A roadside breakdown on a steep mountain grade tested one Member’s trust in her coverage — and her horse’s nerves.
Article and Photos by Chris Friis
As a volunteer with the San Mateo County (California) Sheriff Mounted Search and Rescue Unit, I spend patrol days on horseback keeping visitors safe at community events and coastal destinations like Half Moon Bay. One summer evening, after a full day of beach patrol with my mare, Casey, a routine drive home over the coastal mountains turned into anything but routine.
A blown transmission, mid-climb
Near the top of the grade, in heavy homeward-bound traffic, I gave the truck extra gas to make the climb — then felt a jolt and lost power completely. I managed to pull into a small turnout that barely fit my whole rig, parked at a steep uphill angle, and put on my flashers. Casey seemed fine, but fluid on the road told me I’d blown my transmission.
Calling USRider
Four years into my USRider membership, this was my first time actually needing the service. The Member Care Specialist’s first question was simply, “Are you and your horse safe?” She gathered my location and let me know help was on the way — though it might take up to 90 minutes given the traffic.
My bigger worry became Casey. It was a long, hot day, I couldn’t safely unload her on that grade, and she’s normally an impatient traveler once stopped. But she stood calmly through the whole ordeal, almost as if she understood something was wrong. A San Mateo County Sheriff’s unit parked nearby for extra reassurance while we waited.
A careful recovery
When the flatbed tow truck arrived, the driver disconnected the trailer with Casey still inside and chocked its wheels before winching the truck onto the flatbed. It was unnerving to watch on such a steep incline, but between the tow truck’s setup and my own safety equipment, the trailer never budged. Once the truck was loaded, the driver hooked the trailer to the tow truck’s rear bumper, plugged in the lights, and we headed home together.
We made it back safely, and Casey got a well-earned bowl of grain in her paddock that night. USRider tows both your truck and your trailer as one call — no juggling separate services — and that’s exactly what got us home.
Adapted from the Summer 2026 issue of USRider’s Equestrian Traveler’s Companion.
