Introduction
As a horse owner, travelling with your horse can be a smooth and stress-free experience if the journey is properly planned and executed with care. In this blog, we examine how preparation for travelling with your horse will pay dividends and explore the guidelines that will help make the experience a whole lot smoother.
In our previous blog, ‘Preparing your Horse for Travelling’, we discussed the benefits of preparing your horse for travel, health requirements, and the essential steps to ensure its safety, comfort, and well-being.
Horse travel tips
There are many horse travel tips on how best to transport your horse, particularly if planning a long trip. Depending on the length of your journey, planned rest stops are a must. Allowing your horse to relax, stretch, and drink will help reduce travel fatigue. In addition, monitoring your horse’s comfort, checking their temperature, and watching for signs of stress are key ways to ensure their well-being during transport.
Firstly, selecting a safe, reliable horsebox or trailer that provides adequate space and ventilation with non-slip flooring is paramount for your horse’s safety. If you don’t have a horsebox or trailer of your own, then hiring a company that specialises in horse transport is a good option.
Horse trailer law
Ensuring the well-being of horses during transportation is key, not only from an ethical point of view but often a legal one too. Horse trailer law may differ from the destination country with legal specifications that must be met.
In the UK, there are specific legal requirements and considerations for horse trailers and the transportation of horses. If at all unsure, it’s best to familiarise yourself with the new laws which came into effect in 2021, including the correct driving licence category. These cover trailer towing weights and driver licence requirements along with tips for travelling with your horse including:
- Driving license: Verify that the driver’s license for driving a horse trailer complies with the required class and ensure all other correct documents are in place.
- Journey hours: rules for horse transport may differ depending on the length of the journey. There are specific guidelines for travelling over 8 hours and having breaks at specific times is a legal requirement.
- Vehicle and trailer maintenance: regular safety checks and maintenance are crucial. Your vehicle and horse trailer must have a valid MOT and basic checks on brakes, lights, and other safety equipment.
- Animal welfare considerations: follow animal welfare rules to ensure the horses’ comfort and safety, take breaks regularly, provide adequate ventilation and protection from the elements, and ensure secure footing for the horses.
- Safety equipment: your horse trailer must be equipped with appropriate lighting, brakes, and safety chains as required.
By adhering to these legal specifications and care requirements, horse owners can ensure safe and lawful transportation of their animals, especially during long journeys.
Plan your travel route and stops while transporting horses
When planning a travel route and stops for transporting horses, it’s important to consider the following key points:
- Choose the smoothest route possible to maximise comfort for the horse, even though it may not be the shortest
- Try to avoid high-traffic areas or plan to travel during off-peak hours
- Plan breaks every 4-6 hours, with longer stops every 8 hours for longer journeys
Weather conditions and the time of day should also be factored into the journey. During summer months, travel during cooler parts of the day—early morning or evening—to keep the horse comfortable. Always prepare for adverse weather, especially in the winter months, by checking the forecast and considering alternative routes to plan a pleasant journey.
Scheduling stops
Research potential stopping points along your route. If you need an overnight stop, booking ahead with stables that can accommodate your horse’s particular needs is essential. As a rule the following applies regarding breaks:
Short Breaks (4-6 hours)
- Allow horses to rest and rehydrate
- Check on the horses’ condition
- Offer water and hay if appropriate
Longer Stops (8+ hours)
- Unload horses if possible
- Provide a more substantial rest period
- Allow for eating, drinking, and stretching
Overnight Accommodation
For multi-day trips:
- Research and book stables in advance
- Prefer locations with turnout areas for horses to stretch and relax
- Aim for no more than 8 hours of travel between overnight stops
Additional Considerations
- Factor in weather conditions and plan travel times accordingly (e.g., early morning or evening in hot weather)
- Ensure you have proper documentation if applicable
- Plan fuel stops and driver rest periods in conjunction with horse rest stops
- Have a contingency plan for unexpected delays or emergencies
By carefully planning your route and stops, you can help ensure a safe and comfortable journey when travelling with your horse. Remember to be flexible and prioritise the horses’ well-being throughout the trip.
Follow Gabe’s journey from Louisiana to Lexington, Kentucky, and see how owner Erin planned ahead for his Standing Equine MRI scan at Park Equine Hospital.
Ensuring the horse is properly secured in the trailer
Securing your horse correctly inside the trailer is fundamental for their safety when travelling:
- Use of appropriate restraints: The horse should be tied using a quick-release knot or a lead rope with a quick-release clip to allow for easy detachment in an emergency. The tie should be short enough to prevent the horse from getting tangled but long enough to allow some movement for balance.
