Ensure safe and stress-free summer trailering for your horses with practical tips on preparation, care, and heat stress prevention for a comfortable journey.
It’s officially the season for all things equestrian—whether you’re hitting the show ring, enjoying trail rides, or gathering for exciting horseback events. This time of year is full of camaraderie, triumphs, and fun with both humans and horses. However, rising temperatures during the summer months can make traveling with horses a challenge. Transporting horses in hot weather significantly raises the risk of heat stress, potentially leading to severe conditions like heat exhaustion, colic, or even a collapse inside the trailer. To prevent these devastating situations, it’s essential to plan ahead to protect both your horses and yourself.
Before your horse even steps onto the trailer, ensure they are fully hydrated. Provide free-choice water in the hours leading up to travel. On the morning of the trip, boost hydration by offering an electrolyte supplement in gel, paste, or powder form. Another great option is mixing water into your horse’s grain to create a mash or soup.
If you are traveling out of town stop every four hours to offer your horse fresh water. If your horse is a picky drinker, consider bringing large, multi-gallon containers filled with water from your barn. To help them adjust to unfamiliar water when your supply runs low, try mixing in Gatorade powder to mask the taste and encourage them to drink.
Provide your horses with adequate airflow during travel by opening windows and vents, ensuring the bars remain in place to prevent them from sticking their heads out. Before setting off, review your route for potential traffic delays to avoid turning the trailer into an overheated environment during prolonged stops.
Pay attention to temperature and humidity conditions. Avoid traveling when the combined temperature and humidity exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Plan to travel early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s cooler, and minimize the time spent idling at gas stations to refuel. When the trailer isn’t moving, airflow is reduced, and temperatures inside can rise by up to 25 degrees. Every time you stop, check on your horses and offer them water.
Keeping an eye on your horses while traveling can be tough, but a trailer camera can make all the difference. With this handy tool, you can monitor your horses from the comfort of the cab, ensuring their safety and your peace of mind.
Be alert for indicators of overheating or heat stress, such as:
- Excessive sweating
- Flared nostrils
- Increased respiratory rate
- Rectal temperature exceeding 102 degrees Fahrenheit
If your horse stops sweating, they may be in the advanced stages of heat distress. On the road, you can help cool down your horse by running cool water over their legs, head, neck, and chest, and by using a fan and moving the horse into a shaded area.
Consider installing a thermometer in your trailer to monitor conditions. If your horse doesn’t improve while cooling down, contact a local veterinarian for assistance. Early intervention is more effective and less costly than addressing severe heat distress.
Reaching your destination doesn’t mean your horse is entirely out of danger. Horses need time to recover from the trip, especially if the destination is hotter or more humid than home. Plan for at least one day of rest after a six- to 12-hour haul, or two to three days for trips longer than 12 hours. This recovery period allows your horse to adjust to the new environment.
During post-travel recovery, it’s important to provide supportive care to ensure the horse’s well-being. Offer electrolytes in gel, paste, or powder form to help replenish lost nutrients. Ensure access to free-choice, cool, clean water to keep them hydrated. Soak their feed into a mash or soup for easier consumption and digestion. Additionally, keep the horse in a shaded area and use fans in stalls to maintain a comfortable environment.
Traveling with horses during the hot summer months can be a challenging task for both the animals and their handlers. However, with thoughtful preparation, summertime trailering can be made safe and comfortable for everyone involved. It’s essential to anticipate and address the risks of heat stress by planning ahead and providing the necessary care to your horses before, during, and after the journey. This ensures their health and well-being throughout the trip.
