Re: Trailer accidents

[Bluebirdpr@aol.com]

When I lived in Cleveland, Ohio I was driving home from work in a white out
snow storm and just in front of me a pickup towing a two horse tagalong lost
control on an ice covered bridge.  The trailer flipped and slid about 50 yards
before resting up against a guard rail (this was on an Interstate).  I
immediately turned my car sideways with the flashers on to stop traffic from
behind.  Luckily there were two tractor trailers behind me and they were
slowing down for the icy bridge.  I ran up to the horse trailer and the man
and wife were in shock.  I looked in and saw one horse upside down but was not
moving.  Me and one for the truck drivers ripped off what was left of the rear
door.  I finally got the attention of the husband and told him to go into the
trailer and unhook the tie down and to talk to the horse and to sit on the
horse's neck if the horse regained conscious.  No sooner had he unhooked the
horse, he woke up and started thrashing.  Knowing we had to get the horse out
ASAP I grabbed a leg and the two truck drivers grabbed the tail and we agreed
to pull as hard as we could on three.  We pulled and the horse slid out like
he was on butter and as soon as his head cleared the trailer he popped up like
a cork.  He looked around, snorted and stood perfectly still. We found a
blanket and walked him down to the next exit (not far) and waited for another
trailer.  The clincher is that this horse was a standard bred race trotter and
raced four days later and other than minor cuts and bruises never had any
problems.  I guess someone was watching over this guy.  I feel fortunate that
I had horse experience and didn't panic.  Also having two big truck drivers
beside you helps, although neither would grab this horse's legs.  They said
they were very comfortable pulling his tail.  

Phil