Introduction
A breakdown or emergency while hauling your horse is every owner’s nightmare. Whether you’re dealing with a flat tire, injured horse, or unexpected delay, having an essential horse trailer emergency kit can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major crisis.
From first-aid supplies to roadside safety gear, this guide covers everything you should pack to be prepared for any trailer emergency.
1. Horse First-Aid Kit 🏥
Your horse’s health is the top priority in an emergency. Always carry a fully stocked first-aid kit in your trailer.
✅ Thermometer – Check for overheating, colic, or fever
✅ Banamine & Bute (vet-prescribed) – For colic or pain management
✅ Antiseptic Spray & Wound Cleaner – Clean minor cuts and scrapes
✅ Vet Wrap & Gauze Pads – For bandaging injuries
✅ Scissors & Tweezers – Cut wraps or remove debris from wounds
✅ Electrolytes – Prevent dehydration during long hauls
✅ Hoof Pick & Hoof Boot – Protect a hoof if a shoe comes off
✅ Stethoscope – Monitor heart rate and gut sounds
✅ Cold Packs – For swelling or muscle soreness
💡 Pro Tip: Keep your first-aid kit in an easy-to-reach location and check supplies regularly for expiration.
2. Emergency Roadside Repair Kit 🔧
Trailer breakdowns happen. Be prepared to handle basic repairs while waiting for roadside assistance.
✅ Spare Trailer Tire – Ensure it’s inflated and in good condition
✅ Easy-to-Use Tire Jack – Instead of a manual crank jack, consider the Camco Trailer Aid Plus, Andersen Hitches Rapid Jack or the EZ JACK Aluminum Tandem-Axle Trailer Jack. These allow you to simply place the jack under the good tire and drive up, lifting the flat tire off the ground without needing to crank it manually.
✅ Lug Nut Removal Tool – A Torque Multiplier Lug Wrench can help remove stubborn lug nuts without excessive strength. This tool increases torque, making it easier to loosen lug nuts that are too tight to remove by hand.
✅ WD-40 & Lubricants – Keep locks, hinges, and hitch parts moving smoothly
✅ Duct Tape & Zip Ties – Quick fixes for minor repairs
✅ Trailer Hitch Lock & Safety Chains – Ensure your trailer stays securely attached
✅ Extra Trailer Fuses & Light Bulbs – For unexpected electrical failures
✅ Tire Pressure Gauge – Check trailer and truck tires before every trip
💡 Pro Tip: Practice changing a trailer tire at home using the jack and lug wrench before you need to do it on the road.
3. Visibility & Roadside Safety Gear 🚦
If your trailer breaks down, making yourself visible to other drivers is critical.
✅ Reflective Safety Triangles or LED Road Flares – Warn other drivers
✅ High-Visibility Vest – Wear when outside the vehicle at night
✅ Heavy-Duty Flashlight (with extra batteries) – For checking trailer issues in the dark
✅ Headlamp – Allows hands-free lighting for repairs or handling horses
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a battery-powered phone charger in your truck in case of emergency.
4. Horse Containment & Safety Gear 🐴
If you must unload your horse due to an accident or breakdown, have the right safety gear ready.
✅ Extra Halters & Lead Ropes (1 per horse) – In case one breaks
✅ Portable Horse Panels or High-Tie System – If stranded for long hours
✅ Longe Line – If you need to walk the horse while waiting for help
✅ Fly Mask & Fly Spray – Essential for keeping bugs off while waiting roadside
💡 Pro Tip: Never unload on the side of a highway unless absolutely necessary!
5. Emergency Contact Information & Roadside Assistance 📞
Having the right emergency contacts and roadside assistance membership can make a huge difference in a stressful situation.
📍 Your Vet’s Phone Number
📍 Emergency Equine Transport Services (in case your trailer becomes unusable)
📍 Roadside Assistance for Equestrians – Consider joining US Rider, a specialized roadside assistance service for horse owners that covers towing, breakdowns, flat tires, and lockouts while hauling a horse trailer.
📍 Equine Emergency Clinics Along Your Route
💡 Pro Tip: Program emergency numbers into your phone before the trip and keep a laminated copy in your truck and trailer for quick reference.
🚛 Final Emergency Kit Checklist ✅
🐴 Horse First-Aid Supplies:
☐ Thermometer & Stethoscope
☐ Banamine & Bute (vet-prescribed)
☐ Wound care (antiseptic, gauze, vet wrap)
☐ Hoof pick & hoof boot
🔧 Trailer Repair & Roadside Kit:
☐ Spare tire, Andersen Hitches Rapid Jack or EZ JACK
☐ Torque Multiplier Lug Wrench for easy lug nut removal
☐ WD-40, duct tape, zip ties
☐ Trailer hitch lock & extra fuses
🚦 Roadside Visibility & Safety Gear:
☐ Reflective safety triangles or LED flares
☐ Flashlight & headlamp (extra batteries)
☐ High-visibility vest
🐴 Horse Containment & Safety Gear:
☐ Extra halters & lead ropes
☐ Portable horse panels or high-tie system
☐ Longe line & fly mask
📞 Emergency Contact Information:
☐ Vet’s number & emergency clinics along the route
☐ US Rider Roadside Assistance membership for equestrian breakdown coverage
☐ Other roadside assistance or equine transport services
Final Thoughts
A well-stocked horse trailer emergency kit is non-negotiable for safe equine travel. Even if you never need to use it, being prepared means you’re ready for anything—from a simple flat tire to a life-threatening situation.