USRider® Equestrian Traveler's Companion-January/February 2018

Equestrian Traveler’s

COMPANION

Your Essential Horse-Trailering Resource

January • February 2018

Safe Winter Hauling

Enhance Trailer Traction

Trailer-Buying: Gooseneck or Tag-Along?

Winter-Feeding Checklist

An AIM Equine Network Publication

Tennessee Bed & Barn

Equestrian Traveler’s COMPANION January • February 2018

Your Essential HorseTrailering Resource

FEATURES 8 Safe Travels

Safe Winter Hauling

12 Hauling Hints

Enhance Trailer Traction

16 Your Healthy Horse

Overcome Cold Weather Challenges

18 Buy Wise

Gooseneck or Tag-Along?

DEPARTMENTS 4 Seasonal Tip Vet-Prep Training 5 Skill Set Be a Considerate Driver

6 Travel Tip

Practice Carbon Monoxide Safety

7 Horse-Show Travel Tip Overnight Calming Block

22 Road Gear

Trailering Essentials

23 Winner’s Circle Advantage

USRider® MemberBenefit Spotlight

24 Savvy-Traveler Checklist

Winter Feeding

26 USRider Member Story Miniature Horses, Maximum Service COVER PHOTO BY KENT AND CHARLENE KRONE

USRider General Manager: Bill Riss Editor: Rene E. Riley, rriley@aimmedia.com Art Director: Abby McDougall Contact USRider: (800) 844-1409 P.O. Box 20634, Boulder, CO 80308 memberservice@usrider.org • www.usrider.org USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

28 Dream Destination Tennessee Bed & Barn AIM Equine Network is a division of Active Interest Media. Its stable of award-winning magazines includes EQUUS, Dressage Today, Horse&Rider, Practical Horseman, and The Team Roping Journal. AIM Equine Network also offers a proprietary line of books, DVDs, trailering products, and equestrian gifts through its online store, EquineNetworkStore.com.

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January • February 2018

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------------ SEASONALTIP------------

Vet-Prep for Spring If you train your horse to accept being dosed and dewormed now, you’ll make your and your veterinarian’s job much easier and more effective when it’s time for treatment this spring and year-round. Your horse needs to learn that if he accepts being touched around his mouth, the touch will soon go away—that it’s easier to stand still and accept the touch instead of fighting. Here’s an easy touch-training method from respected trainer and clinician Julie Goodnight. You can even practice this method in your barn aisle during winter months.

Step 1. Open his mouth.

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Don leather gloves, stand at your horse’s left side, and place two fingers at the left corner of his lip. He should open his mouth slightly.

Step 2. Move your fingers.

Move your fingers slightly back and into your horse’s mouth, avoiding his front and back teeth. (Photo 1). He’ll most likely shake his head and pull away from your touch, but keep your fingers in place no matter where he pulls you.

Step 3. Reward. Watch for an instant of relaxation. As soon as your horse lowers his head or stops resisting, pull your hand away (Photo 2). It’s important to keep up the pressure until he accepts it, then remove your hand immediately to reward him.

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Step 4. Repeat. Repeat this process until your horse allows you to open his mouth from both sides without resistance.

Step 5. Move around. Use

PHOTOS BY HEIDI MELOCCO

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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this same technique to teach your horse to accept your touch on other parts of his face and body.

— Heidi Melocco January • February 2018

------------ SKILLSET------------

Be Horse Aware When hauling, always be mindful of your horse, and he’ll learn to gratefully tolerate and possibly even enjoy his trailer trips. Stop and accelerate slowly to give your horse time to prepare. When turning, return to normal speed only after your trailer has cleared the turn and has straightened out, and your horse has regained his balance. Travel carefully over bumpy roads and in slick conditions.

Considerate driving positively affects your horse’s attitude about riding in the trailer, which can ease trailer-loading. Considerate driving

PHOTOS BY HEIDI MELOCCO

When hauling, always be mindful of your horse, and he’ll learn to gratefully tolerate and possibly even enjoy his trailer trips.

Considerate driving positively affects your horse’s attitude about riding in the trailer, which can ease trailer-loading.

will also help your horse feel more refreshed when you reach your destination, as balancing takes energy, and strains his muscles and tendons.

If trailering is new to you, practice driving your rig before loading your horse into your trailer. To hone your rig-driving skills, enlist a friend to drive your tow vehicle hitched to your trailer. Ride in your trailer on private property with permission. (Note that it’s illegal to ride in a tag-along trailer on public roads).

Considerate driving will help your horse feel You might be surprised how more refreshed when you reach your destinamuch your tow vehicle’s tion, as balancing takes energy, and strains his movement affects your bal- muscles and tendons. ance during sharp turns and sudden stops. more easily than a longer trailer.

Know how to back up. BackKnow that loaded horse trailing isn’t so hard once you know ers are heavy. The extra weight the secret. Put both hands on the strains your tow vehicle, increasbottom of the steering wheel. To es stopping distances, and slows make the back of the trailer to go to acceleration. These problems are the left, move both hands to the left emphasized when you’re close to (which moves the steering wheel your maximum towing capacity, to the right). To make the back of so take great care when driving. the trailer to go to the right, move Allow plenty of room between you both hands to the right. Note that a and the vehicle in front of you. longer trailer is a bit easier to back Don’t dart into traffic. Change lanes up than a shorter one, and a taggradually. along trailer with a long tongue is Drive at least 5 mph under the easier to back up than a trailer with speed limit to give you time to a short tongue. maneuver. (Note that some states Turn with care. If you want your have a separate speed limit for trailer to move sharply, turn the vehicles hauling trailers.) Don’t steering wheel before you move let other drivers push you to drive your tow vehicle. If you want to faster. You’re bigger than they are; turn more gradually, turn the let them deal with it. steering wheel as your vehicle is — Tom Scheve and Neva Kittrell moving. A shorter trailer jackknifes Scheve (www.equispirit.com)

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January • February 2018

------------TRAVELTIP------------

Practice Carbon-Monoxide Safety Carbon monoxide (CO) is a potentially deadly gas produced any time a carbon-based fuel (such as gasoline, propane, charcoal, or oil) burns. Sources include gasoline engines, generators, cooking ranges, and space heaters. Carbon monoxide is undetectable—it has no color, odor, or taste; it causes no respiratory irritation; and it mixes evenly with the air.

Victims of CO poisoning usually aren’t aware they’re being exposed to the deadly gas and become impaired in ways that can lead to death. Symptoms include light-headedness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, confusion, and vomiting. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations of CO, or very short exposure to high concentrations, can lead to death.

