In every issue of Horse & Rider you'll find articles on training by the country's leading experts, the latest on equine health care from top veterinarians, trail riding tips from savvy back country riders, and much more!
THE TRAILER IS PACKED, and sunlight is beginning to show along the horizon. Once your horse is loaded, you’ll be on your way. An hour later, the sun’s up, but you’re still trying to get your horse in the trailer, and you’re both at the end of your rope. It’s a frustrating situation. And what if you’re loading your horse to evacuate in the face of an approaching wildfire, or he’s injured himself and you have to get him to the closest veterinary hospital? Trailer loading isn’t something a horse should just know how to do—it’s something he needs to be trained to do calmly and in any situation. And training is the key. Just as you would train your horse to cross a creek or work through a trail…
YOUR TRAVELING HORSE needs optimal feed and water, whether you haul your horse across time zones or just a few hours away from home. A high-quality diet and ample water help your horse keep up his energy, fight travel stress, fend off disease, and avoid colic (a potentially life-threatening digestive disorder). Your horse also needs ample water to fight travel-related dehydration, due to decreased water intake while on the road. This in mind, I’ll first explain how to best manage your horse’s feed and water needs at home. Then I’ll explain the health risks that changes to his routine can pose when he travels. Next, I’ll give you a rundown of special on-theroad needs. I’ll also briefly explain signs of colic, and tell you what to do should your horse…
As you haul your horse, he must constantly adjust his body weight to keep his balance, working his muscles hard. He may even have to scramble to stay on his feet. Here, I’ll explain how your horse balances in your moving trailer. Then I’ll give you eight ways to help keep him safe, secure, and on his feet. Finally, I’ll provide pros and cons of four common trailer designs, in terms of how they affect equine balance. Good driving skills are crucial to helping your horse keep his balance. Turn and accelerate slowly, and brake gently. Balancing Act Since your horse’s body weight is so high above his feet, he has to work hard to keep his weight stable when your trailer is randomly swaying, bumping, and moving down the…
We’ve all stared into our horse trailers, dismayed by messy tack rooms, dirty compartments, filthy floors, and maintenance issues. It’s easy to close the doors and walk away, thinking, “I’ll tackle it later.” But for the sake of your investment, not to mention your horses’ comfort and your own peace of mind the next time you use the trailer, you’re best off to keep it clean, organized, and maintained as you go. Luckily for you, others who haul horses have discovered great ways to care for their trailers, and are willing to share their secrets. So roll up your sleeves, and let’s get started. Make Cleaning a Habit ADVICE FROM: R.J. King, manager of Simons Show Horses, Aubrey, Texas. 1 Clean out all the shavings after every show and clean…
