Travelling

Question 1

What should you do the day before travelling with your horse?

Answer 1

• Prepare all the equipment you need for your horse, make sure boots are clean/dry and that there are no broken straps.
• First aid kit for the horse
• Clean and check tack
• Pack a grooming kit
• Make sure you have the paperwork you need (eg. passport)
• Check your destination and route
• Check the lights on both the vehicle and trailer/horsebox, and that the fuel tank is full.

Question 2

What areas of the horse need to be protected when travelling?

Answer 2

• Knees, hocks, coronets: as these are the most vulnerable areas to get injured if they lose balance and bump themselves on the trailer, or tread on their coronet band.
• The poll and tail, as they may hit their head or rub their tail on the door of the trailer/wall of the box.

Question 3

What should your horse wear when travelling?

Answer 3

• Poll guard: to protect the poll. (A sponge under the headcollar can also work).
• Tail guard/bandage (or both): to prevent the tail being rubbed. A tail bandage is not recommended for long journeys, so use a guard for this.
• Travel boots: to protect the legs. If you don’t have travel boots, use stable bandages down lower than the coronet , plus knee boots/hock boots and overreach boots.
• Travel rug

Question 4

What are travel rugs?

Answer 4

• Usually summer sheets or anti-sweat rugs, or the horse’s normal stable rug during the winter months.
• If your horse is a bad traveller, an anti-sweat rug is best as it will absorb any sweat and help keep the horse dry.
• The type of rug depends on the time of year and whether your horse is clipped.
• All fastenings must be secure, and a fillet strong fitted for security.

Question 5

How should you prepare the trailer before loading the horse?

Answer 5

• Do this before you get the horse ready, as the horse may get nervous or excited if left in the travel gear for a long time.
• Check it is parked on an even surface so the ramp does not move when the horses are loading.
• Make sure hay net is tied securely, and all the fittings of the trailer/box are safe.

Question 6

What should you check once the horse is loaded?

Answer 6

• That the top doors are secured back or closed.
• Depending on weather a top window can be open for air.
• Double check lights before driving off.

Question 7

What should you prepare on the day?

Answer 7

• You have spare hay/horsehage if needed
• Water or canisters
• Buckets
• Broom, shovel and a bag/skip

Question 8

How should a horse be loaded into a box/trailer?

Answer 8

• The handler should be wearing protective boots, riding hat and gloves. If you have two assistants, they should stand either side of the ramp.
• You may want to put a bridle over the headcollar for more control.
• Lead the horse up the ramp in a straight line, with confidence.
• Stay with the horse whilst the bar at the back is put up. The assistant should not stand directly behind the horse whilst doing this in case it kicks or rushes back.
• Tie the horse up quite short so it cannot swing its head about.
• Once the horse and bar are secured, the ramp can go up slowly: the handler should come off the trailer via the door.

Question 9

Whereabouts in the trailer should the horse be loaded if travelling on its own?

Answer 9

On the right hand side behind the driver, as it keeps the trailer more balanced.
- If you’re travelling two horses, the heaviest should be on the right.

Question 10

How can you tempt a horse into a trailer/box if reluctant?

Answer 10

• Use a scoop of mix or carrots
• If in a trailer, open the front ramp to make it look more inviting, but keep the front bar up.
• Put another horse in the trailer.
• Assistants can hold a lunge line behind the horse to encourage it on.
• Lead a confident horse directly in front of a nervous one, and carry on down the front ramp, leaving the nervous one in the trailer.
• Try some bedding on the floor
• Find out whether your horse prefers to be loaded first or last.

Question 11

How should you unload a horse from a trailer?

Answer 11

• On arrival, check your surroundings and then lower the front ramp to the floor. Remember to stand to the side.
• Untie your horse and place the bridle on the horse before you undo the breast/breach bar or open the partition. Ensure you are in control. Don’t allow the horse to rush down the ramp.

Question 12

How should a trailer/horse box be driven?

Answer 12

• Care must be taken, especially around bends and on uneven roads.
• The national speed limit applies, but the max. speed is 50mph on a single carriageway and 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways.
• It is better to keep to 50mph to avoid snaking.
• Prepare to stop in plenty of time, so you don’t suddenly brake and make the horse lose balance.