It is not to early to plan

Last week, my wife, Pat and I met our son and his wife for dinner.  As he is a sheriff’s deputy, he glanced at my car tags and asked if I knew my car tags were expired.  Yep, they sure were.

When I got home, I went on-line to renew it.  The Virginia DMV was kind enough to also show my driver’s license expires this Spring.  My horse trailer expires in February and my stock trailer’s State Inspection ran out on the 31st as well.

Get a credit card for fuel only.  If it gets stolen or hacked, it has a maximum value such as $300, $500 or whatever you choose.  This safeguards your other higher limit cards.

Go by your bank and meet the manager.  If something goes wrong on the road, it gives you a real person to call who knows you.  You would be surprised what a bank manager can do for you in an emergency, if they know you. They can also flag your bank debit card that you are out of the country or traveling. Most debit bank cards will not work out of the country.  Some banks will decline purchases out of your usual purchase areas.  Knowing your local bank manager can fix a lot of stuff.

Call your vet and check to see if there are any special requirements, such as specific vaccinations, for your equine in the state you are traveling to. There may be a regional outbreak that limits travel or requires specific vaccinations or tests before they will let you bring an equine there.

Each spring, I take my LQ trailer for a quick ‘spin around the block’.  My destination is the local feed co-op.  I have the truck and trailer weighed.  At most feed mills or co-ops, there is no charge.  This accomplishes several things:  First, you get a check of the electric brakes, signals, lights and wiring to see if they all work.  Second, you get a printed weight slip with date and weight printed on it.  With larger trailers these days, it gives you something to show a local police officer as an assurance that you are not overweight.  It happens.  It also lets you rest easier when you approach that remote ride location when you have to cross a local bridge with a weight restriction.

Your health:  Write neatly on an index card your insurance and health information (including one for each family member).  If there is an accident, most rescue squads will not let you go with them to the hospital, especially if there is a helicopter flight involved.  This gives the rescue folks the ability to save time at the hospital as the card shows, blood type, any allergic concerns, a list of medications being taken, your doctor’s name and contact information, your insurance information and your contact information so they can also call you.   I know hospitals deny it, but decisions can be made quicker with this information including if you have insurance.  In the event of an accident, simply pin the card on the injured person so no time is lost waiting for information for faster treatment.