How to Transport a Horse

By eHow Pets Editor

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Horses - and handlers - are often injured loading or unloading a trailer. Here's how to do it correctly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

  • Leather Skullcaps
  • Shipping Wraps
  • Horses
  • Horse Brushes
  • Horse Trailers
  • Horseshoes
  • Shipping Boots

Prepare Your Horse for the Trip

Step1
Check that your horse has recently been vaccinated and wormed.
Step2
Have a veterinarian complete a health certificate and Coggins test, allowing 7 to 10 days to obtain results.
Step3
Ask your veterinarian what other tests may be required by your state or country of destination, and allow time for results to come in before your trip.
Step4
Give your horse a complete physical exam before you leave (see "How to Give a Horse a Physical Exam") to check for medical problems.
Step5
Gather shipping documents needed to accompany your horse, including identification, insurance, health certificate and proof of a Coggins test.
Step6
Consult your veterinarian for specific health advice if you plan to travel longer than six hours.
Step7
Provide instructions if someone else is hauling your horse, in case any problems should arise.

Take Precautions in the Trailer

Step1
Bring a first aid kit in the event an emergency arises on the road. (See "How to Put Together an Equine First Aid Kit.")
Step2
Learn how to use shipping wraps or shipping boots.
Step3
Put a leather skullcap on your horse's head; this can prevent serious injury if it rears up and bumps its head while loading or transporting.
Step4
Avoid traveling during the hottest part of the day, and ventilate the trailer adequately.
Step5
Provide water for horses regularly and use extra care with young horses, especially in hot weather.
Step6
Avoid stopping frequently. An immobile trailer may allow heat to build up in the trailer. Unload horses mid-trip in extremely hot conditions, if necessary.
Step7
Check the horse's physical condition after shipping by conducting a thorough physical exam.
Step8
Take any post-shipping fever seriously - it can be life-threatening - and call a veterinarian.

Tips & Warnings

  • Compile a list of professional haulers and friends with trailers. You never know when you might have to move your horse.
  • Practice loading your horse in a trailer with someone who's experienced. This can be useful even if you have no immediate travel plans, as it can prepare both you and your horse for loading in case of an emergency.
  • Avoid transporting a sick horse unless it's to the veterinarian.
  • If possible, avoid administering tranquilizers to your horse. Tranquilizers make horses unsteady. If you must, avoid feeding tranquilized horses in trailers.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Allowing the horse to put its head out the window is extremely dangerous while in motion. The smallest bug or rock could cause serious injury, even blindness. There are screens on the market now that let the air in but keep debris out and your horse safe.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If you feed hay to your horse in a moving trailer, be sure to have a fly mask on your horse. The hay chafe can fly into the horse's eyes and cause problems. It is much safer to feed the horse pellets if possible. If you use the pellets the horse will need to drink more water, to avoid compaction.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If you are hauling horses in a livestock trailer, put fly masks on the horses to keep debris off the road from injuring eyes or ears.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Always tie your horse when hauling it anywhere. No matter if it's only down the road a little ways or on a long trip. Not tying your horse while hauling is very dangerous and could result in your horse being seriously injured if you have to stop fast.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 It is very beneficial to use a large trailer where your horse does not have to be tied when going on long trips. When your horse is loose, it can find its own position to stand in.

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eHow Article:  How to Transport a Horse

eHow Pets Editor

eHow Pets Editor

Category: Pets

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