Horse Transport Blog

If you’re a racehorse owner, you know transporting your equine safely and quickly is a top priority. It is also important to make the trip as less stressful as possible for the horse. A stressed horse is not a happy horse.

Nowadays, there are a couple of options you can choose when shipping your horse from race to race across the country. However, the best options are either having your own trailer or using a commercial transport provider. In this article, we will examine the pros and cons of these 2 options so you can make the best decision for you and your equine.

Preparing Your Horse

Besides checking for if your horse is in a healthy condition, practice loading your horse in and out of trailers, that way he can familiarize himself with the procedure. This will be beneficial to you if you decide to transport your horse yourself or with a commercial carrier. Shipping boots are also recommended to be worn on your horse as they serve as protection for the legs, however if your horse is not yet accustomed to wearing these, take time to let your horse get used to them before the journey.

Trailer

Trailers are increasingly becoming more popular because of the flexibility and stability they offer for transporting horses. Many trainers or owners also like to be with their horse when they are traveling as it provides a sense of security. However, with all these perks come the negatives.

Having your own trailer means you have to maintain it and cater it to your horse. First, you must choose to load your horse using the slant or straight style and what ramp to use to load your horses into the trailer. Then you must make sure the inside of the trailer is suited for your horse. There should be no sharp protrusions and the design should look inviting to your equine so there will be less reluctance to enter.

If possible, try to have a trailer that has insulated sides as this helps keep the trailer cooler during hot weather and warmer during cold weather. Also, try to have a fiberglass roof instead of the traditional metal roofing as the metal acts as an unnecessary heat pad.

In general, since this is the compartment your horse will be traveling in, it is key that the trailer be in superb condition. There should be no rust, broken windows, holes in the roof, missing parts, and the frame should not be damaged.

Check the trailer lights to make sure they are working, and the tires on the trailer should be in fair condition, not dry-rotted and worn down. The floor boards should be in good condition as well and make sure there are enough vents to provide for comfortable ventilation since horses are susceptible to over heating.

Comfort in the trailer

Dehydration is a common problem when horses are shipped, therefore providing enough water is essential. Offer water from a familiar bucket every four hours or at every stop to prevent dehydration from occurring. Hay also aids in preventing dehydration because it helps retain water in the body. Do not feed the horse grain or rich feed prior or during shipping as this may cause problems in the large intestine.

As stated earlier, horses are more prone to over-heating than getting cold when being shipped which also why hydration is vital. If you are going to use a commercial carrier, make sure the carrier knows these facts as well.

Transporters

If you unable to transport your horse yourself, you will need to find a carrier. This is common with racehorse owners or trainers just because they don’t have enough time to do it themselves. When choosing a commercial provider, make sure the horse carrier has a USDOT and MC number, which can be verified on www.safersys.org. Check that the driver is licensed and has good knowledge of the transportation laws in each state it will pass through.

Also check to see if the driver has a live animal transport license and insurance that will adequately cover the loss, injury, or death of your horse during transport. Leave your contact information with the service provider incase a problem arises during transit. Checking for references isn’t a bad idea either. It will help give you a feel how the carrier handles the road as well as horses.

Here are some questions to consider asking your transporter:

• How many years have you had experience transporting horses?
• Do you haul a horse with his head tied?
  -A horse should be left loose in order to prevent respiratory stress. When a horse is able to move around and lower his head, he is able to blow and clear his nasal passages of dirt and debris.
• How many horses do you transport at one time?
  -If a horse is shipped with unfamiliar horses, this adds stress to the trip.
• What happens if my horse has a medical emergency?
• How often will you update me?
• What is your fee?
• How can I best prepare my horse for transport with you?
• What supplies do I need to pack for my horse?
• How often will you stop?
  - Water should be offered four hours or at every stop to prevent dehydration from occurring, and horses also need time to rest and use the restroom.

Transporting your racehorse can be an easy and hassle-free process when you’ve taken the appropriate measures in preparing for the journey. Keep these tips in mind for your first or next trip to assure a comfortable and safe ride for your equine and have peace of mind for yourself.

Written by Leslie Hsu of uShip.com, an auction-style marketplace for Horse Transport