- Partitions and dividers: Ensure that partitions or dividers are properly in place and adjusted to the horse’s size to prevent excessive shifting or falling during transit. The horse should have just enough space to stand comfortably but not enough to get thrown around during sharp turns or sudden stops.
- Padding and protection: Consider using protective leg wraps or shipping boots to safeguard the horse’s legs from bumps or kicks against the trailer walls. A head bumper may also be useful for horses that are prone to lifting their heads suddenly.
Prioritising safety and security during horse travel requires a combination of careful driving, diligent trailer maintenance, and ensuring the horse is properly secured. Having an equine first aid kit and emergency contacts ready provides additional peace of mind in case of unforeseen issues. Safe, prepared travel helps ensure a smooth, stress-free journey for both horse and handler.
Once your horse is successfully loaded into a horsebox or trailer
Being patient and allowing your horse time to acclimatise when loading into a horsebox is crucial for their safety, comfort, and overall well-being. Once you’ve successfully loaded your horse, allow them time to settle at their own pace.
Ensure the horsebox or trailer is safe and comfortable. Check that flooring is secure and non-slip, ventilation is adequate, any partitions are properly adjusted,and that any padding and safety measures are in place. A comfortable, safe horsebox will make future loading easier because the horse associates it with positive experiences. By creating positive loading experiences, your horse will become more confident over time. This makes future trips much easier and reduces the likelihood of loading refusals or stress-related issues during travel.
Prioritise safety and security during horse travel
Horse trailers can be extremely dangerous if not towed properly. Just because your licence enables you to tow a trailer behind your truck, doesn’t mean you should do so without first prioritising safety and security for you and the horse. Here’s how you can best do that:
Defensive driving and adherence to traffic rules
- Defensive driving: When towing a horse trailer, adopt a defensive driving approach. This means anticipating potential hazards, maintaining a respectful distance from other vehicles, and avoiding sudden braking or sharp turns that could jostle the horse inside the trailer. Horses can lose balance easily during abrupt movements, increasing their risk of injury.
- Adhering to speed limits: Always obey speed limits, particularly those set for vehicles towing trailers. High speeds can make controlling the vehicle and trailer difficult, and braking distances are longer when towing.
- Smooth manoeuvring: Gradual acceleration, careful lane changes, and slow turns minimise the horse’s movement inside the trailer. Avoid rough or uneven roads when possible, as excessive vibrations can cause discomfort or stress to the horse.
Inspecting the trailer’s safety features
Before any trip, a thorough inspection of the trailer’s safety features is critical:
- Brakes: Ensure the trailer’s braking system is functioning properly. A trailer brake controller, if equipped, should be tested to verify that the brakes respond in sync with the towing vehicle. Properly working brakes are essential for safe stopping, especially in emergencies.
- Tyres: Check that the trailer tyres are in good condition and properly inflated. Inspect for wear and tear, cracks, or bulges that could lead to a blowout during travel. Don’t forget to check the spare tyre as well.
- Hitch and chains: Make sure the trailer is securely hitched to the towing vehicle and that safety chains are attached properly. The hitch must be locked in place, and the chains should be crossed to prevent the trailer from detaching in case of a hitch failure.
- Lights and indicators: Ensure all lights, including brake lights, indicators, and reflectors, are working properly. This improves visibility to other drivers, especially in low-light conditions or bad weather.
- Trailer flooring and ventilation: Inspect the trailer floor for any signs of weakness or damage that could cause injury to the horse. Proper ventilation is crucial to ensure the horse does not overheat, so check the vents and windows for adequate airflow.
Well-stocked equine first aid kit and emergency contacts
- Equine first aid kit: When travelling with your horse, a well-stocked equine first aid kit is vital in case of an emergency. The kit should include bandages, antiseptics, wound dressings, pain relievers, scissors, and any specific medications your horse might need. It’s also important to include items for human first aid, in case the handler or driver gets injured.
- Emergency contact numbers: Always have important contact numbers readily available, including your vet, farrier, roadside assistance, and local animal emergency services. These contacts can be lifesaving in case of an accident or medical emergency during travel.
