{"id":6755,"date":"2019-04-03T15:21:50","date_gmt":"2019-04-03T15:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homeopet.kloudexpert.com\/?p=6755"},"modified":"2025-02-14T06:54:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T06:54:46","slug":"top-tips-for-safe-travelling-with-your-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homeopet.kloudexpert.com\/ca\/top-tips-for-safe-travelling-with-your-horse\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Tips For Safe Travelling With Your Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you’re lucky enough to be a horse owner, getting out and about with your horse is one of life’s great pleasures. But whether you’re a seasoned competitor, moving your horse to a different area or just like to discover new riding trails, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s likely that you will have to travel your horse at some point. Travelling goes hand in hand with owning horses, and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s important to make it as positive as possible for both you and your horse. Whether you travel your horse in a trailer or a truck, there are things you can do to make the whole experience a much safer and pleasurable one for your horse, so follow these top tips to ensure your journey goes as smoothly as possible.\u00c2\u00a0.<\/p>\n
Take time to load your horse\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u201c loading can be a stressful part of a journey, especially for inexperienced horses, so you should allow plenty of time for this.\u00c2\u00a0 If your horse is young or new to travelling, spending some time practising before you make your journey can be hugely beneficial. Loading your horse a few times in the weeks before you travel will help them to feel much more comfortable and this will make a big difference when it comes to doing it for real.
\nYou must try to remain calm at all times when loading, so be gentle and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shout or raise your voice when talking to or handling your horse to avoid panicking them and raising their stress levels (and yours!).\u00c2\u00a0A loading bay will also help create a more inviting and focused approach, if you have access to one.
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Planning is key when travelling horses, so make sure you have a solid plan in place in case there’s an emergency. Double check the documentation that you may need for travelling your horse<\/a>, particularly if you are crossing state lines. And then, make sure it is on board! You should also allow plenty of time for any delays. Plan ahead and work out\u00c2\u00a0where veterinary practices are along your route, should you have an emergency, and then mark them on a map and ensure you have their contact details. If you’re making a long-distance journey, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s best to plan your stops beforehand. You should try to stop at least once every 3 hours to offer water and if you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have hay nets in your truck for your horse, they will also need to have hay offered frequently. Aim for your breaks to last a minimum of 20 minutes.\u00c2\u00a0Dehydration can cause respiratory problems and increase the risk of colic, so drinking regularly is vital. It’s important that your trailer or truck is roadworthy and safe. The area where your horse stands should be free of any sharp edges and have anti-slip floors and also be well-lit and well ventilated to help avoid respiratory problems. Open vents and windows where possible to boost ventilation and clean out the truck or trailer regularly en route during longer journeys. If you’re travelling to an unfamiliar destination, always plan your journey in advance using a map and stick to the main roads as much as possible. Try not to always rely on a satnav, as it might take you through narrow and winding roads, slowing you down and making the journey uncomfortable for the horse. Keeping your horse\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s management as normal as possible is essential for safe travelling.<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0Using your horse\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s normal hay means there is no sudden change in diet which could lead to digestive problems. Offer water at regular intervals, making sure that you use the water that your horse is used to, to \u00c2\u00a0maximize intake. Put your horse in\u00c2\u00a0travel boots and protective leg wear\u00c2\u00a0before loading, ensuring they are comfortable and confident wearing them. Horses need protection from their own hooves if they start kicking the sides of the vehicle, and you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to put yourself at risk by trying to put boots on once the horse is loaded. Think about your driving \u00e2\u20ac\u201c horses need to maintain balance securely, so\u00c2\u00a0jerky, fast or inconsiderate driving will give them a bad ride. A long, hot and bumpy ride will result in a tried horse. The\u00c2\u00a0quality of driving affects the effort your horse must make to maintain balance,<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0so always try to drive smoothly and at sensible, safe speeds.<\/p>\n Sometimes a little helping hand in reducing stress can go a long way to help make the journey safer and more comfortable for your horse. EquioPathics Travel Anxiety<\/a> promotes relief from fear of travel, loading, trail riding and other stressful situations for your horse. This safe, gentle, drug free and all-natural medicine contains no harsh chemicals, has no known side effects, is easy to dose and is safe for young, pregnant and nursing animals. If you’re lucky enough to be a horse owner, getting out and about with your horse is one of life’s great pleasures. But whether you’re a seasoned competitor, moving your horse to a different area or just like to discover new riding trails, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s likely that you will have to travel your horse at some […]\n","protected":false},"author":327,"featured_media":6756,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[88,81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-animal-welfare","category-natural-pet-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nAdditionally, ensure you have sufficient breakdown cover for your vehicle that can cater for horseboxes and livestock and keep a human and equine first-aid kit in the lorry or trailer at all times.<\/p>\nPlan plenty of stops<\/h2>\n
\nOn longer journeys of more than three hours,\u00c2\u00a0pull over and untie your horse\u00c2\u00a0so that he or she can lower their head. This helps to decrease the risk of pneumonia or\u00c2\u00a0shipping fever.<\/p>\nCheck your vehicle<\/h2>\n
\nCheck your truck or trailer before each journey for roadworthiness and ensure it’s serviced regularly by a qualified mechanic.<\/p>\nPlan your journey<\/h2>\n
\nMake sure you give your horse time to rest and recover before your return journey as well, ideally this should be at least an hour after fast work.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0If your journey is a really long one, consider stabling your horse overnight en-route to break up the journey, or find safe stopping places where you can unload, allow them to stretch their legs and muck out the truck along the way<\/p>\nKeep management as normal as possible<\/h2>\n
\nEnsure that you\u00c2\u00a0always carry extra hay and water\u00c2\u00a0for your horse, plus warm clothes and refreshments for you, just in case!\u00c2\u00a0 When travelling your horse with hay nets in the truck or trailer, make sure these are securely tied up,\u00c2\u00a0so they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t end up on the floor and between their legs.<\/p>\nProtect your horse!<\/h2>\n
\nDon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t overheat your horse\u00c2\u00a0with too many rugs \u00e2\u20ac\u201c even if it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cold outside they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel the cold like we do, and overheating will cause stress, so try to avoid over-clothing. <\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0 Coolers are the best choice for travelling as they will allow some protection, and as they are breathable they shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t result in a hot, distressed horse.<\/p>\nDrive Safely!<\/h2>\n
Manage Stress!<\/h2>\n
\nGot a question for our natural pet care team? You can ask in the comments below, or feel free to email us<\/a>.
\nSafe travelling!
\nLisa Elliott, MSc Equine Science, Bsc Biology<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"