Equestrian Traveler’s
COMPANION
Your Essential Horse-Trailering Resource Summer 2019
Must-Have Emergency Gear
Trailer Like a Pro
Load for Stability
10 Tips for Hot Trips
Summer Getaway:
British Columbia
Handy Checklist:
An AIM Equine Network Publication
Equine-Travel First-Aid Kit
Equestrian Traveler’s COMPANION Summer 2019
Your Essential HorseTrailering Resource
FEATURES 10 Safe Travels Emergency!
14 Trailer Like a Pro Part I: Travel Prep
18 Your Healthy Horse 10 Tips for Hot Trips
22 USRider Member Story Tire Troubles
DEPARTMENTS 4 Trip Tips Expert Travel Help
6 Skill Set Load for Stability
8 Handy Checklist Equine-Travel First-Aid Kit
24 Road Gear Summer Essentials
26 Winner’s Circle Advantage USRider® Member Benefit Spotlight
28 Getaways Oh, Canada! COVER PHOTO BY KENT AND CHARLENE KRONE
USRider General Manager: Bill Riss Editor: René E. Riley 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
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. 2
Summer 2019
TripTips USRIDER MEMBERTIP----------------------------
Know Your Location
When you trailer your horse, know where you are in case you need roadside assistance. Travel with a GPS unit or cellphone.
If you need roadside assistance, a USRider service provider will need to know your location. After ascertaining that you and your horse(s) are okay, a Member Care Specialist will ask you for a street address. If you can’t provide your exact location, road names and landmarks will help. When you trailer your horse, make it a habit to be aware of the city you’re in and the city coming up. Take note of mile markers and major intersections. If you’re on an interstate, know the nearest exit names or numbers. Travel with a GPS unit or cellphone. These devices typically have a “locate” feature that will give you the name of the nearest town or your latitude and longitude coordinates. USRider can use this information to pinpoint your location. Also carry a paper map to orient you. If you have difficulty pinpointing your location, USRider can conference you with a service provider in the general area to help.
SEASONALTIP----------------------------------------------------
Keep Your Horse Cool Follow these tips to help your horse stay cool as you haul him during the warm summer months. Install fans. Consider adding small, lightweight fans to your trailer’s electrical system, and affix them to a wall. Buy a temperature gauge. Buy a wireless gauge that will enable you to see the real-time temperature inside the trailer from inside your tow vehicle. Attach the gauge at about mid-neck height in the trailer. Avoid any wall where you might get a false reading from the sun beating down on the trailer. Avoid blanketing. Your horse’s physiology is made to regulate his temperature perfectly well; a blanket will inhibit his ability to cool himself naturally. Avoid the heat. Avoid hauling during the heat of the day; haul at night or early morning. Open vents and windows. To increase active cooling, open all passive vents. Also open screened trailer windows. Screens will keep road debris out of your horse’s eyes. Provide ample water. Offer water to your horse before, during, and after transport. His water needs will increase in hot conditions. Give him as much water as he wants. Consider electrolytes. Discuss electrolytes and salt supplements with your veterinarian. These minerals replace salt lost in sweat. Take breaks. Every few hours, unload your horse where he PHOTO BY KENT AND CHARLENE KRONE can safely relax in the shade, and eat and drink normally. Every few hours, unload your horse where he can safely — Rebecca Gimenez, PhD relax in the shade, and eat and drink normally. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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Summer 2019
HEALTHTIP--------------------------------------------
Colic: Take Action
PHOTO BY ROBERT LANGRISH
If your horse suffers colic while you’re traveling, either in transit or at your destination, your fast and appropriate actions could save his life.
