How To Transport A Horse

Introduction

You’ve decided to transport your horse, but you may be wondering how to safely do so. While trailering horses can be challenging, it’s important for safety reasons and also for the comfort of the animal. There are a variety of factors that go into transporting a horse, including whether he has been trained properly, what type of vehicle and trailer are used for hauling him around town or across state lines–and much more!–so read on! We’ll cover everything from how much weight your truck can tow (and why this matters) all the way up through training tips that will keep both horse and rider safe during transport.

1. Check that your vehicle can tow the weight of the trailer you choose.

Before you begin the process of hauling your horse, you should check that your vehicle can tow the weight of the trailer you choose. The first step is to determine what kind of trailer will work best for you and your horse.

Is it going to be a stock or custom?
Do I already have a particular brand in mind? Or am I open to other options?
What size do I need—full-size, half or three-quarter, large pony or small pony (or even miniature)? How much room do we need inside? Will there be any additional passengers in my vehicle who will also need space for their belongings?

2. Be realistic with yourself about how often you’ll be transporting your horse, and what kind of distances you’ll be traveling.

Be realistic with yourself about how often you’ll be transporting your horse, and what kind of distances you’ll be traveling. If you’re going to transport your horse often, then investing in a trailer that is more comfortable for your horse may be worth it. For example, if you’re driving from Virginia to Florida every weekend during the winter months to visit family, it may make sense for you to purchase a top-of-the-line stock trailer with rubber mats and an air conditioned tack compartment so that both man and beast can relax while making the trip together.

If on the other hand, transporting your horse infrequently or only at short distances makes more sense–such as taking a trail ride once or twice each month–a simple stock trailer would suffice because it won’t need much maintenance or upkeep over time (though we still recommend keeping everything clean).

3. Choose the right size trailer for your transport needs.

The size of the trailer is important to the safety of both you and your horse. It should be big enough for your horse to stand comfortably, turn around and lie down in case they are injured or upset. A good rule of thumb is that if you can’t walk through it without having to duck, it’s too small for your purposes.

The width between the walls of the trailer should be at least four feet wide so that you can get close enough to rub down your dog if needed when traveling with dogs in a smaller trailer like this one here on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2vXdth5

4. Check the weather forecast before a long trip and consider if it’s safe to travel.

Check the weather forecast before a long trip and consider if it’s safe to travel.

If you’re traveling with your horse for any distance, the weather can be a major factor in whether or not you make it there safely. Be sure to check the forecast and make sure that it’s going to be safe for your horse to travel in bad weather conditions such as rain, snow storms or extreme cold temperatures. If travel is not recommended due to bad weather, wait until conditions improve before attempting the journey again. If you must travel in bad weather, have an alternate plan which includes stopping at regular intervals throughout your journey so that everyone involved can rest and eat while also keeping an eye on their own personal comfort levels (as well as those of their co-travelers).

5. Make sure your horse is healthy and up-to-date on vaccines before travel.

The following are important to ensure that your horse is healthy and ready for travel:

Make sure your horse is up-to-date on vaccines. Not only is it important to protect your horse from disease while traveling, but if your vet finds an issue with their health during the trip, they’ll want the records of the last vaccine so they can ensure that treatment is paired with vaccination.
This step is more important than it looks: make sure you have a recent fecal exam. This test helps determine if there are any internal parasites or other issues going on inside their body which could cause illness or death if left untreated.
Make sure you have a recent dental exam as well; these help identify tooth and gum issues that may be affecting their quality of life and/or ability to eat properly (which can lead back into digestive problems).

6. If this is your first time hauling a horse, it’s best to practice around the farm to make sure all goes well before taking a long journey.

To avoid any mishaps, it’s best to practice hauling your horse around the farm before taking a long journey. If this is your first time hauling a horse, it’s important that you do not practice with an unknown horse or one that has never been trained for riding in a trailer. If possible, it would also be helpful if you can get someone to go along with you on the first few trips so that they can help keep an eye out for any potential problems as well as assist if anything goes wrong. A good practice area should be quiet with minimal traffic and no turns or hills unless necessary for length of trip.

7. Your horse should be properly trained and used to riding in a trailer before being transported long distances or in stressful situations like an auction or veterinary appointment.

You should also ensure that your horse is trained and used to riding in a trailer. This will reduce the amount of stress he feels when traveling, as well as provide you with an extra measure of safety during the trip. It’s also important that you make sure your horse has a halter that fits him properly—a poorly fitting halter can cause chafing on their nose or around their eyes, so take some time to get the right fit before leaving home.

Finally, make sure that your horse is well-rested and fed before taking long trips or making last-minute trips to veterinary appointments or auctions. A tired or hungry animal may be more likely to act out while being loaded onto the trailer, which could put everyone involved at risk of injury.

8. Make sure your horse is properly fitted for his halter so that he can’t slip out or hurt himself during transport–this is especially important for horses with headshy or headstrong personalities or those that have had a traumatic experience while trailering previously.

Make sure your horse is properly fitted for his halter so that he can’t slip out or hurt himself during transport–this is especially important for horses with headshy or headstrong personalities or those that have had a traumatic experience while trailering previously.
A good fit means the halter should be snug against the skin, but not too tight. The leather should be smooth and not pinched in any areas along the nose and cheeks. The noseband should be loose enough to allow room between it and the muzzle to prevent rubbing or chafing from pressure points from being pinched by this piece of equipment (which can cause open sores). If you are unsure if your horse’s halter fits properly, ask someone who knows about them (like a professional trainer) what they think would make it fit better.*

Trailering horses can be challenging, but following these 8 tips will help make transporting horses safer!

Trailers can be expensive, but they are worth the investment. A trailer is not all created equal and many people buy trailers that are too small for their horses or don’t have enough ventilation for them to breathe properly.

Trailers can also be dangerous if they aren’t properly sized or maintained. Without proper ventilation, horses can overheat in a trailer and die from heat exhaustion in just minutes! Make sure your horse has enough room to stand up straight and move around comfortably before you take him on any long trips.

Trailers are a good investment because they are much cheaper than having to replace your horse if something happens while traveling with him in one.

Conclusion

We recommend that you do some practice runs with your horse before attempting an extended journey. This will help them get used to the new experience and make it easier for you as well. With some careful planning, both of you can enjoy the trip!