Maintain your horse’s nutrition and hydration while travelling
Maintaining your horse’s nutrition and hydration during travel is essential to keeping them healthy and comfortable, reducing stress, and preventing issues like colic or dehydration. Here’s how to manage your horse’s nutrition and hydration while travelling:
Ensure access to forage throughout the journey
- Forage supply: Horses need a consistent supply of forage, such as hay, to maintain their digestive health and reduce stress. Eating forage during travel helps horses produce saliva, which aids digestion and prevents the buildup of stomach acid that can lead to ulcers.
- Hay bag or net: Using a hay bag or hay net is an effective way to provide forage during the trip. For fast eaters, consider using a slow feeder hay net, which helps regulate the horse’s eating pace. This prevents the risk of choking, encourages longer eating times, and keeps the horse occupied throughout the journey.
Stick to the horse’s regular feeding schedule
- Maintain routine: Horses thrive on routine, so it’s important to keep feeding times as close to their regular schedule as possible. This helps reduce anxiety and keeps their digestive system functioning optimally
- Exceptions for medical reasons: If the horse is travelling for a medical procedure that requires fasting (e.g., surgery), consult with your veterinarian about withholding food. In these cases, ensure that the horse’s hydration needs are still being met until the point of travel.
- Avoid large grain meals: While hay is important, avoid feeding large grain meals during travel. Grain can be harder to digest and could increase the risk of colic if the horse is stressed or less active.
Ensure access to fresh water
- Hydration is crucial: Horses can become dehydrated quickly, especially during long journeys or in hot weather. Dehydration can lead to serious health issues like colic or heat stress, so ensure your horse has regular access to plenty of water throughout.
- Familiar water: Horses are often hesitant to drink water that tastes different from what they are used to. Having access to water from home can help encourage them to drink.
- Flavoured water: If you’re unable to bring water from home, consider flavouring the water with something the horse is familiar with, such as apple juice or peppermint. Introducing the flavour before the journey can help the horse get used to it, making it more likely they’ll drink unfamiliar water.
- Flavoured water: If you’re unable to bring water from home, consider flavouring the water with something the horse is familiar with, such as apple juice or peppermint. Introducing the flavour before the journey can help the horse get used to it, making it more likely they’ll drink unfamiliar water.
Encouraging water intake during the journey
- Frequent stops for water: During long trips, plan regular stops to offer water to your horse, ideally every 2-3 hours. Some horses may not drink much while the trailer is in motion due to stress, so stopping can help them relax and encourage drinking.
- Moistened forage: Another strategy is to moisten the hay or offer soaked hay cubes to help increase water intake, particularly if the horse tends to drink less while travelling.
Monitor for signs of dehydration
Signs of dehydration: Keep an eye on your horse for signs of dehydration, such as dry gums, sunken eyes, or prolonged skin pinch test results (where the skin doesn’t return to normal quickly after being pinched). Addressing dehydration early can prevent more serious health issues.
To maintain your horse’s nutrition and hydration during travel, ensure they have access to forage, stick to their regular feeding schedule, and make water available at frequent intervals. Using a slow feeder hay bag can help fast eaters eat safely, and bringing familiar or flavoured water can encourage hydration. These strategies will help ensure a smooth and healthy journey for your horse.
Summary
In conclusion, travelling with your horse can be smooth and stress-free if the journey is planned in plenty of time and executed with care.
A safe and reliable horsebox or trailer that is roadworthy and comfortable to transport your horse is an essential. For horses that are nervous when loading, practising a calm and stress-free loading procedure ahead of time will reap rewards on the day. Once in the horsebox or trailer, let your horse acclimatise before moving off.
It is essential that all legal vehicle and driver requirements are met before the journey is to be undertaken. Knowing all this is covered ahead of the trip leaves you free to concentrate on your horse’s wellbeing. Map out the route ahead of the day taking into account weight of traffic and road conditions. The shortest route may not be the best for you or your horse.
Ensure that your horse is comfortable and properly secured with the use of padded partitions and tied with a quick release knot using a suitable rope attached to a leather headcollar. Good nutrition and hydration for your horse while travelling is essential to its wellbeing. Once on the road be horse aware at all times, practise defensive driving and remain within the safety limits with appropriate consideration for the horse, the road ahead and other drivers.
Happy travels!
Hallmarq is a leading provider of cutting-edge advanced imaging technology including equine-specific solutions, Standing Equine MRI and Vision CT. With over two decades of experience, and a continued focus on innovation, we’re dedicated to improving horse well-being with products and services that help veterinarians deliver more accurate diagnoses and effective treatments for equine lameness.
