6 How to Tips
Table of Contents
Preparation is key, and it starts with a solid plan and a checklist to ensure nothing gets left behind when traveling with your horse.
Traveling with your horse – The Trailer
As show season gets underway, and you’re getting ready to start traveling with your horse, ensure that your horse trailer is stocked with the necessary items for a successful and stress-free journey.
When selecting the perfect trailer, it’s important to consider the space, the height and width of the trailer, are you going to have a goose-neck or bumper hitch, both have advantages and disadvantages.
Goose-neck
or a bumper pull
Look for features such as ample ventilation.
Are you going to have a stock type trailer or one with drop down windows?
Check that you have roof vents to allow fresh air in while traveling along the highway, this really helps to keep the heat down for the horses. They are large animals and generate a lot of heat when in a confined space.
Does you trailer have a rear tack room? or just one large door, and ensure that there is enough room for your horse to pass through comfortably.
Consider the layout of your trailer as you pack. Are emergency items within easy reach? Can you access your horse’s feed and tack without a hassle?
Organization is key to a seamless trip. Implementing a system—like color-coded containers or labeled compartments—can save time and prevent frustration on the road.
Remember, too, that ‘essential’ doesn’t mean ‘overloaded.’ Strive for balance: bring what’s necessary and leave space for horse, rider, and the unexpected.
Equine First Aid Kit: Must-Haves for Traveling with your Horse
If you’re hitting the road with your horse, I can’t stress enough the importance of a well-stocked first aid kit.
So, what should be included in a horse first aid kit? Start with the basics:
- Vet wrap – always check the expiry date!
- Cotton bandage
- Cotton packing (you would use this to go between the vet wrap or bandage and the horses skin),
- Duck tape,
- Disposable diapers or sanitary napkins
- Thermometer – you should know your horses normal temperature.
- Heavy duty scissors
- Syringes for wound flushing (60 cc)
- Saline solution – saline solution for flushing out eyes or wounds.
- Sterile gauze pads
- Stethoscope – to monitor the horse’s heart rate and gut sounds
- Hoof pick
- Flashlight and/or headlamp (with fresh batteries, spare batteries & bulbs)
- Tweezers
- Instant cold compress
And, a list of contents, so anyone can use the kit if needed.
At the beginning of every season check expiry dates, – such as on your vet wrap, as there is nothing worse than needing it and finding its congealed into a lump.
At the end of the show season you will need to bring the liquids into a heated area, along with the batteries.
The Importance of Hydration when Traveling with your horse: Packing Water and Feed
You now have your first aid kit packed, you should think about your horse’s hydration and feeding needs. Traveling in a horse trailer is very stressful for a horse, every hour is the same as riding 15 miles, and water is arguably the most critical aspect of your horse’s health, particularly during travel along with forage.
Water quality can change drastically as you move from place to place. To minimize disruption and to help keep your horse hydrated – want to learn more about hydration click here for my post on horse health and hydration, pack water jugs (with lids) filled from your home supply, I use the solid water containers, I like the idea of the collapsible ones, but not sure how robust they would be, and they can’t double as a mounting block!
If you need to use water from other sources, consider water flavors, such as powdered juice concentrates – my daughters pony used to love peach flavored water!
If you are on a very long journey – stop every four hours to offer water, and if safe allow the horse out of the trailer to stretch his legs.
Trailer Safety
Before the beginning of the season and during the traveling season, you should check you trailer for wear and tear, a good place to start is with the wheels, are the tires in good condition?
Does your trailer have wheel bearings or torsion axles? if your trailer has wheel bearings make sure that they are regularly greased. As well the brakes should be checked regularly, as fires can be caused by the wheels locking up, and tires blowing out.
- The tongue (where the trailer attaches to the tow vehicle), is this worn?
- Are the safety chains in good shape?
- when did you last check the battery for the emergency brakes on trailer?
- Inside, is the floor in good shape?
- Are they any worn catches that the horse could get caught up in or cut itself on?
Download your free trailer checklist here
Tow Vehicle Safety
Before heading out on the road, you should check that the gross vehicle weight of the trailer conforms to the weight that your tow vehicle can tow. If you’re not sure check here
Packing Essentials:
Before packing your trailer, consider what you are going to be doing:
Horse
- English/Western Tack
- Bridle with bits reins
- saddle pad, English/Western
- grooming kit
- first aid kit
- hay and water, any concentrated feed
- electrolytes
- Spare halter and breakaway tie
- Trailering bandages – if used
- fly sheet and mask
- cooler or heavier blanket if its going to be cold.
- Electric fencing or panels if staying over night
Rider
- Riding clothing
English: jodhpurs, riding boots, white shirt, jacket, cravat or riding helmet
Western: jeans, boots, shirt, hat - riding helmet and or safety vest
- Riding boots and socks
- Spare boots for walking around in
- rain jacket
- sunscreen, hat and glasses
- drinks and food – you need to be able to take care of yourself, as you won’t be able to take care of your horse if you aren’t well!
There is nothing worse that broken tack, and accidents happen, when you aren’t in your usual space, so pack some essentials, such if possible a bridle, reins, stirrup leather, and girth.
Storage and maintenance of your spare tack can greatly affect its longevity. Proper care includes regular cleaning and inspection.
Wrapping Up Your Equestrian Road Trip Preparedness
Pack those extra saddle pads and keep your grooming kit handy to maintain that show-ready appearance, and remember, your first aid kit isn’t just a precaution, it’s a mainstay for responsible equestrian travel.
I encourage you to revisit your list periodically and adjust as needed. Conditions change, and so might your horse’s needs. Stay flexible and willing to update your gear. The essentials outlined in this article, including spares of critical items like reins and bridles, are not exhaustive but are certainly foundational.
And as always, I’m keen to support your equestrian endeavors. If you’ve got any thoughts, experiences, or suggestions that you believe would benefit others, feel free to share them. Companionship isn’t just about sharing the road; it’s about sharing knowledge and experiences. Safe travels, and wishing you a stellar show season!