USRider urges all equestrian travelers to take precautions to avoid CO poisoning. Use only factory-installed, well-maintained heating units. Avoid using a stove for heat under any circumstances. Install a CO detector in any trailer that has gas appliances. Be aware of the risks, ensure sufficient ventilation, and properly install and maintain equipment.

Avoid using a stove to heat your trailer while on the road. Use only factory-installed, wellmaintained heating units.

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

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January • February 2018

------------HORSE-SHOW TRAVELTIP------------

Overnight Calming Block Does your show horse happily settle in at any showground barn, or does he pace and worry, leaving him less alert when it’s time to show him? Consider giving him a long-lasting treat to calm him. Keeping his stomach happy and his tongue busy will help to keep his focus off of all the unfamiliar sights and sounds of his temporary quarters so he can rest up and stay focused for competition. (Plus, if you’ll be sleeping near your horse, keeping him calm and quiet can help you relax and sleep so you’ll be refreshed and ready to show.)

One such treat is the EquiDisk from Sweet Pro, a 5.5-pound wheel of healthy nutrition formulated with oats, flax, wheat, and barley to support your horse’s digestion naturally. The disk is free of molasses and other sweeteners, so it won’t make your horse hot or high. It’s heavy enough to stay put and is long-lasting—your horse won’t be able to get his teeth around it until it’s well-worn. The flat disk has a hole in the middle for hanging.

Hang the treat shoulder-height in the barn or place it in a clean bucket for your horse to lick and nibble on.

— Heidi Melocco

If your show horse tends to be anxious at showgrounds, place a healthy treat in his stall to help settle him.

PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

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January • February 2018

------------SAFETRAVELS-----------

Safe Winter Hauling Haul your horse all winter long with this expert four-point strategy.

By Rebecca Gimenez, PhD

You can haul your horse all year long, even in the dead of winter, as long as you do so safely.

Read on for expert winter-hauling tips.

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

You can haul your horse all year long, even in the dead of winter, as long as you do so safely. Here, I’ll give you a four-point strategy to approach safe winter hauling: (1) prepare for winter driving; (2) keep your horse comfortable; (3) trailer-load safely; and (4) drive carefully.

1. Prepare for Winter Driving

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Recruit an assistant to help you check all lights on your towing vehicle and trailer. Replace any nonfunctioning lights.

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

Recruit an assistant driver. In poor conditions, it’s helpful to have an assistant driver. He or she can watch road conditions, unusual events, and environmental conditions that could create a problem. He or she can also do all navigation, be the ground guide for backing and tight spots, check on the horses from the in-cab camera, and handle any important cell phone calls.

Invest in snow tires. During winter months, traction tires are recommended. Such tires must have at least one-eighth-inch of tread, and be labeled “Mud and Snow,” “M+S,” or “All-Season,” or have a mountain/snowflake symbol. See your tire dealer to find

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January • February 2018

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out which tires are best for your vehicle.

Carry chains. Comply with the chain laws in your area and the area you’ll be driving through.

Top off the tank. Re-fuel when your fuel gauge drops below the halfway mark.

Check the weather. Check weather reports, and plan accordingly. In many states, you can dial 511 for travel conditions and road closures. Allow extra time for inclement weather. Be aware of changing conditions. Look ahead, and keep track of the driving conditions in front of you. Actions by other drivers can alert you to problems and give you time to react. Look out for black ice, which is hard to see.

Call ahead. Call ahead to make sure that your destination has cleared its roads and driveways for your arrival.

2. Keep Your Horse Comfortable Here’s how to help keep your horse comfortable while on the road in the winter.

Provide good-quality hay. Even in really cold weather, horses create more heat than you think they do. The best way to keep your horse warm in the trailer is to provide good-quality hay; his system will create body heat as he metabolizes the hay.

Watch over-blanketing. It’s easy to over-blanket your horse. Most trailers are poorly ventilated, so they tend to get very warm with body heat, even in below-freezing temperatures. A light sheet or blanket is sufficient for most horses. Senior horses and compromised horses might need a heavier blanket.

Watch over-blanketing.

It’s easy to over-blanket your horse. Even if your horse wears a winter blanket in pasture (shown), he’ll likely just need a light sheet or blanket in the trailer, even in below-freezing temperatures.

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

Cold-Weather Tire Pressure Studies show that the leading factor in roadside breakdowns is tires. And as temperatures cool, tire pressure decreases.

USRider advises you to check the air pressure on both your tow vehicle and trailer at least once a month and prior to each trip.

A general rule of thumb: For every 10-degree change in temperature, tire pressure changes by one pound per square inch (PSI). Pressure goes up when temperatures are higher and down when temperatures are lower.

The correct tire pressure for your vehicle will be on a placard located in an interior doorjamb; you can also find it in your owner’s manual. The air pressure for trailers can be found stamped on the tire sidewall. Tire-pressure recommendations are as listed as “Maximum Cold Air Pressure.” Unlike vehicle tires, trailer tires should be inflated to the maximum pressure indicated on the tire.

Check tire pressure prior to traveling, while the tires are cold. Avoid checking tire pressure in direct sunlight, which will increase pressure readings. Use a high-quality air-pressure gauge, and know how to use it.

In addition to preventing blowouts, properly inflated tires will last longer, handle safer, and get better gas mileage by reducing rolling resistance.

Consider investing in tire-pressure monitoring system to alert you to any sudden drops in air pressure.

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

As temperatures cool, tire pressure decreases. USRider advises you to check the air pressure on both your tow vehicle and trailer at least once a month and prior to each trip. >>

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January • February 2018

Apply leg protection. Apply leg protection, such as shipping boots. On slick ground and in wet trailers, it’s especially important to protect your horse’s precious lower legs from slip-induced injuries.

Increase ventilation. Humidity and condensation buildup from PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM your horse’s breath can cause Go as slow as you need to. Run your hazard lights, if necessary. Let the rest of the respiratory illness. Improve the traffic go around you; your priority is your safety, and that of your horse and your indirect ventilation in your trailer passengers. to counteract this risk.

Avoid drafts. Make sure there are Create an inviting environ4. Drive Carefully no direct drafts hitting your horse, ment. Put fresh hay in bags and a Here’s how to be a safe winter drivespecially on his face and eyes. little grain in the manger. Open the er while hauling your horse.

