What to Pack in Your Horse Trailer Emergency Kit
Be ready for anything on the road—because horse safety starts with preparation.
🐴 INTRODUCTION
Every horse owner dreads the thought of something going wrong while hauling. Whether it’s a flat tyre, a horse panic, or a breakdown miles from help, having the right tools on hand can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a full-blown emergency.
A well-stocked horse trailer emergency kit isn’t just about peace of mind—it’s a critical part of safe, responsible transport. In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly what you should have on board, with input from transport safety experts and UK animal welfare guidelines.
🔧 ESSENTIALS FOR THE TRAILER AND VEHICLE
Before you load the horse, make sure your rig is ready for the unexpected:
✅ For the vehicle and trailer:
Spare wheel & tyre changing kit (including jack and wheel brace)
Breakdown triangle and high-vis jacket
Tow rope and heavy-duty jumper cables
Fire extinguisher (dry powder, vehicle-rated)
Tyre pressure gauge and tyre inflator
Trailer lock and hitch security
Spare trailer bulbs and fuses
Torch or LED work light (with spare batteries or rechargeable)
💡 Tip: Check your trailer’s floor, brakes, hitch, and tyres regularly. The British Horse Society recommends a full trailer service at least once a year, and a safety inspection before every journey 1.
🧰 FOR THE HORSE: SAFETY & CARE ITEMS
These are vital for calming, treating, or controlling your horse in stressful situations:
🐎 Basic equine first aid kit:
Thermometer and stethoscope
Antiseptic spray or iodine
Bandages (vet wrap, gauze, cotton wool)
Scissors and tweezers
Wound dressing pads
Saline solution or sterile water
Electrolyte paste or powder
Emergency contact numbers (vet, yard, insurance)
Recommended by both the BHS and the National Equine Welfare Council for all travelling equines 1, 2.
🪢 Handling and restraint:
Spare halter and lead rope
Lunge line or long rope (for loose horses or training)
Head collar with breakaway feature
Calming ear plugs or fly hood
Sweat rug or cooler (for shock or travel stress)
According to a 2014 study by Padalino et al., transport-related behaviour problems affect up to 25% of horses, with issues including refusal to load, rearing, and panic in transit 3. Having calm, controlled handling tools on board is essential.
🚨 SPECIALIST SAFETY ITEMS
These extras can be life-saving in a real emergency:
🛠️ Trailer safety tools:
Emergency knife or hoof knife
To cut ropes or remove tack in a panic.
ESR Bar or quick-release breast bar mechanism
The ESR Bar allows handlers to release a stuck or suspended horse from the other side of the trailer divider, avoiding personal risk. Horses that rear over breast bars can become dangerously trapped.
Fixed bars have been identified as a significant hazard in trailer-related injuries 4, 5.Heavy gloves and eye protection
For handling panicking horses or broken metal/rubber.
Many modern trailers include quick-release features—but budget or older models do not. Retrofit solutions like the ESR Bar provide an affordable upgrade.
💼 FOR THE RIDER OR DRIVER
Keeping yourself safe is just as important:
Phone charger or power bank
Printed emergency contacts and insurance info
Snacks and water
Raincoat or waterproofs
Notebook and pen (for logging incidents or delays)
Roadside visibility, hydration, and quick comms are consistently recommended by BHS and DEFRA in UK transport guidance 16.
📁 USEFUL EXTRAS
These aren't essential, but they’re smart to have on board:
Bailing twine
Duct tape
Mirror on a telescopic pole (to check around the trailer without opening doors)
Bucket and sponge
Hay net and water container
Equine passport and health records
DEFRA regulations require you to carry the horse’s passport while travelling in the UK 6.
🗂️ PACK IT SMART
Use a clearly marked plastic container, tack trunk, or dedicated emergency bag. Label sections for first aid, tools, horse gear, and documents. Store it near the ramp or in the towing vehicle for fast access.
Review your kit every few months to check expiry dates, restock used supplies, and adjust for seasonal needs (e.g. fly spray in summer, thermal rugs in winter).
🚛 PREPAREDNESS = PROTECTION
You can’t predict everything—but you can prepare. A well-stocked horse trailer emergency kit gives you the tools and confidence to respond calmly to whatever the road throws at you.
And for horse owners looking to upgrade their safety gear, the ESR Bar offers one of the most practical, affordable ways to improve emergency readiness—especially in older trailers that lack modern release systems.
Because when things go wrong, being prepared might be the most important thing you’ve packed all day.
📚 SOURCES
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Footnotes
British Horse Society – Transporting Horses Safely Guide (2022).
https://www.bhs.org.uk/media/qz3j5nqt/bhs-transporting-horses-safely.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3National Equine Welfare Council – Transport Best Practices for Horses.
https://newc.co.uk/publications ↩Padalino, B., Raidal, S. et al. (2014). Equine Transport-Related Problem Behaviours and Welfare.
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2014.02.002 ↩EquiSpirit Horse Trailers – Horse Trailer Safety Tips.
https://www.equispirit.com/info/safety.htm ↩International Society for Equitation Science – Transport Stress in Horses.
https://www.equitationscience.com ↩DEFRA – Welfare of Animals During Transport Regulations 2006 (UK).
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-welfare#transporting-animals ↩ ↩2
