Trailing Comfortably
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Trailering Comfortably
When traveling with your horse it is very important to make sure of the ride. The ride your horse takes should be as comfortable as the ride you get from him. The care of the horse and the trailer are what make traveling comfortable for the equine athlete.
Any trip starts with preparation and the first step of that should be protecting the horse. Proven research shows that horses are stressed during trailering. One symptom of this is leg weariness and injury. Simply taking the time to put on shipping boots can protect against this. Shipping boots protect the legs from bumps, bruises and accidents. The best type of shipping boots are thickly padded, fasten with Velcro and cover from the hoof to the knee on the foreleg and hoof to hock on the rear.
Temperature is also a major consideration when trailering a horse. Horses adjust well between temperatures of 30 Ð- 75 degrees F. Depending on the type of trailer used for transport wind and precipitation are also important factors. Foals, older and thinner horses as well as clipped ones require blankets in colder, wetter weather.
Heat and humidity are also concerns for the traveling horse. During this type of weather sweating and respiration are not as effective in lowering the body temperature. The best way to alleviate any problem with this is to travel during the cooler parts of the day, keeping vents and windows open with the trailer moving. Make sure to offer water to a horse that is being trailered long distances.
The distance traveled also effects smart safety procedures. If traveling, all day unload every 3-4 hours. Many horses refuse to urinate in the trailer and unloading offers them some relief. Unloading also allows the horse time to stretch and relax a little. Relaxation in turn helps keep the body systems working and relieves swelling in the legs. If a horse is known