Transportation Tricks

Safe Travels!

Trailering your horse is a big deal no matter if it is to a show that’s close by or half way across the country. It should be your number one priority, when traveling, that your horse is safe and comfortable. To start out, if you only have one horse they may get a little more skid-dish because horses are herd animals and rely on each other for relief or protection. So it could be in your best interest to ride along with another friend or vise versa. If your horse won’t load the horse may need a friend to encourage them. By getting another horse to go first, that is very easy to load, your other horse may get the hint that he’s not alone and he’s making this way harder on himself than it needs to be. Then after you can unload the friend horse and you can be on your way. My last suggestion is that all animals, no matter if it’s a dog, cat, bunny, horse, you name it, they are all food motivated creatures. By bringing treats with you or maybe a bucket of grain can be the simple trick to getting your horse into the trailer. It’s their favorite reward. 

I’ve also teamed up with horseandrider.com to tell you a few more trailering tips. I will share with you two of their do’s and two don’ts that they recommend to equine enthusiasts. 

Their first do is to go over your trailer and rig. By going through an extensive checklist can prevent breakdowns or injuries to you or your horse. Some of these things can include, “examining the hitch, tires, lights, breaks, and especially the floor of the trailer” (horseandrider.com). The second do involves both of you in the trailer. “Do close your trailer’s doors before tying your horse in the trailer. Always untie him before opening the doors to unload.” This can reduce or eliminate your horse’s risk of panic and injuring you or himself. 

Onto the don’ts. “Don’t leave escape doors, manger-access doors, or grates/screens over drop-down doors or windows open any time your horse is in the trailer.” No matter how big your horse may be they are flight animals and will try to get through that window if they feel that they’re in danger. Lastly, “Don’t leave your horse tied” in “the trailer with his tack on.” By doing this any piece of the equipment is an automatic safety hazard because it can get caught on edges or hooks of the trailer and lead to injuries or broken tack. 

If you would like to learn more about safely traveling with your horse please checkout the link below about any renovations or regular trailer tips you may need to know.

https://horseandrider.com/training/trailer-safety-dos-donts-31676