In general, competition horses should be moved from one place to another, for this reason their owners and managers must ensure that the trips they make with the horses are the most comfortable and safe for them. For that we will give you some tips for a safe horse trip.
Each horse is a totally different personality, some are safer, others more nervous, that is why the treatment should be based on the special needs of these beautiful animals.
The journey for the safest horses may be just another activity. While for scary or nervous horses this is usually a problem. Including can be traumatic for the horse and stressful for people in charge of moving the animal.
Regardless of whether the trip is long or short, the animal must be as serene as possible. For this reason, it is extremely important that you follow the tips for a safe horse trip to the letter.
Horse welfare – Tips for a safe horse trip
Every time your horse takes a trip, it must be in excellent condition. Therefore your vaccination schedule should be updated with up-to-date vaccinations.
It must also be dewormed, this is of utmost importance for the animal.
On the other hand, your health must be in optimal conditions to make the trip.
If the trip is long it is necessary that you have a valid health certificate and endorsed by a licensed veterinary doctor in your country. If they are international trips with more reason you must be careful with the documentation of the animal.
Having all the health certificates will make your horse healthy to travel. Therefore you should keep these important documents protected.
Remember the animal’s health should be the priority of its master.
If it is a horse that participates in equestrian competitions it must be very well fed, cared for and trained by a professional.
Tips for a safe horse trip: Hay as food for a traveling horse
Horse feeding is one of those important elements to consider for a horse ‘s road trip.
For this reason, the ideal is that the horses have access to hay for their food, in this way they will also be distracted during the trip. So it does double duty.
Hay nets and slow food dispensers are used to monitor consumption for the duration of the ride.
The horse welfare officer during the journey must ensure that the hay nets are carefully hung. This with the end so that a horse can not get entangled in it.
The reserve of food that in this case is hay should be sufficient for the estimated travel time of your horse.
The equine must remain tethered
As we know the movements of a moving truck can be abrupt, that is why the horse must be properly tied.
For this reason, for the horse to be safe during the trip, they must have adequate space. In this way the animal will be able to move its head and neck.
Ideally in these cases, a leather halter should be used in case a horse gets stuck.
Above all, the safety and well-being of the animal must be a priority for the animal’s master or keeper.
Hydration and stops during the trip – Tips for a safe trip of the horse
The maximum travel time should not exceed eight hours, taking into account that animals are living beings and that they need to rest.
The ideal is to make stops with a certain frequency and in this way make sure that the horse is well.
It should be noted that the equines should not be unloaded at this time, it is simply to validate that everything is fine in the space where it goes.
Stops should be made every 3-4 hours, in addition to choosing a shady area to help keep horses cool.
Hydration is of utmost importance in horses, therefore water must be supplied to the horse during the trip. Therefore water should be brought from home, as some horses are used to this flavor.
An essential: The first aid kit
The first aid kit is vitally important and should be kept on hand at all times. Therefore, when checking all the elements to be used during the horse’s journey, it cannot be missing.
In an emergency the kit is worth pure gold and can make a difference when saving a horse’s life. In this sense, this is one of the tips for a safe horse trip.
The first aid kit should include basic items such as: electrolytes, wound cream, bute paste, gauze, cotton strips, eye wash, hydrogen peroxide, stethoscope, thermometer, soap, and scissors.
Rest for the horse after a long journey
This is one of the tips for a safe horse trip that you must fully comply with.
Since horses need time to recover after traveling in a trailer for a long time.
Commonly, an equine requires rest after a long journey. Well, this can range between 8 and 12 hours.
It depends on the time of the trip more it will take the horse to recover.
The tips of Gustavo Mirabal
If you follow the various tips for a safe horse trip that we leave you in this article to the letter, you will surely have a trip without a hitch.
Remember that the priority is the comfort and well-being of the horses, when they are in competition you must be even more careful.
In this regard, it is important to ensure that the animal is safe. Without a doubt, this will help ensure a lower risk of injury or disease to the animal.
So as the saying goes:
“Caution is forearmed”
It is highly relevant to take adequate preventive measures to protect them as well as to provide security and comfort to horses.
Sources:
https://gustavomirabalcastro.online/caballos/tips-para-un-viaje-seguro-del-caballo
http://www.sconeequinehospital.com.au/equine-health-articles/15-tips-for-travelling-your-horse
If you want to know more about Gustavo Mirabal or Equine World, visit to:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQhFw2dwQZrOXE7ysqQunvg/videos
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