Shipping your horse over long distances can be stressful on you both. You want to ensure that the trip is minimally stressful for your horse, and you’ll also want to be sure that he stays safe and healthy. Here are some ways you can help to make sure that your horse’s trailer ride goes smoothly.

Choose a Shipper Carefully

If you opt to use a professional shipper, then choose the shipper carefully. Be sure to consider how comfortable the rig will be for your horse – for long-distance rides, air ride trailers are far more forgiving than traditional trailers are. Check out our blog post on choosing a cross-country shipper.

Invest in Quality Equipment

Shipping boots and a shipping halter are standard equipment to keep your horse safe on long rides. Be sure to invest in quality equipment to help protect your horse. Sheepskin halter tubes can help to prevent rubs and can cushion your horse’s face. A head bumper may also be a wise investment.

Sign Up for a Roadside Assistance Program

Whenever you’re transporting your horse, enrolling in a horse trailer roadside assistance program can give you additional peace of mind. Passenger vehicle roadside assistance programs typically don’t have the resources to service horse trailers, so if you run into a problem with your rig, you could be stuck. If you’re planning a long trip with your horse, consider looking into programs designed for horse trailers, like USRider.

Give Your Horse Plenty of Rest

Trailering is stressful on your horse’s body, so it’s important to make sure that he has plenty of time to rest during his trip. Schedule your trip so that your horse has regular time out of the trailer, and try to limit the time he spends in the trailer to no more than 10 hours per day. Look into horse stables and barns that offer overnight stalling along your route. The chance to lie down in a well-bedded stall will help to keep your horse rested and ready for the next day of travel.

Monitor Your Horse’s Temperature

Horse trailers can heat up quickly when in motion, so even if you’re traveling during the winter, stop frequently to check on your horse. Make sure that your horse is comfortable underneath any blanket that you have put on him, and offer him water on a regular basis.

If you plan ahead of time, you can help make your long trip with your horse safe and comfortable.

Image source: ingimage.com/imagedetails/27022073_extInt0/02A14WR8-Ingimage-Woman-with-a-horse

Original Source: Tips to Make Your Horse's Long Trailer Ride Go Smoothly