Freezing-cold temperatures with doors and windows, so there’s plen- Learn to back your rig. Backing wind can cause frostbite, which can ty of light. The more inviting you up a rig is particularly challenging damage his corneas. make the trailer’s interior, the more in snow. Not only are the roads Monitor your horse. Check your likely your horse will feel confident slick, but also snow covers up the horse frequently. If there’s sweat enough to step in on dark days. landmarks you might typically rely under the blanket, he’s cooking Lay in supplies. Keep a broom, a on for guidance. Learn to back your inside. If he’s clipped and lacks nat- snow shovel, sand, shavings, and trailer when the weather is nice. In ural insulation, carefully monitor salt in your trailer or tow vehicle to poor conditions, set up your rig so him for sweat or shivering. Consid- clear snow and ice and to add tracthat you have maximum backing er investing in a trailer monitor, so tion. These measures will minimize room. Use a ground guide to make you can keep an eye on him from the chance of injury as you load sure you don’t hit something or go your tow vehicle. your horse. off course.

Turn on all lights. Keep on the 3. Trailer-Load Safely appropriate lights of your tow Here’s how to ease trailer-loading vehicle and trailer at all times, day in snow and ice. and night.

Wear good boots. Slipping, fallTurn off cruise control. Avoid ing, or breaking a limb is really a using cruise control on snowy, icy, downer on your planned trip. Find or wet roads to help maintain congood-quality boots that will keep trol of your vehicle. your feet warm, protect your feet, PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM and provide good traction.

Train your horse. Prior preparaKeep a broom, a snow shovel, sand, tion and good training are importshavings, and salt in your trailer or tow ant to make sure your horse is a vehicle. Use these tools to clear snow good loader; if he rushes in or out, and ice from the area around your he can easily slip. trailer and to add traction.

Clean your trailer. Clean the inside of your trailer. Frozen urine Find traction. Park so that your PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO and manure are slippery. If your trailer’s ramp is positioned on the Leave enough room between you and horse falls inside your trailer, he best traction you can find. Dirt is the vehicle in front of you to account could suffer a serious injury or preferred, but snow is better than for much longer braking distances even death. ice or asphalt. than normal.

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January • February 2018

Plowed snow can make normal roads and driveways very narrow. Take time to allow other vehicles to pass, and set up for turns and backups ahead of time.

Go slow. Follow this rule of thumb: “rain, ice, and snow—take it slow.” Slow down even more when approaching curves, ramps, bridges, and interchanges. Avoid abrupt actions, such as quick lane changes, braking, and accelerating. Go as slow as you need to. Run your hazard lights, if necessary. Let the rest of the traffic go around you; your priority is the safety of all aboard your rig.

Don’t become overconfident. Don’t be susceptible to the false security of four- or all-wheel drive. While four-wheel drive may help you go, it won’t help you stop.

Pay attention to the road at all times. No texting. No talking on your phone. No yelling at the kids.

Stay right. If you’re moving slower than the traffic around you, turn on your flashers, and move into the right lane.

Allow room to brake. Leave enough room between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for much longer braking distances than normal. Watch for black ice. Forget the 2-second rule. In poor driving conditions, allow yourself 8, 10, 12 seconds, or longer to come to a complete stop. Add one second per factor of driving difficulty. Factors include poor lighting conditions, inclement weather, an adverse traffic mix, and driver fatigue.

Watch for snowplows. Take extra precaution around snow-removal equipment.

In some cases, the operator’s vision may be reduced. Give operators plenty of room, staying at least 200 feet behind them.

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

Drive defensively. Plowed snow can make normal roads and driveways very narrow. Take time to allow other vehicles to pass, and set up for turns and backups ahead of time.

Use caution at wintry intersections.

Cities across the United States are replacing their incandescent traffic lights with new, energy-efficient LED traffic signals.

While these new signals provide brighter lights that last much longer and save a lot of energy, the bulbs burn so coolly that snow and ice don’t melt off. Instead, they can just accumulate on the light, which can obscure it completely. If you can’t see a traffic light at an intersection, treat it as a stop sign.

Avoid a skid. If all else fails and you must brake hard, do so as calmly and smoothly as possible, using your trailer’s brakes to assist you. If you start to skid or slide, ease off the brakes immediately, and steer into the direction of the skid to regain control. This maneuver is counterintuitive, so practice it an open parking lot or at a driving school in good weather conditions. USR

PHOTO BY RENÉ E. RILEY

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Rebecca Gimenez, PhD (animal physiology), is president and a primary instructor for Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue. A Major in the United States Army Reserve, she’s a decorated Iraq War veteran and a past Logistics Officer for the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinary Medical Assistance Team. She’s an invited lecturer on animalrescue topics around the world and a noted equine journalist.

Use caution at wintry intersections. Energyefficient LED traffic signals provide brighter lights than traditional bulbs, but snow and ice don’t melt off.

January • February 2018

------------ HAULINGHINTS------------

Enhance Trailer Traction Enhance your trailer floor’s traction to reduce the risk of a slip, and help your horse feel safe and sure of his footing.

BY FRAN JURGA

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Whenever you haul your horse, he’s at risk for losing his footing. Loading and unloading can be particularly hazardous, especially if your horse balks at the loading process or rushes out.

It can happen in the blink of an eye: Your horse rushes down the trailer ramp, slips, and falls. Or, it can happen during a two-hour trailer ride: You arrive at your destination to find your horse agitated, sheet askew, with a cut on his pastern.

Whenever you haul your horse, he’s at risk for losing his USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

footing, which can lead to anything from a muscle or tendon strain as he struggles to regain his balance to a severe injury and even death. These risks increase during snowy winter months.

Loading and unloading can be particularly hazardous, especially if your horse panics at the unloading process and

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rushes out. During the trip, unsure footing can cause him to become stressed and agitated, which can lead to a disastrous fall.

Enhance your trailer floor’s traction to reduce the risk of a slip, and to help your horse feel safe and sure of his footing.

Sometimes just a small change can make a big difference.

January • February 2018

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7. Maintain the trailer floor. Trailer-floor maintenance is

PHOTO BY SANDRA OLIYNYK

For your horse to feel comfortable, your trailer needs to be well-ventilated, light, and safe. If he feels good, he’s less likely to become stressed and cause a slip.

Here are 15 ways to help your horse stay on his feet as you load, unload, and go down the road.

1. Consider your horse. Let’s start with your horse. Unless you’re headed directly to your veterinarian’s clinic, your horse needs to be healthy, sound, and fit for travel.

For your horse to feel comfortable, your trailer needs to be well-ventilated, light, and safe. Knowing your horse’s trailering history is helpful.

