A Lesson In Horse Trailer Lighting

As a mother, wife, and business owner, “Blowing a fuse” occurs occasionally throughout my many duties. This week, we have been preparing our pony for an upcoming horse show at HITS (Horse Shows in the Sun) in Ocala, Florida.  We needed to trailer our pony to the local riding lesson barn this week for a practice lesson before the show. 

When I hooked up the horse trailer, I went through my normal horse trailer hook up routine.  Attached the trailer to the ball, fasten all wires, attach all cables, check the tires, and check the trailer lights. I noticed that my running lights on the trailer were not working with my truck lights on.  The turning signal and break lights worked, but no running lights.  I took a risk and shipped the pony, during the day, to the local barn.   After I dropped the pony off, I took my horse trailer to the local trailer business in my area.  Allen’s Trailers does an excellent job working on all types of trailers and seem to know how to fix just about anything.  I dropped the trailer off and asked them to service the trailer lights, tires, and axles. Today, I picked up the trailer and started with my horse trailer hook up routine.  Attach the trailer to the ball, connect the chains, cables, and check the lights.  I turned the truck lights on, no “sign of light” with the horse trailer running lights.  A small sense of worry kicks in while thinking “how can we fix these lights?”  Immediately, the owner of the business, asked for my truck manual.  He opened the hood and went straight to the fuse box.  Ford Fuse #28, a 25-amp fuse, was blown.  This blown fuse is so tiny but caused a ridiculous big problem.  We contacted the local auto parts store down the street to see if they had the microchip size fuse in stock.  15 minutes and $9.62 dollars later, the fuse is replaced.  Truck lights on and voila!  The horse trailer running lights lite up like a Christmas tree.  Saved by the fuse!  At age 43, I have now experienced “Blowing a #28 fuse.”  The show must go on……