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8 Tips for Traveling with Horses

8 Tips for Traveling with Horses

14th Feb 2020

Taking a road trip with your 1,000lb best friend? Here are some tips for making sure the trip is as seamless and safe as possible.

  1. Vet check - Have your vet look at your horse before your trip. Rules and regulations are different state to state and can change without notice. It is important to discuss your travel plans with your veterinarian to determine what documentation is required for your trip.
  2. Be mindful of the time - Try to keep each day to no more than 10-12 hours total, with stops every 2-3 hours that last around 20 minutes each.
  3. Make sure your horse is well hydrated - This is important in the days leading up to your trip as well as during the trip. They should be offered water every 3-6 hours during the trip.
  4. Clean up - When you stop along the way, it’s a good idea to clean out manure and urine, if possible. That will help reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.
  5. Outfit them with travel boots - If your horse is well seasoned to boots, they can help protect their legs from trauma during travel.
  6. Allow the proper slack in rope - When you tie your in the trailer, they need enough slack to lower their head a bit (to clear their lungs and sinuses), but not so much to get tangled in the rope.
  7. Bring an equine first aid kit - Expect the unexpected. Bring a first aid kit and make sure every human coming along for the trip knows where it is. It is also a good idea to have a list of phone numbers/locations for vets at each overnight stop, as well as your final destination.
  8. Give them time to recover - Even if the trip went as smoothly as possible, you should still give your horse a full day to recover and rehydrate.