Get into gear with the Tui Safety Bar

By Joanne Bednall

Gear news

28 November 2008 12:36

Tui Equestrian, manufacturers of an innovative travel safety tool, have teamed up with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to offer some top towing tips:

• If your lorry or trailer has a wooden floor, check it often for signs of rotting.

• Power wash the outside and underside of your box regularly, especially after use.

• Have your trailer or horsebox serviced on a regular basis, including a full check on the brakes.

• Before driving, check the tyres for signs of wear and ensure that tyre pressures are correct.

• Make sure all lights and indicators are working.

• Never use a single axle trailer to tow a horse.

• Try to avoid travelling alone – take a friend or relative with you, who can help in the event of an accident.

• Ensure the towing hitch is the correct height for the trailer and that the trailer can be towed level, to prevent uneven tyre wear.

• Your horse cannot see where he is going and is unable to prepare himself for sudden movements, so drive smoothly and thoughtfully.

• Always load a single horse on the right hand side and if possible travel two horses together.

• Remember the emergency numbers for your breakdown service, vet and insurance company.

• Consider installing a Tui Safety Bar – the unique, must-have tool for every trailer owner. It enables you to secure your horse in the trailer single-handedly, while allowing you to release him in seconds from outside should he become trapped.

This handy gadget is the easiest, quickest and safest system for releasing the bars from outside the trailer in the event of an accident, alleviating the need for emergency services to cut the horse free.

Not only does the Tui Safety Bar reduce the risk of injury to both horse and handler when loading, it is useful for difficult and young horses and can act as an internal roll cage if the trailer topples over, protecting your horse.

The TUI Bar system can be self-installed and costs £464.13 or £528.75, depending on the make or model of trailer.

For more information, or a free DVD on the Tui Safety Bar, presented by Lucinda Green, call 0844 800 9848 or visit www.tuiequestrian.co.uk