Jan 24 2010
Traveling and Trailering Tips
Many horses travel at least once a year; whether going to a national park for a trail ride, or going to a competition, horses travel. It’s a good idea to train your horse to trailer nicely when you do travel. Horses that don’t travel nicely often hurt themselves when loading and unloading. Make sure before you travel with your horse you have the trip fully planned. I hope this article will help you plan your next trip with you horse.
Clothing:
Before you hit the road make sure your horse will be safe in the trailer. It’s a good idea to boot or wrap your horse’s legs before you lead him/her to the trailer. Boots are a lot easier to put on. Make sure the boot is secure to your horse’s leg. Blankets and sheets are optional depending on the weather. Bring a sheet or cooler just to be safe. Tail bandaging is also a good idea because it helps keep the tail from rubbing. Don’t wrap the tail is any type of girth or strap to hold a blanket saddle or bag in place.
Things to have on hand:
Some things you should bring with you on your trip are stall cleaning utensils, hay and feed, hose or sprayer, and a first aid kit. Make sure you also have a spare tire, jumper cables, flashlights with batteries, and duct tape. It’s always good to have spare tires and a jumper cable just in case something happens to your car. Be sure to have a map or a GPS guiding you on your trip. Make sure you have extra halters and lead ropes with you. Scissors and a pocket knife are good to have for emergencies.
Preparing the Trailer:
A few hours before the trip make sure all your supplies are loaded up. Have the stall your horse will be traveling ready with a foam mat and a small amount of shavings. Horses spread their legs and lock them into the sleeping position. This is why you should have good traction on the ground of the stall so he/she won’t slip. Remember to bring extra shavings too! If your horse doesn’t like to travel alone maybe you should bring his/her best friend. This means preparing two stalls for the journey.
Loading Your Horse:
To load your horse you should always have an extra set of hands to help you. Lead your horse into the trailer and have another person push gently on his/her rump to guide him/her in safely. Remember to be cautious when standing behind the horse just in case he/she kicks out. When leading your horse into the trailer lead him/her straight so he/she won’t hit his/her legs. Remember to clip the lead shank provided in the trailer to your horse’s halter. Tell your helper to place the bar down behind your horse too.
Hitting the Road:
Before your get on the road make sure the trailer is latched to the vehicle securely. Drive up the driveway a little and then stop to make sure the trailer is adjusted. Stop every three hours to refill your horse’s water and hay. You can also walk your horse around to let him/her stretch. Don’t stop on the side of the road for those activities because it could be highly dangerous and the passing vehicles could spook your horse. Don’t take your horse out if you don’t think you can get him/her back in the trailer. Drive carefully! Have a Fun Trip!