If he’s ever been in a trailer accident or slipped on a trailer ramp, the memory may be tough to erase.

2. Make small changes. To help your nervous traveler relax, experiment with small changes. Try hauling him both tied and untied.

Adjust the divider and wall pads, especially if he’s traveling alone.

Haul him in different types of trailers over short distances, and note whether his behavior changes with trailer type.

3. Practice driving your tow vehicle. If you only occa-

sionally drive your tow vehicle, practice driving without the trailer.

Learn your tow vehicle’s idiosyn-

crasies, and make any necessary accommodations. Drive smoothly and slowly, especially if your horse worries about every stop and go.

4. Go high-tech. An onboard camera will help you monitor your horse as you go down the road. [ITAL]Caveat:[ITAL] A trailer monitor doesn’t replace hands-on checks during trip breaks.

5. Work on trailer-loading.

Work on your horse’s trailer-loading training. Try loading your horse so he faces backward, if the trailer design allows for it. He might find this position more comfortable for his spine or posture, or just for his mental state. If he tends to rush out, opt for a trailer with a front or side exit, so he doesn’t have to back out.

6. Follow your vet’s recommendations. If you’re hauling a sick or injured horse, get explicit transport directions from your veterinarian. For instance, deep shavings might sound like a good idea for transporting a sick foal, but the youngster might inhale too much dust, since he’s closer to the shavings than a horse would be.

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critical. If the floor gives way on the road, your horse is at risk for suffering catastrophic lower-leg injuries.

Regularly inspect your trailer floor for any signs of wear and weakness.

Trailer floors come in different materials; each has its advantages.

Learn to love the floor you have, and keep it in good shape. Follow the specifications for the exact construction. Some trailers drain better than others; others are designed not to drain.

8. Use trailer mats. Note that trailer mats are designed to enhance traction; they weren’t invented to cushion a horse’s ride. A softer ride is the job of the trailer’s suspension; a mat can’t substitute for it. Mats may have some anti-fatigue effect, and dampen the vibration of a bare wood or metal floor, but you need to maintain your trailer’s shocks and undercarriage to give your horse a comfortable ride.

9. Maintain the mats. Pull out the trailer mats at least once per season to examine them and the trailer floor beneath. Wash them down with a power washer, and let them dry completely before replacing them. (As you replace the mats, note that some mats can be flipped over, while others have a top and bottom.) Replace your old mats with new ones as needed.

Clean and inspect the mats after every trip.

10. Protect the mats. If you’re an eventer or show jumper, remove the jumping studs before loading your horse. Driving horses and horses ridden on pavement or in winter conditions that require drive-in studs, frost nails, or borium will wear mats more quickly.

January • February 2018

You can cover studs and frost nails with duct tape to save the mats, but you’ll compromise your horse’s traction.

11. Add shavings. Experts agree that you should put a layer of low-dust shavings on top of trailer mats. (Some people prefer green sawdust instead of shavings. Don’t use straw; if it gets wet, it’ll be slippery.) Shavings absorb urine, especially helpful if you have aluminum floors. Note the places where urine tends to puddle. Sprinkling bedding on trailer mats has its drawbacks, as bedding introduces the danger of circulating dust that can enter your horse’s respiratory

PHOTOS BY HEIDI MELOCCO

Experts agree that you should put a layer of shavings on top of the trailer mats, but place them carefully. Trailering expert Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, recommends using shavings to save the wood flooring and help prevent slipping, rather than create a homeaway-from-home environment.

passages. To reduce dust, opt for fluffy, large-flake shavings from the top of the bag, rather than the broken-down shavings at the bottom.

12. Place shavings carefully.

Shavings placement depends on the air circulation in your particular trailer. If the doors are open at the top, place shavings where you would for transport, then take your empty trailer out for a ride.

When you get back, note how well the shavings stayed where you put them and how much dust was kicked up. This helps you predict the pattern of air circulation in your trailer on the highway. Remove soggy shavings as soon as possible for the sake of the mats and the floor.

Keep dust away from your horse’s head. Trailering expert Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, president of Technical Large Animal Rescue, recommends placing shavings only where your horse will urinate or where manure will fall. She sees the downside of trailers when it comes to highway accidents involving horses.

“Filling a trailer with shavings as if it’s a box stall is ridiculous—and it contributes to respiratory issues,” Dr. Gimenez points out. She recommends using shavings to save the wood in the floor and prevent slipping, rather than to create a homeaway-from-home environment. Dr. Gimenez also recommends using a remote camera to see what’s flying around in your trailer as you go down the road.

13. Boot with care. An unshod horse may haul better without hoof boots, unless he has foot soreness that would benefit from a boot’s cushioning. If you keep the boots on, make sure that the tread hasn’t worn smooth or he could slip. If your horse isn’t footsore, remove

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PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

Soft-Ride Comfort Boots are designed to absorb the shock and vibrations of long trailer trips. the hoof boots after a trail ride or arena session. Clean the boots and your horse’s hooves before the ride home to help keep the mats in good shape. Do consider Soft-Ride Comfort Boots, designed to absorb the shock and vibrations of long trailer trips.

14. Apply leg protection.

Apply shipping boots or leg wraps every trailer ride. If you opt for leg wraps, ask your veterinarian to demonstrate a proper wrap so you don’t put too much pressure on your horse’s tendons. Make sure there’s nothing under the wraps.

Give him time to get used to the shipping boots or wraps.

15. Apply a fly mask. A fly mask will protect your horse’s eyes from shavings dust, as well as debris, pollen, and insects that can find their way into your trailer.

Reducing such irritants can cut head tossing, which can affect his balance and traction. USR For more on hoof care and lameness from expert Fran Jurga, find her on Facebook, and read The Hoof Blog, www.hoofcare. blogspot.com.

January • February 2018

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January • February 2018

------------YOURHEALTHYHORSE------------

Overcome Cold-Weather Challenges Use these expert diet and exercise tips to help your aging horse thrive.

By Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Enjoy winter riding, but be considerate of your horse’s fitness level, and be careful of the ground conditions.

Winter riding is exhilarating, but it can pose some problems. Here, we outline six potential winter-riding challenges, then give you the expert fix for each one.

Challenge #1: Physical fitness. Your horse probably isn’t getting as much exercise as USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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he did when temperatures were balmy. The end result is that he’s probably losing some of his physical fitness.

