Training, racing, and selling horses provides our team with a lot of experience in travel. Horses were humanity’s primary source of long-distance traveling for a long time, but that changed when Henry Ford introduced the American automobile. Now, we routinely load horses up on trailers and cart them all around the country. So how can you keep equines happy while on the road? Here are a few inside tips.
Plan Your Route and Breaks
If you’re traveling any distance with your horses, the first step is to plan your route. You’ll want to have a solid sense of where you’re going and how to get there. Today’s GPS technology is so advanced that you’ll be able to determine any construction or trouble spots along the way and make plans to avoid problems.
As crucial as planning your route, you’ll want to plan your breaks. You’ll want to provide water for your horse every four hours. Also, think about how far you can go on a single tank of gas while hauling the trailer. And if you’re traveling more than 12 hours, you may need to plan for overnight stays.
Keep Your Trailer in Good Shape
When we transport racehorses, we need to make sure they stay super happy and healthy from point A to point B, and that’s why regular trailer maintenance is a top priority. Every horse deserves racehorse treatment when traveling on the road.
Schedule regular trailer maintenance every six months to ensure the tires and breaks are in good shape. You also want to inspect the floor and frame to protect your horses on the road. Outside of these regular inspections, always do a pre-trip check before you load up your horse and head out.
Practice When It’s Been a While
Our horses are pretty used to traveling, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. If your horse isn’t as familiar with travel, you should practice from time to time. Make sure they are comfortable with loading in and out. Test out protective gear such as leg wraps or halter fleece that you might use while traveling. You want your horse to be as comfortable as possible when getting in and out of the trailer.
Be Aware of Health Risks
Your trip will go smoothly most of the time, and you’ll arrive at your destination with your horse safe and sound. That doesn’t mean there aren’t risks to your horse’s health when traveling. It’s always good to be aware to spot problems as quickly as possible. Any changes in their routine can cause gastric problems or colic.
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