Top 3 Tips for Traveling with your Horse

June 22, 2022

Ready to hit the road and make new memories with your equine partners? Whether you’re competing, out for a joy ride, or off to work, getting to this moment takes preparation.

We want to provide you with a few tips to be prepared as you load up and latch the trailer door to depart.

Plan Ahead

Our number one piece of advice for traveling with your horse is to plan ahead.

We know that when it comes to horses, they require a lot of baggage. When it comes to loading feed, tack, emergency supplies, and more it’s better to start early to prevent leaving important gear behind.

A commonly overlooked aspect of planning for equine travel is knowing where you are going and what is required for veterinary documentation. Be prepared with your Coggins (CVI) test and a health inspection if your destination requires it.

Tip 1: Get Your Trailer Ready

• Practice loading and unloading your horse days before the event so they are familiar with the environment you are asking them to ride in.
• Inspect your trailer prior to travel.
  • Check your tires’ air pressure and tread
  • Check inside for a safe riding space, no sharp edges
  • Spread some Horse Fresh in a clean trailer to help absorb moisture and odor
• Pack your trailer with the gear you will need throughout the week.
  • Set aside your favorite brushes, tack, and additional gear to make sure it easily accessible

Tip 2: Determine Your Forage Needs Before You Leave

• Be consistent with what you feed your horse – feed your horse the same as you do at home.
• Make sure to bring enough forage to feed your horse for the duration of your trip.
  • If you need to purchase forage while traveling use our Store Locator to find stores near your location
• The night prior to travel, make sure your horse has free-access to hay and water. This will prepare the horse for travel by ensuring they are properly fed and hydrated before they get on the trailer.

Tip 3: Determine Your Water Needs Before You Leave

• Avoid traveling during the hottest part of the day; 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
  • Carry a supply of water in case of emergencies
• Plan to stop every three to four hours so you can offer water and forage.
  • In normal environments, horses will drink a minimum of 5 – 15 gallons of water per day

For more information about your horse’s digestive system and how to properly support it on the road, listen to episode 34 of our Beyond the Barn podcast with Dr. Cubitt and Katy Starr.

Traveling with horses is exciting and can lead to unique memories that will last you a lifetime, and we hope these tips help make them good ones! If you have questions, please contact the nutritionists at Standlee, or consult with your veterinarian.