Colic is the No. 1 killer of horses, and traveling horses are particularly at risk due to reduced water intake, potential change of feed, and stress. Your fast and appropriate actions could save your horse’s life. Here’s what to do. Call the vet. Call a veterinarian immediately. Depending on the information you give your vet about the history and symptoms, he or she can decide if your horse needs to be seen right away and can tell you what to do until he or she arrives. To locate a vet who’s a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners on the road, go to aaep.org, and click on Get-A-DVM. This search engine will help you connect with a practitioner dedicated to the highest standard of equine medical care. Stay calm. Colic is a painful and frightening condition for your horse. When in the throes of pain, even the most mild-mannered companion can become a raging monster. To help reassure your horse, keep a calm exterior, and focus your energy on your horse’s needs. Walk your horse. With mild spasmodic colics, try walking or even longeing your horse. Light exercise may be all it takes to get his moving well again. However, this is a judgment call for your vet to make. Avoid drugs. Never give your horse any pain-relieving drugs without your vet’s knowledge and instructions to do so. These can mask symptoms enough that your vet won’t get a true impression of what’s going on with your horse. — Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD
TRAILERINGTIP----------------------------------------
Travel Safely Your choice of trailer and attention to safety will help keep your traveling horse injury-free. Here are three trailering-safety tips. Consider a rear-facing trailer. Trailer cams tell us that rear-facing trailer models tend to allow horses to better balance their weight than forward-facing trailers, especially during braking. And in the event of an accident, your horse’s strong hindquarters will absorb the shock of an impact much better than his face and head. Consider a stock trailer. A stock trailer is also a good choice, because it allows your horse to find his own comfortable space and hauling angle. However, if you haul more than one horse, note there’s a higher risk of them injuring each other within the same compartment. Also, be sure to apply an eared fly mask to your horse to keep pests and road debris out of his eyes and ears. Keep horses separated. Whatever kind of trailer you use—stock, slantload, or straight load—the most important thing is to ensure that the A stock trailer allows your horse to find horses can’t bite or kick each other during transport. his own comfortable space and hauling — Rebecca Gimenez, PhD angle. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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------------ SKILLSET------------
Load for Stability
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
As you load horses into your trailer, consider the weight distribution for stability. The lighter the tongue weight, the more the trailer is apt to sway and bounce.
The better you distribute the weight of different-sized horses, the more stable your trailer will be. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
As you load horses into your trailer, consider the weight distribution for stability. The lighter the tongue weight, the more the trailer is apt to sway and bounce. A tag-along (bumper-pull) trailer should carry 10 to 17 percent of the trailer weight on the tongue. A gooseneck trailer should carry 25 percent of the weight on the tongue. Horses are top heavy. Top-heavy weight that moves inside a trailer causes sway, which can lead to loss of control. And if you have to jerk your steering wheel or slam on your brakes to avoid an accident, or if the horses start to act up, the live weight shifting back and forth puts you at risk for a trailer accident.
Load up Right PHOYO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM
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Here’s how to load your trailer for optimal stability. • Two-horse tag-along. Configuration: A two-horse tag-along trailer has >> Summer 2019
a substantial tongue weight in relation to the load it’s carrying, so it should track quite well. Both horses are right over the axles, with about 25 percent more weight (head and shoulders) ahead of the axles. How to load: With a straight-load trailer, place the heavier horse (or a single horse) on the driver’s side, since most roads are crowned in the center. • Three-horse tag-along. Configuration: In a three-horse tag-along, the tongue weight could easily exceed the ratings of most frame-mounted hitches with the weight of three horses and the additional trailer length. To counterbalance the tongue weight, a stall is placed behind, over, and in front of the axles. A “teeter-totter effect” can result if the horses are of different sizes. How to load: Avoid loading the heavier horses in the back and middle and the lightest one up front, which could lighten the tongue weight. If you’re trailering only two horses, load them into the front and
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
In a two-horse gooseneck trailer, place the heavier (or single) horse on the driver’s side.
PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM
If you have a two-horse, straight-load, tag-along (bumper-pull) trailer, load a single horse on the driver’s side to counteract the center crowning found on most roads. middle stalls to maintain a good tongue weight, but make sure the frame-mounted hitch ratings can handle it. • Two-horse gooseneck. Configuration: Two-horse gooseneck trailer axles are placed at the rear of the trailer, since most fullsize trucks can handle the tongue weight. How to load: Load horses the same way as you would a two-horse tagalong. • Three-horse gooseneck. Configuration: This trailer can handle a lot more weight than a tagalong trailer since the gooseneck tongue weight is in the truck bed. The axles are farther back, giving it good balance and tracking. How to load: For a straight-load gooseneck, load horses the same way as you would a two-horse gooseneck, as long as there’s a third horse. If you’re carrying only two horses, there’s enough tongue weight to allow for flexibility in your placement. If you aren’t using the front stall area for tack and hay, it’s best to have one horse in the front. To balance a slant-load goose-
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neck, load the heavier horses in the front two stalls for a heavier tongue weight. You might have to remove a divider. If so, keep the horse forward of the axles. • Four-horse gooseneck. Configuration: The larger the trailer, the more likely horse placement won’t affect the balance. A center-load, head-to-head trailer has two front-facing stalls in the rear and two rear-facing stalls in the front. A slant-load model is designed so that one horse is slightly behind the axles, one is over the axles, and the two front horses are in front of the axles. How to load: With two horses, carry one in the rear on the roadside and one in the front on the driver’s side. With three horses, it depends on your tow vehicle’s capacity. It’s best to load two horses in the front, but if you have two in the rear, the trailer won’t be unstable or unsafe. To balance a slant-load model with two horses, load them in the second and third stalls. For three horses, the front three stalls would be best. — Tom Scheve and Neva Kittrell Scheve; Equispirit.com Summer 2019
------------HANDYCHECKLIST------------
Equine-Travel First-Aid Kit Here’s a list of must-have items for your equine-travel first-aid kit. By Shawn Hamilton with Laurel Gould Photos by CLIXPHOTO.COM When traveling with your horse, there are a number of items that your first-aid kit should always contain. Here, we’ll first supply you with a few kit tips. Then we’ll provide a checklist of items to include in your travel first-aid kit. Important: If your horse suffers an illness or injury at home or on the road, call a veterinarian immediately, and follow his or her advice.
