An extensive guide to horse trips with trailer

At some point in a horse's life, they are likely to need to be transported on a horse carriage. It is important to prepare your horse for a successful long distance journey and learn how to make the trip more comfortable while ensuring their health and safety.

Prepare your horse for travel

Horse trips are part of horse ownership, with many horse owners who often make local trips for lessons, track riding, trips to the veterinarian and horse shows.

Many horses are used to short trips; But long -distance horse trips require preparation.

There is much to cover before you go on a long journey, including horse health documents you need, long -term tips and how to monitor your horse's health during the trip.

Veterinary control

Before uploading, you must confirm the necessary health documents and connect to your veterinarian about problems to make sure you are prepared:

• Verify your gear. The requirements vary depending on the state and plant. Coggins are usually valid for two years for travel in the state. Interstate travels, some states and plant owners require an annual test.

Conditioning and acclimatization for horse trips

Trading is stressful for all horses, even calm and experienced travelers. Horses must constantly balance during movement, which raises cortisol, the stress hormone.

Help your horse to have a successful trip with:

• Takes short, local traits for practice and trust

• Exercise for loading and unloading

• Make sure your horse is in good health and can exercise before the trip

Horse hydration and nutrition

Water and nutrition are crucial to maintaining a horse's health on the road.

• Offer plenty of water before and during the trip. Some horses do not drink unknown water, so bring jugs from home or taste unknown water with electrolytes, such as the finish line Apple-A-Day.

• Keep the salt intake stable. Free choice of salt or an electrolyt supplement before the trip, such as Farnam electrolyte paste, can encourage drinking.

Protective equipment

There are mixed opinions about using protective equipment, which type and when. Ask your veterinarian for advice based on your horse and travel length.

Plain user equipment includes:

Make sure to check all the gears for fit and that your horse is comfortable to carry it before you upload.

Load and loosen your horse

Trading is not a natural part of a horse's life. Helping them prepare for a smooth journey includes practicing loading and unloading in advance.

If your horse is inexperienced, use these tips to train your horse to charge in a trailer:

1. Practice in situations with low stress that enable time and patience.

2. Go quietly your horse near the trailer.

3. Let them examine by sniffing the ramp or floor of a step-up.

4. Encourage them to take a step on the ramp or into a step-up trailer.

5. Reward their effort with praise and a treatment. Repeat until completely charged.

6. When you are inside, leave them quiet and then close the doors.

To loosen a horse from a trailer:

1. Release or release your horse from the trailer.

2. Open back doors and/or lower the ramp.

3. Certainly ask your horse to back out of a straight load or calmly turn in a box.

4. Be patient and don't hurry.

Repeat loading and unloading at home and on local trips to build your horse's trust.

Monitor your horse's health on the road

Local features for two to three hours usually do not require breaks. Experts recommend that you stop every three to four hours for your horse to rest and for you to control their health.

Vital signs to look at

Planning stops to coincide with fuel-ups can maximize your travel time. During these breaks, check your horse's vital characters, including:

Signs of travel stress or illness

Long -distance journeys can be difficult against horses and can emphasize their bodies and immune systems.

When you stop for breaks, also check your horses for signs of stress or illness. The symptoms may include:

Nothing replaces a close look at your horse; Installing cameras in the trailer, such as the Instabhew PurrSight 360-degree Wi-Fi Security Camera, can, however, provide peace of mind.

Handling of horse trips

If your horse sweats excessively or shows signs of colic, illness or extreme stress, contact a veterinarian.

Investing in a road aid plan, such as Urider, can make an emergency more manageable. All USRider plans include emergency references for veterinarians, dangers and Layover plants.

Care after travel for horses

Getting to a racing or multi-day track trip is a hectic time. Stås must be set with shavings, water and hay. Thanks and equipment must be unloaded and trailers must be parked elsewhere on the ground.

Assessing your horse's general health should also be a priority.

1. Immediate control

As soon as you arrive at your destination:

• Check your horse for cuts, damage or swelling and apply wound care if needed.

• Go your horse and look for stiffness.

• Offer water and small amounts of feed.

2. Rest and recovery

Think about how you feel after a long drive; Chances are that you feel hard and exhausted. Horses experience similar fatigue. If possible, arrive at least one day early and give eight to 12 hours of rest before work.

Also monitor your horse's health for 24-48 hours and watch:

• Cough

• Fever

• Water consumption

• Feeding/hay consumption

• Fertilizer production

3. Re -resume routine gradually

When you are home or moved into a new barn, give your horse time to adjust.

• Return slowly to regular exercise.

• Make any diet change for several days.

• Offer voter turnout based on normal living routines. If a horse has never been on turnout or if it has been limited for long periods, you reintroduced voter turnout.