It will add heat to both the horse and the horse’s owner from extra stress. There are several simple tips you can consider when vacationing with your horses this summer! A successful trailering experience can lead to many great vacations in the future!
The first tip is to leave early in the morning to get away from the heat of the afternoon. If you have several days of driving, this won’t work, but you can install a road trip to get you started. in the morning, break in the afternoon, and send out the horses, and continue your journey as soon as the heat has ceased in the late afternoon. Overnight can be a great option as a horse trailer during the heat of the day.
Second, the decision of many stops! While you feel that your horse is just right on the back of the trailer, a lot of the horse’s body is tired. Balancing on a rough, rocky trailer is more work than you can imagine, and the horse can become tired and the muscles start to . If the horse is not being pulled, this is often the most important thing. Try to find a place where you can take the horse out of the trailer and walk around a bit. A good horse friend can help you stop along your route so you will have an access area for your horse.
Third, I follow a suitable layer of bedding on the base. This bedding will absorb material from the horse and prevent fecal and wet conditions. When you leave, be sure to clean the trailer and put down a new bed. Horse smells from urine and horse stools are very uncomfortable. A great tip to prevent the mattress from blowing and creating dust is to simply water the mattress after application. Take it through the can, and sprinkle the new layer enough to prevent blowing and excess dust.
Another great way to keep your horse cool is by increasing ventilation. Open all the windows for six to let the wind blow. Fans can be installed to move the air around within the six as well. You don’t want to place your horse right in front of a window where the wind is harsher in the face. Join the horse well enough if he wants to put his head in the wind, but also to be able to escape from the wind. Circulating air will help the sweat quickly disappear from the horse’s skin.
The last and perhaps most important tip for trailering in the heat is to keep your horse well hydrated. This starts even before your horse is in the trailer. A few days before you head out, try to encourage plenty of water intake. Place extra water around the pasture for easier access. While traveling, be sure to offer your horse clean, cold water to maintain body moisture. Horses can sweat for up to 4 hours in very hot conditions, so this is very important! Feed the horse moderately; be careful not to give too much food, as your horse will burn out of disgust. Provide less than at home so that the horse does not get motion sickness on the way.
If your horse seems to be struggling during the trip, be sure of his needs. There is no way to improve your horse’s condition. A happy holiday begins with a happy horse and ends with a happy horse and owner!