The fix: When you do ride, be considerate of your horse’s needs. Warm up slowly. Stay alert for any signs of fatigue, such as heavy breathing, sweating, “stumping,” or bad steps. >> January • February 2018

Challenge #2: Dander. Dust and dead skin cells tend to accumulate against your horse’s skin under his dense winter coat.

The fix: Spend time deep-grooming your horse to remove any buildup so you don’t risk dander irritation under tack. Clipping his belly—or doing a trace clip of the belly and halfway up the chest wall—will make these areas easier to keep clean. (If you clip, blanket your horse so he’ll be insulated from the cold.) Otherwise, use a curry and elbow grease to deeply clean and loosen material close to the skin surface. A grooming vacuum works best for removing dirt, hair, and debris, but vigorous brushing with a fairly stiff bristle brush will get the job done, too.

horse’s legs with a standing wrap before and during winter riding can help keep his joints flexible by providing warmth. (Be careful to wrap so you don’t apply undue pressure on your horse’s tendons; for expert advice from USRider’s sister publication Practical Horseman on how to apply a standing wrap, click here.)

Challenge #4: Frozen ground. Frozen ground creates

concussion on your horse’s feet and joints. It’s like working him on concrete. And frozen, uneven ground can easily bruise the bottom of his foot, and may even cut the frog.

The fix: Consider protection in the form of hoof boots for barefoot horses, or pads under shoes. Many hoof boots can also be worn over shoes.

Challenge #5: Icy ground. Ice is a particularly treacherous situation, as your horse can slip and fall, risking serious injury.

The fix: A barefoot horse will have better grip on ice than a horse in shoes. But even a barefoot horse will be safer on ice with boots. Winter-traction methods, such as borium or studs, provide much better traction, but can strain your horse’s joints, ligaments, and tendons.

Boots over shoes is another option.

Challenge #6: Snowballing.

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

If you trace clip your horse, blanket him so he’ll be insulated from the cold.

Challenge #3: Joint stiffness.

Cold weather quickly stiffens areas of arthritis or old injuries.

The fix: A brisk rub with a warming liniment, plus stretching and flexing by hand, will help your horse loosen up before your ride. (Tip: Wear heavy rubber cleaning gloves to protect your hands.) Wrapping your

Riding in snow can result in snowballing—the accumulation of ice and snow in the bottom of the foot.

Snow melts a bit on contact with the hoof, then refreezes quickly, creating a mound of snow and ice that is difficult to remove. A barefoot horse with a well-maintained, nicely rounded, concave foot may be able to pop out the snow naturally. But a longer-toed, flatter-footed (or shod) horse cannot. Regular full, flat pads don’t solve the problem, because

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Winter-traction methods, such as studs, can help your horse get a grip on icy ground, but can strain his joints, ligaments, and tendons as he pulls against the traction’s grip. snow will still build up between the pad bottom and the shoe walls.

The fix: Full pads with a large bubble in the middle, called “snow popper pads” used to be popular.

They work by compressing when the foot hits the ground and popping out again when the leg is lifted, forcing the snow out of the bottom of the foot. That part works well, but some horses find the pressure uncomfortable. Such pads also don’t allow the bottom of the foot to “breathe,” predisposing the hoof to softening of the sole, along with bacterial growth.

A better solution is a rim snow pad. This pad fits under the shoe and extends out over the sole for a short distance without covering the whole sole. Pad movement when your horse walks and trots forces out the snow. Another solution is boots over shoes. When you’re done riding, just remove them. USR Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD, is a staff veterinarian for Uckele Health and Nutrition, Inc., and is the owner of Equine Nutritional Solutions, a nutritional consulting firm.

January • February 2018

------------BUYWISE------------

Gooseneck or Tag-Along?

Trailer expert Tom Scheve helps you decide whether a gooseneck or tag-along trailer model is right for your needs.

Staff Report | Photos by Heidi Melocco

It’s an age-old debate: Gooseneck (left) or tag-along (right)?

Read on for expert Tom Scheve’s discussion of each model’s advantages and disadvantages.

It’s an age-old debate: Gooseneck or tagalong? Which trailer style is safer, most cost-effective and easiest to haul? We asked trailer-expert Tom Scheve about the differences and advantages of these trailer styles.

Tom Scheve and his wife, Neva Kittrell Scheve, have had years of hauling experience, plus many years as a commercial designers and developers of EquiSpirit Trailers. Here, Tom shares his insights and some surprising information.

Q. Is a gooseneck trailer safer than a bumper-pull trailer?

A. We prefer to call them “tag-along” trailers rather than “bumper pulls.” It’s just semantics, but you should never hook a horse trailer to the actual bumper of a tow vehicle, and the term “bumper pull” implies that this is okay. Always USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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hook your trailer to a frame-mounted hitch. To the point of your question, it’s a common misconception that gooseneck trailers are always safer, and that myth needs to be dispelled. But it gets tricky.

Q. How so?

A. First, I always recommend a gooseneck trailer for hauling three or more horses, whether it’s a slant-load or a straight-load. But for a two-horse trailer, a tag-along can be just as safe and tow just as well if hitched up with the right equipment. The tricky part is the word “safer.” There are so many variables with towing that just calling the trailer itself “safer” doesn’t take into account all the other variables, such as using a proper tow vehicle with a proper hitch. And, of course, the operator’s driving expertise is also a factor.

January • February 2018

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Q. When should a trailer-buyer choose a gooseneck over a tag-along?

A. Well, if you want a place to sleep or extra room

A tag-along trailer is less expensive than a gooseneck and tracks closer to the path of the tow vehicle when turning, notes Tom Scheve. A tag-along is also lighter than a gooseneck so you can opt for a smaller tow vehicle.

for tack, the gooseneck area gives you plenty of extra room. If you want living quarters, a gooseneck is usually mandatory. Also, it’s easier to pick the right tow vehicle and hitch combination because it’s obvious a full-sized truck is needed and the hitch only installs in the bed. With a tag-along, it’s easy to make a mistake when putting the tow vehicle and hitch combination together. This is one reason people believe a tag-along isn’t as stable as a gooseneck. We often see people tow with some scary combinations. There are so many vehicles to choose from, it’s easy to choose a less capable tow vehicle.

Q. What are the benefits of a tag-along trailer?

A. Tag-along trailers track closer to the tow vehicle’s path when turning for ease of maneuverability. Tagalong trailers are also lighter and don’t need a bed to hitch up, so they can be pulled by a wider variety of properly rated trucks and SUVs. And finally, tagalongs are less expensive than goosenecks. It doesn’t make sense to spend the extra money, unless you need the gooseneck area for sleeping or storage or just prefer a gooseneck over a tag-along.

