size, and should be secured properly to the rug.

    This is part 3 of the course and we hope that you’ve enjoyed it.

    This course is co-written by Geoff Roberts & Michael Glenn who run H-10 Australia, a company specialising in the supply of quality horse grooming & associated products. http://www.h-10.com.au If you want to sample a chapter from the life of a world famous horse trainer and learn some of his secrets for free go here: http://www.h-10.com.au/beery/index.htm

    Just Horsing Around

    Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Thursday 13 August 2009 10:00 am

    1. What is the fear of horses called?
    A. Hippophobia
    B. Riddiophobia
    C. Sadlophobia
    D. Equiphobia

    A. Hippophobia
    TBD: Hey, you know we dosn’t make this stuff up, right?!?

    2. Which is NOT a form of horse racing?
    A. Flat racing
    B. Harness racing
    C. Steeplechasing
    D. Hop-scotching

    D. Hop-scotching
    TBD: Did you know that horse racing may well be the oldest sport? By the time humans began recording history it was already well established. Does that mean that book making may really be the oldest profession?

    3. Which is NOT a breed of American saddle horse?
    A. Tennessee Walker
    B. Morgan
    C. Quarter Horse
    D. Kentucky Sprinter

    D. Kentucky Sprinter
    TBD: Although, it could be an unofficial breed!

    4. The horse’s single toe on each of its four feet is its most marked anatomical characteristic and makes it a perissodactyl or odd-toed ungulate. The horse shares this trait with which other animal?
    A. Rhinoceros
    B. Tapir
    C. Elephant
    D. Cow
    E. A and B
    F. C and D

    E. A and B
    TBD: Very curious, indeed.

    5. Which is NOT one of the three classic American races that make up the Triple Crown?
    A. The Bluegrass Stakes
    B. The Belmont Stakes
    C. The Preakness Stakes
    D. The Kentucky Derby

    A. The Bluegrass Stakes
    TBD: Even though we live in Kentucky, we haven’t attended the Kentucky Derby, but we have been to the Bluegrass Stakes (which is a precursor to the Derby) and won money!

    6. How were horses introduced to the Americas?
    A. They were brought by Spanish Conquistadors and explorers in the 16th century.
    B. They crossed the land bridge with early man.
    C. They were always there.
    D. Leif Eriksson and his Viking crew brought them.

    A. They were brought by Spanish Conquistadors and explorers in the 16th century.
    TBD: Apparently a species of horse developed in America, but died out, possibly due to disease, so there was no native horse.

    7. Is one of these NOT a breed of draft horse?
    A. Belgian heavy draft horse
    B. English shire
    C. Clydesdale
    D. Percheron
    E. They are all draft horses!

    E. They are all draft horses!
    TBD: As primarily a visual connoisseur of horses, The QuizQueen is partial to the Clydesdale.

    8. The Roman Emperor Caligula is famous for many things, but he was also a horse lover, so maybe he wasn’t all bad. What did he once want to do for his favorite horse, Incitatus?
    A. Name her his consort.
    B. Name him his successor as emperor.
    C. Appoint him consul of Rome.
    D. None of the above, he actually ate roasted horse for dinner every night.

    C. Appoint him consul of Rome.
    TBD: As if we needed still further proof of what a very bizarre person he was.

    9. The moons of Mars are named for the mythical horses that drew the chariot of Mars, the god of war. Can you name them?
    A. There was only one horse, Pegasus.
    B. Phobos and Deimos
    C. Logos, Pathos, and Ethos
    D. Alpha, Beta, Sigma, and Theta.

    B. Phobos and Deimos
    TBD: Hey, that was hard, but you had a shot if you knew either your astrology or your Greek mythology, right?

    10. One of the most famous horses in television history is Mr. Ed. Which is NOT a true Mr. Ed fact?v A. His original name was Bamboo Harvester.
    B. He lived to be 30 years old and died Feb. 28, 1979.
    C. He was raised to be a parade and show horse.
    D. He was Roy Roger’s original sidekick, before Trigger.

    D. He was Roy Roger’s original sidekick, before Trigger.
    TBD: He was however owned by the president of the California Palomino Society.

    11. What was man’s earliest relationship with horses?
    A. Dinner: Man hunted the horse.
    B. Dinner: The formerly carnivorous horse hunted man.
    C. Transportation: Man used the horse for hauling and transporting himself and his goods.
    D. Security: The early horse helped keep watch for danger.

    A. Dinner: Man hunted the horse.
    TBD: Although by the Bronze Age man was using the domesticated horse, in the earlier Stone Age the relationship was strictly food chain.

    12. How many horses have been Triple Crown winners?
    A. 11
    B. 21
    C. 31
    D. 13

    A. 11
    TBD: They are Sir Barton, Gallant Fox, Omaha, War Admiral, Whirlaway, Count Fleet, Assault, Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed. The last one was in 1978.

    Deanna Mascle loves trivia so much she runs Trivia By Dawggone and two trivia ezines, Fun Trivia Online and Trivia Tidbit.

    Trailering Your Horses Safely!

    Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Thursday 13 August 2009 5:52 am

    Theres a horse show across the state in a few weeks, and youre planning on being there with your horses. However, its been awhile since you last pulled a horse trailer, and youre a little concerned about your trailering skills. After all, you want to arrive at your destination safely, with the horses as calm and relaxed as possible.

    Guiding a loaded horse trailer down a country road or highway requires practical experience and know-how. Theres very little room for error. What do you do to ensure a safe, uneventful journey?

    How to Ensure Safe Trailering

    If youre out of practice, or if youve never towed a trailer before, obtaining adequate personal experience prior to the actual event is of the utmost importance. Just as if you were learning to drive for the first time, you should begin by practicing basic driving skills before getting out in traffic with the trailer.

    The more experienced you become, the more prepared you will be for anything that may potentially happen. With more confidence and a higher level of awareness and preparedness, you should be better able to handle any unexpected situation that comes along.

    Find a level field or a parking lot in which to practice. Mark your course with several highway cones, then, set out to work on the following driving skills:

  • Turning with your trailer.
  • Backing your trailer.
  • Parking your trailer on a grade.
  • Stopping the trailer rig suddenly.
  • Ready for the Highway

    After youve practiced all the basic driving skills while pulling your horse trailer and you feel confident in your ability to handle the rig safely, youre ready to test your skills out on the road.

    Try towing your trailer for short distances, at first. Make sure that you feel comfortable with turning corners in traffic, with backing your trailer, with parking on a grade, and with being able to stop your trailer quickly (should the need arise). Once you are confident in your towing abilities, youre ready to travel any distance with your horses.

    Just remember to always be alert when out on the roads. Drive defensively and be prepared for any possible situation.

    Neva Scheve is the author of The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer. She and her husband Tom are the owners of EquiSpirit Horse Trailers. Built and designed for your horse’s safety.

    More articles at article database

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