5 Tips to Safely Transport Your Horse By Emily Konkel
Transporting horses has become very popular within the past few years. However, long trailer rides can be extremely stressful on a horse. These long rides can lead to diseases, dehydration or fatigue due to energy expenditure and reduced feed intake. During transport, proper steps must be taken to ensure you safely transport your horse.
1. Road transportation time should not exceed 12 hours per day. If the trip is going to take longer than 12 hours, you should plan to stop somewhere along the way to unload your horse and stable them for at least 8 hours. This is necessary for tracheal clearance and rehydration.
2. Throughout your trip, water should be offered to your horse every 3-6 hours. If possible, you should bring water from home so your horse is familiar with it. This will encourage them to drink more.
3. Horses should also be offered hay throughout the journey. This will help keep your horse busy during the ride. It is recommended that hay is soaked in water before offering it to your horse. This will reduce dust in the back of the trailer.
4. Your horse should be given plenty of freedom for head movement. However, this does not mean that your horse should be untied or be tied loose enough to step on their leads. Horses that are restricted to a head up posture for long periods of time can be predisposed to shipping fever.
5. Keep your trailer as clean as possible. Urine soaked bedding can have a very negative effect on the air quality in your trailer. The urine will cause ammonia as it breaks down which can cause respiratory problems for your horse. It is beneficial for your horse to clean the trailer during periodic stops.
Trailing your horse can be stressful, but proper precautions and care throughout can help for a smoother and safer ride. Pay attention to your horse and be safe!
For more information on safely transporting your horse visit:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/32510/tips-for-reducing-transport-stress-in-horses
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