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Step 1
Plan your journey , do not travel more than 450 miles per day. Estimate the temperature for the journey. Use a resource like the overnight stable directory to help plan your trip. Prepare to stop every 4 hours and if possible walk the horses and offer water. Pet exercise areas are useful. Ensure the horse is fit to travel. You can be stopped and inspected travelling through state lines. Up to date vaccination certificates health certificates - check requirements for each state travelling through. ( Your vet should have this information) At least a week prior to travelling- encourage horse/s to take electrolyte additives and horses are more likely to reduce their fluid intake whilst travelling.
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Step 2
Carry some of your own water with you as horses become a custom to their own water and refuse a new taste. Carry as much of your own hay as possible to carry on the normal routine as too many changes can lead to gastric disturbances such as colic . If a grain feed is normally fed carry sufficient quantities of the feed.
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Step 3
Shipping boots are ideal if the temperature is cool enough, a horse reacts 5 seconds later than the driver , so the boots will protect legs if the horse stumbles or goes down. Stop immediately if the latter happens.
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Step 4
Carry a full equine first aid kit , calming remedies and pro-biotics
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Step 5
Check that you have adequate insurance, that your truck , trailer and horses are covered for every eventuality. Horses are expensive and they can cause a lot of expensive damage. Truck and trailer needs to be good condition, tires and brakes , lights, windows and doors all need to be in good working order
