Travelling with your horse is way different than doing regular maintenance and making sure of a good diet. If you are thinking about loading your horse and calling it a day, you will be making a grave mistake that you simply cannot afford.
From doing deep research on the transporting partner to making sure your equine friend is travelling with convenience, there is a lot to consider before you plan that trip.
For someone who will be doing it for the first time, it is extra difficult for them. Why? Well, there are a lot of options available on the internet. Knowing which to choose is no trick of a hat.
That being said, here are some of the things you need to know before you make your horse transportation for the first time.
Ensure that your horse is healthy
Safety always comes first. And it is true for your equine friend as well. Before a long trip, does any veterinarian have access to the health of the horse to make sure that he is up for the journey and to offer all the paperwork needed to travel across the state lines? As per the reputed councils, you may need proof that the horse has had the ideal testing and vaccinations and meets the health requirements for the state into which you are travelling. At the least, all the states need a current negative Coggins test certificate.
Inspect the car
No one wishes to be stuck on the side of the road. However, it is particularly significant since you are hauling horses. Specifically, in the months of summer, standing idle still causes heat to build up on the trailer. Make sure to carry out routine maintenance, and if you notice any problem, make sure to check it, as prevention is the best measure you can take.
No industry bedding
Irrespective of how skilled the driver might be, balancing on a moving trailer for hours is never easy on a horse. Bedding the trailer may assist in reducing leg stress. However, by all means, you need to avoid dusty bedding as it may cause respiratory issues and even irritate the eyes of your equine friend, particularly when it is used in an open stock trailer. Consider the utilization of a fly mask if dust might be an issue.
Irrespective of how well you are preparing, you may never foresee every situation. It is always beneficial to carry a horse first aid kit in times of an emergency. Make sure to store it in an easily accessible spot and alert the driver to its location.
Wrapping Up
A properly planned route is a must, and the transportation partner who is responsible for your horse should have you informed of what route they will be taking. Before choosing a travelling partner for your house, make sure to look for an option where communication and transparency are key. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your equine friend is safe and sound. Alternatively, you can always do it yourself since there are many horse boxes for sale.