Safe Transport For Horses
Planning before transporting your horse is vital for a safe journey. Transportation can be very distressing for horses, especially in warm weather. The health and safety of your horse is of paramount importance.
Outward signs of distress caused by being transported are not evident with all horses. So make sure you keep an eye on the horse's behaviour and heart rate. Horses are intelligent enough to be able to remember well. Don't forget this if your horse becomes uncooperative as you put him in the trailer.
Your horse will be fearful of horseboxes if you use bullying tactics in trying to make him enter. If your horse is new to travelling, you want to get them used to the idea gradually. You need to have a lot of patience, encouragement and consistency.
It's essential to realize that towing a horsebox is not something that anyone can do. A special test for towing a trailer or driving a horsebox is required if your driving licence was obtained after 1997. Unless you have some experience, you should consider professional training.
Learn how to handle the box or trailer when it's empty. Especially tricky is reversing a trailer so you should make sure you are confident in doing this before you decide to try it with a horse inside it.
Good ventilation of the horsebox is vital. It's essential that air circulates as much as is possible. Be prepared for sudden stops and swerves. Always carry first aid equipment for yourself and your horse. Having your vet's number to hand will be very useful should you experience an emergency. It's also a good idea to have your horse insurance documents in an easily accessible place in case your horse should need immediate veterinary treatment following an accident.
Horses that are travelling need to be encouraged to drink. This will prevent dehydration and also reduce the risk of impaction colic. Your horse's health will be assured by frequent stops for water.
Try to avoid travelling when it's very hot; horses don't like it. Your horse needs lots of fresh air, so make sure this is provided. It is also important to muck out whenever possible and try not to travel in the heat of the day. If the climate is hot and humid, your horse will sweat more so make sure you offer water frequently. Avoid any build-up of ammonia in the trailer as this can cause respiratory problems for your horse. The cost of an unexpected visit to your vet can be surprisingly high - especially if your horse insurance provider denies liability on account of your alleged negligence.
Unfamiliar water can upset some horses. Encourage your horse to drink whilst travelling by adding a bit of Gatorade to their water. Then when you are travelling you take some Gatorade with you and put a splash in their water whilst on the road. By doing this you make the water more appealing to the horse.
Don't forget to ensure that all the details required by your equine insurance company have been kept up to date just in case the worst should happen and you were unlucky enough to have a collision. If you plan ahead and make sure you have everything you need for your horse, you can have a pleasant trip instead of something that is dreaded.