Q. Some say they prefer a tag-along because it’s shorter than a gooseneck. What are the benefits of a shorter trailer?

A. Shorter tag-alongs are beneficial if you don’t have a lot of storage space at home. But once hitched up, the average tag-along with a dressing room isn’t shorter than a gooseneck. Here’s the math: An average twohorse tag-along with a dressing room is 17½ feet, including the tongue. So you’re pulling 17½ feet behind your truck. An average tag-along without a dressing room is 13½ feet. An average gooseneck with dressing room is 21½ feet long. But the gooseneck area, which is usually around 7½ feet, is over the truck, so you really have only about 14 feet of trailer, give or take, that you’re pulling behind your truck. So unless footage is added to the gooseneck, the average tag-along with a dressing room isn’t a shorter trailer once the gooseneck is hitched up.

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

“I always recommend a gooseneck trailer for hauling three or more horses, whether it’s a slant-load or a straight-load”, says trailering expert Tom Scheve. “Gooseneck trailers also allow for living quarters and give you extra room for storage.”

Q. Which trailer type is easier to hook up?

A. Let’s say we’re talking about a twohorse gooseneck versus a two-horse tag-along. The tagalong tongue weight is lighter—maybe by as much as 1,000 pounds or more—so it can be easier to jack up and down. And you don’t have to crawl into the truck bed as you do with a gooseneck trail-

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“With a tag-along trailer, you don’t have to crawl into the truck bed as you do with a gooseneck trailer to fasten the safety chains or, in some cases, to secure the coupler onto the ball,” notes Tom Scheve. >> January • February 2018

er to fasten the safety chains or, in some cases, to secure the coupler onto the ball.

Q. How about lining up the coupler and ball?

A. Both trailer styles are tricky, but you can master the process of either one with practice. When lining up a gooseneck, you can see the ball from the cab, if you don’t have a built-in tool chest in your truck bed. On a tag-along, you can’t see the coupler or ball, so you might need someone to guide you or do a “hit or miss.”

With experience, you’ll be able to hitch up a tag-along alone with no problem. And there are innovative devices on the market that can help you. I’ve learned some hitch-up tricks that can help with either trailer style.

Q. Clever! What is your gooseneck hitch-up trick?

A. With a gooseneck, the trick is to put down your tailgate, of course, and then place a small stone or piece of tape at the tip of the rear of the tailgate where you can see it from the driver’s seat. Place the stone or tape directly in line with the ball in the truck. Then back straight under the trailer, making sure that the coupler goes right over the stone or tape. If you’re driving in a straight line, the coupler should then end up right over the ball.

Q. And your tag-along hitch-up trick?

A. When your tag-along trailer is hitched to your tow vehicle, put a piece of visible tape high on the trailer’s nose directly up from the coupler so you can see it from the driver’s seat. If you have a vehicle with a tailgate, put another piece of tape on the end of the tailgate to line up with the tape on the trailer. When you next hitch up, just align the two pieces of tape.

Q. Which trailer type do you think would fare best in an accident?

A. There are many opinions on this, but USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

I’d say it would depend on the type of accident. If it’s a major accident, let’s say a head-on collision, there’s a chance the gooseneck could pop off the ball and, if the safety chains break, the trailer is heading straight for the cab where you’re sitting. By the way, this is why you always want to use safety chains. In a minor accident, where you might have to do a severe swerve to avoid hitting something, the heavier gooseneck would be a bit more stable than one that’s hitched behind the vehicle. That’s why it’s important to have the proper hitch. A weight-distribution system on a tag-along adds quite a bit to the safety factor. So, a lot of it depends on the circumstances and the quality of the trailer.

Q. Does the type of frame matter?

A. I think either type of trailer should be strong enough to hold up as well as possible in an accident. There are no requirements for trailer strength, and no crash testing is done, so we only have to go on the information we get from examining accidents after they happen to see which type of construction holds up better. In my many years of experience, steel and steel-framed trailers hold up much better than aluminum in accidents.

Q. Any other insight you might want to add about gooseneck vs. tag-along?

A. The best choice is a trailer that makes you feel comfortable. Many of my customers tell me they like to see the horses in the trailer while they’re traveling. So, a tag-along with big windows gives them that ability, which results in a feeling of comfort. Others just like the feeling of a gooseneck because they feel safer or more secure.

In that case, a gooseneck is the best choice. But for a two-horse trailer, you don’t need to buy a gooseneck trailer “just because.” USR

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With a gooseneck, it’s easier to pick the right tow vehicle and hitch combination because it’s obvious a full-sized truck is needed and the hitch only installs in the bed, says Tom Scheve.

Tom Scheve and Neva Kittrell Scheve are the authors of the nationally recognized textbook, The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer. Neva has also written two other horsetrailer books, including Equine Emergencies On The Road with Jim Hamilton, DVM. The Scheves present clinics at equine expos and promote trailer safety through articles in national magazines. They’ve designed and developed the EquiSpirit, EquiBreeze, and ThoroSport lines of trailers.

January • February 2018

Peace of Mind WITH EVERY MEMBERSHIP 24/7 Nationwide Roadside Assistance for You and Your Horse

Benefits includes: • • • • • •

Up to 100 miles of towing Emergency stabling assistance Emergency veterinarian referrals Emergency farrier referrals Coverage in any vehicle Service on dual-wheeled vehicles and horse trailers • Discounts on tack, travel, accessories and more!

JOIN TODAY

WWW.USRIDER.ORG (800) 844-1409

Administered by Nation Motor Club Inc., DBA Nation Safe Drivers

------------ROADGEAR------------

Trailering Essentials Top products for the equestrian traveler.

By Lauren Back

Mat-Moving Aid

Hybrid Training Halter

The EZGrip Mat Mover makes moving rubber mats in trailers and stalls easy. The heavy-duty plastic teeth will create a firm grip on your mats that doesn’t slip, even on old or wet mats. Simply push the tool onto the mat, and pull. The EZGrip grabs and holds the mat until you push the release lever.

The patented Classic Hybrid Halter from the Horse Education Company is a handy tool for introducing your horse to the trailer, combining a traditional leather halter with innovative training features that apply precise, targeted pressure. Knots on the nosepiece’s yacht rope encourage lightness and discourage leaning.

A sliding ring under the chin allows the halter ring and leadrope snap to slide a full 180 degrees.

Matching lead rope available.

