Printable worksheets and checklists from the best selling book Going Is Optional. Stopping Is Not.
Good hauling begins long before the truck leaves the barn. It begins with understanding the rig, noticing small problems, and building habits that make safe decisions easier.
The worksheets and checklists on this page are designed to help you put those ideas into practice. Download the resources you need, print them, and keep them where you will use them.
Weights and Matching
Understanding the relationship between the truck, trailer, horses, people, and equipment is one of the most important parts of safe hauling. A truck can be within its advertised towing limit and still exceed its payload, axle, tire, or hitch ratings.
Truck and Trailer Weight Worksheet
Record the ratings for your truck and trailer, calculate the weight being carried, and compare your planned load with the limits that apply to your rig.
Use this worksheet to check:
- Truck payload
- Loaded truck weight
- Loaded trailer weight
- Combined weight
- Axle ratings
- Tire capacities
- Hitch limits
- Tongue or pin weight
Related reading: Chapter 5, Tow Vehicle and Trailer Matching
[Download the Weight Worksheet]
Inspections
A trailer rarely goes from sound to unsafe without warning. Floors soften, tires age, and fasteners loosen. Regular inspections help you find those changes while they are still manageable.
Trailer Inspection Checklist
Use this checklist to examine the trailer’s structure, floor, roof, doors, dividers, windows, hinges, latches, wiring, tires, wheels, and other critical components.
Related reading: Chapters 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10
[Download the Trailer Inspection Checklist]
Before You Leave
The last few minutes before departure are when small omissions become larger problems. A consistent routine reduces the chance that something important will be forgotten.
Pre-Trip Checklist
Confirm that the truck, trailer, horses, equipment, doors, windows, lights, brakes, hitch, safety chains, and breakaway system are ready before you pull out.
Related reading: Chapter 13, Before You Pull Out
[Download the Pre-Trip Checklist]
Trip Information Sheet
Record your destination, route, emergency contacts, veterinarian information, horse identification, insurance information, and important details about the truck and trailer.
Keep one copy in the truck and leave another with someone who knows your plans.
Related reading: Chapter 15, Emergency Preparedness
[Download the Trip Information Sheet]
Emergencies and Roadside Problems
Emergencies are easier to manage when the important decisions have already been made. These resources help you organize the information, equipment, and procedures you may need when a trip stops going according to plan.
How to Change a Tire Video
Roadside Emergency Checklist
A practical guide for securing the rig, protecting the horses, assessing the situation, calling for help, and deciding what should happen next.
Related reading: Chapters 15 and 18
[Download the Roadside Emergency Checklist]
Emergency Contact Sheet
Keep essential telephone numbers and insurance, veterinary, towing, and roadside-assistance information in one place.
[Download the Emergency Contact Sheet]
Tools to Keep in your Trailer
[Download the Emergency Tool List]
Equine First Aid Kit Contents
Maintenance
Maintenance is easiest to postpone when everything appears to be working. A written record replaces memory with a system.
Trailer Maintenance Schedule
Track inspections, brake service, bearing service, tire age, floor inspections, battery testing, electrical repairs, and other recurring maintenance.
Related reading: Chapter 16, Maintenance Schedules
[Download the Maintenance Schedule]
About the Book
Going Is Optional. Stopping Is Not.
Most trailer wrecks do not begin dramatically. They begin as assumptions.
This book helps horse owners understand how their truck and trailer work together, recognize unsafe assumptions, identify developing problems, and make more informed hauling decisions.
It is not a horse-loading manual, repair manual, or substitute for manufacturer instructions. It is a guide to understanding the rig, recognizing problems, building safer habits, and knowing when additional expertise is needed.
Safe hauling is good horsemanship practiced before you ever reach the trailhead.
[Learn More About the Book]
[Buy the Book]
Get New Resources from TrailMeister
Practical information for people who travel with horses and mules
Join the TrailMeister newsletter for practical guidance about trailer safety, trail riding, horse camping, backcountry horsemanship, clinics, destinations, and new downloadable resources.
Subscribers will also be notified when checklists are updated or new materials are added to this collection.
[Get the TrailMeister Newsletter]
About TrailMeister
TrailMeister helps horse owners find places to ride and develop the skills needed to travel safely with horses and mules.
Founded by author and clinician Robert Eversole, TrailMeister.com includes horse trails and camps across North America, along with practical information about trail riding, horse camping, backcountry skills, trailer safety, clinics, and life with horses and mules.
Whether you are preparing for your first trip away from the arena or traveling days from the nearest paved road, the goal remains the same: prepare carefully, make thoughtful decisions, and bring everyone safely home.
Explore TrailMeister.com
Find Horse Trails and Camps
View Clinics and Events
Important Note
These worksheets and checklists are planning aids. They do not replace the instructions, ratings, inspection procedures, or maintenance requirements provided by the manufacturers of your truck, trailer, hitch, tires, and related equipment. When ratings conflict, the lowest applicable limit controls.