Trailering Your Horse with Safety in Mind

When it comes to trailering, make every trip a positive experience by planning it out ahead of time to ensure that your horse arrives safe.
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If you own horses, it’s likely that you'll need to trailer them at one time or another. Whether it’s a short distance to nearby trails or several hours’ drive to a competition, with a bit of care, planning, and attention, you can safely get your horse to where you’re going and minimize the possibility of any mishaps or undue stress.

“No matter the distance, trip planning is the key to successful journeys, including knowing the weather conditions, road construction, etc.,” says Penny Lawlis, humane standards officer with the Animal Health and Welfare Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Lawlis also currently sits on the National Farm Animal Care Council and teaches a graduate level course in practical animal welfare assessment for the University of Guelph.

When transporting a horse, it’s important to plan out the route ahead of time, avoiding peak times in busy areas to avoid sitting in traffic. Also, be aware of any possible inclement weather. If the weather could make driving difficult, reschedule the trip for another day.

Lawlis also stresses the importance of trailering only when the horse is healthy. “One of the issues we encounter frequently is animals that are loaded and transported when they are not fit to be transported,” she says. “Unfit horses must not be loaded unless they are being shipped on the advice of a veterinarian to a vet hospital for treatment. Compromised horses should not be transported mixed in with fit horses in the same compartment

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