LONG DISTANCE hauling
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64 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
A rescue teaching session.
Post emergency contact phone
numbers in your trailer, or an
obvious place, for in the event
you are incapacitated in an
accident. Include your vet and
equestrian friends.
Continued...
TRAINING & Showing
Long distance trailering can be a lot less stressful
for both horses or people if you learn how
to keep your horse safe, healthy, and if you are
prepared for emergencies along the way.
Many things can potentially go wrong when trailering
horses. The good news is that preparation can prevent
problems. The intention is to take a step-by-step approach
to the most common problems that can occur when out
on the road. Most importantly, you should know what preventive
measures you should take, how you would respond
to certain situations, and what to discuss with your veterinarian.
A horse is at risk every time he enters a trailer. Minor bumps
and bruises can happen just from being loaded. Injuries
may occur from being frightened or from losing balance.
Illness or a trailer accident can create a life-threatening
situation. You can avoid many of these problems by taking
suitable precautions.
Whenever your horse is loaded into a trailer, whether for a
short or long trip, these fundamental measures should be
taken:
• Training- Train your horse to load calmly and accept the
trailer as non-threatening. Forceful training will only teach
him that the trailer is a bad thing and he will never be able
to trust it completely.
• Maintain a safe trailer- Only use the proper hitch, and
make sure your brakes and lights are working and conform
to legal safety standards. Check the trailer floor and frame.
Look for sharp edges and potential hazards inside and out.
• Drive carefully- Accelerate and decelerate slowly so your
horse can keep his balance. Also, if your trailer is not level,
he will always be fighting for balance, and his movement
can interfere with your driving,
• Inoculations- Current inoculations will protect your horse
from exposure to other horses. Have a current health certificate
if you are crossing state lines and a current certificate
of negative EIA (Coggins).
• Wrap his legs- An improperly wrapped bandage can
cause injury or come undone in the trailer. Make sure you
know how to wrap correctly.
• Ventilation- Open the trailer vents and windows. If you
are afraid your horse will get cold, use a blanket that is appropriate
for the temperature. Do not let him get too hot.
• First aid kit- Keep one in your trailer and make sure it is
always ready and up-to-date. A proper first aid kit includes
an adequate water supply. Learn how to bandage
wounds in various locations, control blood loss, and recognize
signs of dehydration/heat exhaustion, and colic. Your
veterinarian is the best source of information.
• Vital signs- Practice taking your horse’s temperature,
pulse, and respiration rate when you are both relaxed at
home, so you know what is normal. If your horse is sick or
hurt, you can give the veterinarian his current vital signs
when you call.
• Backup supplies for long trips- Pack plenty of water (for
drinking and cleaning), ample hay and grain, blankets,
etc. Having an auxiliary light that plugs into the cigarette
lighter and a backup flashlight with working batteries is a
good idea.
• Medical ID- Always carry a durable, visible, medical ID
that lists your doctor, veterinarian, and a contact person. If
you are incapacitated in an accident, it can be important
to contact someone who knows you and your horses.
Generally, a trip of 12 hours or longer requires more aggressive
precautions to avoid “shipping fever” and other
stress-related problems. In a stressed body, nutrients (i.e.,
vitamins, minerals, and water) are used up at a much
higher rate. Therefore, we must preload the horse’s system
if we are to help him at all. For instance, if your horse will
not drink on the trailer, you may have to schedule stops
along the way where you can safely take him off the trailer
for a rest and a drink.
The following are guidelines, not absolutes. Use them as a
starting point for a discussion between you and your veterinarian.
• Electrolytes- Increase two to three days before shipping.
This is most important when traveling in warm regions.
• Vitamins- Add extra for a week prior to shipping.
• Antibiotics- When the trip will be longer than 12 hours, discuss
the administration of antibiotics with your veterinarian.
• Body clip- When taking your horse from a cold climate
to a warm one, a body clip is recommended. Since this is
a source of stress for the horse, clip at least a week before
departure – no sooner.
RISKY BUSINESS
PREPARING FOR LONGER TRIPS
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