How to Travel With a Horse

“Have horse, will travel” used to simply mean saddling up and hitting the trail. Nowadays, traveling with a horse isn’t quite so simple. There is some planning and preparation involved. So before you giddyup—here are some tips for making the trip safe and pleasant for both you and your horse.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Have current health papers for your horse. Just about all horse hotels and some state border livestock inspection stations require current health papers for horses and proof of a negative Coggins test within the last 30 days. This test checks for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) antibodies in a horse’s blood.
2. Check the horse trailer to make sure it’s functioning properly—for instance, tire pressure, brakes and exterior lights. Do any necessary maintenance and repairs. It’s also a good idea to practice loading and unloading your horse in the trailer if he’s never made a trip before.
3. Plan ahead. Research horse-friendly lodging and accommodations and make sure you make reservations (see Resources below).
4. Map out the trip and places to stop along the way. Horses need about a 30-minute break every 2 to 3 hours. They don’t have to be taken out of the trailer each time; just standing still is good enough rest.
5. Bring the necessary supplies such as a horse restraint, first-aid kit, water for your horse to drink and a manure fork to clean up after your horse. It is a good idea to bring along enough of your horse’s familiar hay to last throughout the trip.
6. Add beet pulp and/or wheat bran to your horse’s feed to prevent colic while traveling. Start mixing it in at least a week before the trip and increase the amount to about a 50-50 mixture by the time you set out. Continue feeding the mixture throughout the trip and for the first week after you get home, decreasing the amount over the course of the week until you’re back to a normal feeding. Other options are to have your veterinarian give a gallon of mineral oil plus water and electrolytes 4 to 12 hours before the trip, or you can add mineral oil to bran mash.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use the pet areas at rest stops; just be sure to clean up after your horse.
• Only tie your horse to a tree for a short period of time. The tree should be at least 8 inches in diameter.
• If your horse won’t drink, try adding apple juice or gatorade to the water. Soaking the hay with water one day prior and during the trip will provide additional water. You may want to try getting your horse used to soaked hay a couple of weeks to a month before the trip.
• Carrots are a good laxative for horses. You can feed up to 5 lbs.
• Never tie your horse’s head on a short rein that keeps her head high. Allow her enough movement so that she can lower her head to clear her airways by coughing and snorting.
• Avoid traveling more than 8 to 10 hours a day with a horse and remember to adjust your speed!