Portable Slow Feeder Slow feeding can keep your horse busy and comfortable on long hauls. Fill and hang Thin Air Canvas, Inc.’s Nibblenet in your trailer to simulate natural grazing. The front of this durable vinyl bag has 2-inch, 1½-inch, or 1¼-inch openings to allow your horse to eat gradually. A solid back prevents excess hay from falling out.

Secure using the net’s D-rings. The new purple model makes the Nibblenet easy to identify when traveling with others and shows up in low-light conditions.

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

Rolling Crew Bag The Rolling Crew Bag from Cashel Company keeps you organized on the go. Place a large flake of hay in the oversized front pocket. Then just unzip the bag in the middle, and feed your horse straight from the hay pocket. Stash bulky items— such as splint boots, jackets, and blankets— in another large pocket.

Small compartments in back keep smaller items sorted. A bottom pocket keeps your muddy boots separate from your other gear.

Once you’re packed, just roll the bag to your trailer or your horse’s stall.

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January • February 2018

------------ WINNER’S CIRCLEADVANTAGE------------

USRider Member-Benefit Spotlight As a USRider Member, you can enjoy money-saving discounts through Winner’s Circle Advantage.

You may access these benefits directly through the Members Area of the USRider website, as well as through a brochure you’ll find enclosed in membership kits and renewal mailings.

Instructions and access codes give you quick

access on how to shop with all our Winner’s Circle Advantage partners. With so many discounts, you can easily save the cost of your annual membership fee, and more!

This issue, we spotlight four Health items. To shop for these items, and for more Member discounts, click here.

Prescription Drug Savings Card The USRider Prescription Drug Savings Card is available at no cost to Members and accepted at more than 54,000 pharmacies nationwide.

The card provides savings of up to 15% on brand-name drugs and 40% or more on generics. The card may also provide discounts on drugs not covered by insurance plans. When traveling, USRider Members can access On the Go to find participating pharmacies across the country.

Go to www.usrider.org to find the best deals.

EquiMedic USA EquiMedic USA is the world leader in the design and manufacture of equine first-aid kits. The company features 12 complete kits, a Build-Your-Own function, first-aid bags and cases, Disposable Mini Wound Care Kits, and hundreds of equine first-aid supplies. Specialized first-aid kits are available for trailering, the barn, and trail riding. USRider Members receive 15% off EquiMedic USA’s two trailering equine first-aid kits. Shown is the Trailering First Aid Medical Kit-Small.

RevitaVet™ Made in the USA, RevitaVet Infrared Therapy is an outcomes-based product that accelerates the healing process by better than 50%. The noninvasive, safe, easy-touse, portable, affordable technology (seven pulsating Nogier frequencies) keeps your equine athlete happy, sound, and in top performing condition. USRider Members receive a 25% discount and free shipping in the Continental United States.

Sweetwater Nutrition® Sweetwater Nutrition helps you select the right products for your horse—ranging from RelaxForm EQ (shown) for stressed horses and InflamAway joint supplements for your performance horse to Hoof Renu to promote strong healthy hooves. Sweetwater Nutrition understands the busy lifestyle that equestrians live, especially when traveling with their horses. USRider Members receive a 10% discount and free shipping on a purchase over $35.

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January • February 2018

------------ SAVVYTRAVELERCHECKLIST------------

Winter Feeding Here’s a winter-feeding checklist to help your horse stay healthy and colicfree at home and on the road.

By Jessica Jahiel, PhD

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Forage

■ Check his teeth. Have any necessary dental work done before winter hits, so that your horse will get the maximum benefit from his hay this winter.

■ Analyze the hay. Have your hay analyzed so you’ll know whether your horse’s nutritional needs are being met. If it’s lacking in specific nutrients, ask your veterinarian to advise you about adding a supplement to your horse’s diet.

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■ Feed for warmth. If your horse has a dense coat and is turned out with free-choice hay, his internal heater will work around the clock. Horses are designed to heat themselves through the digestion of forage (hay or pasture) in the hindgut. A plentiful supply of good hay is your horse’s best defense against cold; it’s also your best way to help him avoid colic, founder, and ulcers associated with incorrectly feeding grain.

January • February 2018

>>

PHOTOS BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Your horse needs clean water and plenty of it. If he lacks sufficient water to digest his feed, he’ll be at risk for colic.

Water

when slammed against the floor or frozen ground as you knock ice loose. Heavy, black rubber buckets are much better at taking the abuse associated with daily ice removal.

■ Check for dehydration.

Signs of equine dehydration are dry gums and teeth, lethargy, and dry, hard manure. Test with capillary-refill time; the skin-pinch test doesn’t work well through winter hair. Press your thumb on your horse’s gum; when the gum turns white, remove your thumb, and count the seconds until the gum turns pink again. If it takes more than two seconds, dehydration is a concern.

■ Encourage sufficient water intake. Your horse needs clean water and plenty of it. If he lacks sufficient water to digest his feed, he’ll be at risk for colic (abdominal pain that can indicate a ■ Supplement with care. life-threatening digestive-system Select your supplements on the condition).Your horse’s 10- to basis of hay analysis; give your 12-gallon daily requirement may horse only what he needs and be higher in winter, because your hay lacks. Good hay proinstead of consuming high-moisvides adequate protein and high ture fresh pasture grass (60 to 80 fiber, which produces heat from percent moisture), he’ll be relying digestion. on hay and perhaps grain, both ■ Check his weight. Horses of which have very low moisture can lose weight very quickly. In content (10 to 15 percent moister). very cold weather, inadequately ■ Monitor water temperafed horses will burn their stored ture. Offer your horse water fat. And if their ration remains between 45 and 65 degrees inadequate, they’ll begin to Fahrenheit, which will encourage burn protein from their mushim to drink enough water to stay cles. Check your horse’s weight hydrated. If he needs further enregularly using the Henneke Body couragement, add warm water to Condition Scoring System. (For a his feed (such as hay cubes/peldownloadable chart of this ninelets, pelleted feed, and beet pulp) point scale from USRider’s sister to create a slurry. To keep ice at publication, EQUUS, click here.) bay, invest in a water heater, tank Remove his blanket, if you use one. de-icer, or heated water bucket.

Reaching under his winter coat ■ Use a rubber bucket. When with your hands, firmly check his plastic water buckets freeze, they withers, back, hips, and ribs. Learn can be hard to empty; some crack his normal, healthy contours.

■ Watch the weather. Unusual cold can lead to unexpected weight loss. If extra-cold weather is on the way, increase your horse’s forage ration.

■ Maintain his weight wisely. If your horse loses weight, try increasing his hay ration, or feed him a leafier type of hay with a high protein content.

Grain adds very little warmth; fat adds calories, but not warmth.

■ Consult with your vet. If your horse is still losing weight, consult with your veterinarian about adding a small amount of grain to your horse’s diet, then add it in carefully and gradually.

Supplements

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Salt is an essential element of your horse’s diet year-round.

■ Offer plenty of salt. Salt is an essential element of your horse’s diet year-round. Place a salt block in his stall, run-in shed, and pasture or dry lot.

Jessica Jahiel, PhD (www.jessicajahiel. com), is an internationally recognized clinician and lecturer, and an award-winning author of books on horses, riding, and training. Her email newsletter (www.horse-sense.org) is a popular worldwide resource.

January • February 2018

------------ USRIDERMEMBERSTORY------------

Bob and Linda Smith wait their turn to enter the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Thanks to the quick response by the team at USRider Equestrian Motor Plan, the Smiths could sleep in their motor home while in Pasadena.

Miniature Horses, Maximum Service This Miniature Horse drill-team member saw the light while traveling from Arizona to California for the Tournament of Roses Parade.

By Bob and Linda Smith USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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One December, I met the rest of our Miniature Horse drill team—the Arizona Mini Mystique—for the trip of a lifetime. We’d been invited to perform at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, California, then appear in the Tournament of Roses Parade, to be held in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.

No Taillights As we pulled out of the driveway in Phoenix, we discovered that the taillights on the motor home weren’t working. I was pulling a Miniature Horse trailer with four Minis on board. We decided that one of the other rigs would follow me and run interference for the trip, some 390 miles.

We made it to the equestrian grounds, where we were to stall the horses and park our rigs. I used my cell phone to call USRider Equestrian Motor Plan about the taillight problem. The Member Care Specialist assured me that she would dispatch help to my location.

January • February 2018

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Nine of the 13 Miniature Horses in the drill team ride in a large trailer (shown); four go in a small trailer made for Miniature Horses pulled by Bob and Linda Smith. The team performs with 12 horses; the 13th horse is a “spare tire,” just in case, note the Smiths.

In about an hour, a young man pulled up in front of my motor home. I explained the problem.

He speculated that some fuse or wiring under the dash might be the problem. Diving into the dash, he was looking at a lot of wire in very short order. After some time testing, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “I just can’t find it. Sorry.”

He charged me what I thought was a fair price for his time and headed back to his shop.

Fast Repair

motor home to a dealership for repair. She let me know that the tow truck was covered under my policy, but that I would be responsible for parts. “No problem,” I replied. I thought I should bear some financial responsibility.

Later that afternoon, I got a call to come pick up my fixed motor home; the cost seemed very reasonable to me. I was glad to have the motor home back the same day, since we needed it to sleep in.

The USRider Member Care Specialist called me several times to make sure my rig was working properly and that our horses weren’t in any danger.

The next day, our team had a great performance at the L.A. Equestrian Center in front of one of the largest crowds we had ever seen.

On New Year’s Day, we marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade. We made it The group at a rest stop on the way from Arizona to California. Shown from left to right: Bob and Linda Smith’s rig with a four-horse trailer made for Miniature Horses; back to Arizona with no further trouble. USR the large gear trailer; and the large trailer that carries nine Miniature Horses.

I called USRider back and explained what happened to the same Member Care Specialist I’d talked with earlier. The first thing she said was, “He shouldn’t have charged you anything—I’ll get that money reimbursed to you.”

That was my first surprise, as I was new to USRider’s coverage and didn’t know all the benefits.

Next, she told me a tow truck would be dispatched to take my

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January • February 2018

------------ DREAMDESTINATION------------

Tennessee Bed & Barn

Clearview Horse Farm is a peaceful destination that’s horse-centered in every way, from its lodging to acres of pastureland.

Hitch up, and head to Clearview Horse Farm, a peaceful, horse-centered bed & barn an hour drive from Nashville.

By Audrey Pavia | Photos Courtesy of Clearview Horse Farm

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

Clearview Horse Farm’s elegant show-barn stalls were imported from England.

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If you enjoy exploring new places aboard your familiar equine friend, but prefer to be pampered rather than roughing it, a bed & barn is for you.

Clearview Horse Farm, a bed & barn in Shelbyville, Tennessee, is situated on 130 acres of rolling Tennessee countryside just an hour drive from Nashville. The farm is a peaceful destination that’s horse-centered in every way, from its lodging to acres of pastureland. Adjacent trails meander through farm>> land and forested areas.

January • February 2018

After your ride, relax in the farm’s Cowboy Lodge, which is also available for meetings and parties.

Throughout the year, Clearview hosts horse shows and other equine events, as well as top clinicians. The farm also offers quality horses and mules for sale, and personalized riding instruction.

“Anyone wanting a private lesson can benefit from the wide variety of disciplines and breeds that we have here at Clearview,” says innkeeper Marie Lloyd, a native of Manchester, England. “Our Quarter Horses specialize in reining, ranch, and pleasure, while a lot of folks want to learn the feel of a Tennessee Walking Horse.”

The farm’s well-appointed

guest rooms each have a unique horse-oriented theme. The quintessentially English Thoroughbred Horse Room has a queen-sized bed, a day bed and a full bath. The Quarter Horse room has Western décor, a queen-sized bed, and a cowboy feel.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Room is family-friendly with a queensized bed and an interconnecting door to an extra bedroom with twin beds, ideal for children. You may also stay in your living-quarters trailer.

Your visiting horse can stay in one of the farm’s 16-by-12-foot barn stalls or in an individual paddock

The farm’s well-appointed guest rooms each have a unique horse-oriented theme. The Quarter Horse room has Western décor, a queen-sized bed, and a cowboy feel.

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with a shelter and safe fencing.

Amenities include 110 stalls, a professional indoor show arena, a floodlit outdoor arena, ample parking (and hookups) for living-quarters trailers, a new extreme outdoor trail course, and quality grazing.

Shelbyville is known as the Walking Horse Capital of the World.

Clearview offers guided trail rides aboard Tennessee Walking Horses for your non-horse-owning travel partners, or if you just want to give your own horse a break. After your ride, relax in the farm’s Cowboy Lodge, swim in the pool, or fish in the well-stocked lake. USR

Throughout the year, Clearview Horse Farm hosts horse shows and other equine events, as well as top clinicians. Shown is renowned clinician John Lyons.

January • February 2018