Kit Tips Place first-aid items in a lightweight, sealable, moisture-proof container, such as a plastic or metal toolkit or fishing tackle box. Look for a bright, easy-to-find color. Write “FIRST AID” on the top and sides of the kit with a permanent marker. Keep the kit in an easily accessible spot; retrieving the kit from a locked truck or trailer will waste valuable time. Inside the kit, use zip-close, see-through bags to keep individual items dry, organized, and easily visible.
First-Aid Checklist ■ Pen and paper. Use to jot down instructions from the vet-
Top: Place the first-aid items in a lightweight, sealable, moisture-proof container, such as a plastic or metal toolkit or fishing tackle box. Bottom: Keep your first-aid kit organized so you’ll be able to quickly find items in an emergency. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
erinarian, write down your horse’s vital signs, and list phone numbers you may need to call in an emergency. ■ Blindfold. Use to cover your horse’s eyes when giving injections, or for any other situations that might cause him to panic. ■ Digital equine thermometer. Attach a string on the end of the thermometer for easy removal. ■ Vaseline or other lubricant. Use when inserting the thermometer. ■ Stethoscope. Use to take your horse’s heart rate and to listen to his gut sounds to take vital signs and help detect possible colic. ■ Bach Rescue Remedy Pet. Use this herbal calming remedy for trailering anxiety or overall excitement. After you use this remedy, you can ride or show directly after consumption. ■ Sterile gloves. Use to protect yourself from transfer of infection when treating your horse’s wounds. ■ Hand sanitizer. Use before and after you give your horse first-aid, even if you wear gloves, as extra protection against infection.
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■ Alcohol wipes. Use for cleaning and sterilizing a wound. ■ Sterile gauze. Use to apply pressure and to provide a wound barrier under a wrap. ■ Sanitary napkins/diapers. Use as a sterile, compact bandage to cover an injury, apply pressure, and where absorption is necessary. Use to absorb excessive blood. If necessary, layer the pads/diapers, and cover with Vetrap. ■ Poultice pads. Pads with built-in poultice are small and convenient; just add water. Use on stone bruises, abscess, etc., to draw out heat. Also use poultice pads to cushion and cool feet and legs. ■ VetRap™. Use this equine bandaging tape for all types of bandaging. It’s compact, stretchable, and sticks to itself. ■ Electrical tape. Use to secure a wrap; electrical tape is more elastic than duct tape and provides a little give. Electrical tape is also easy to apply, compact for traveling, and sticks to itself even in cold weather. ■ Duct tape. Used for wrapping where a stronger hold and waterproofing is necessary, such as for a poultice or foot wrap for an abscess. Use to cover and protect VetRap. ■ Betadine or Hibitane scrub. Look for portable sample sizes in which the ointment is pre-applied. The scrub brush and ointment come in one unit; use for debriding a wound and removing dead tissue. ■ First-aid cream. Use any type of antibacterial wound cream to promote healing and protect the wound from outside infection. ■ Zinc oxide. Use for sunburns and scratches. ■ Eye ointment. Use for eye wounds. Use a nonsteroidal ointment if you’re not sure whether the eye has been scratched. ■ Fly ointment. Apply around a treated wound to protect it from flies. Use an ointment formulated for wounds. ■ Cold packs. Use to reduce swelling. Small, soft-sided packs will fit into your travel kit. ■ Coarse salt. Use to soak a hoof abscess. ■ Hoof pick. Use a folding one that fits in your pocket or saddlebag. Use it to pick out stones and debris from your horse’s hooves.
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
■ Small flashlight. Use to check areas that might be dark and difficult to see, such as in-between your horse’s legs, or inside his mouth. ■ Scissors. Use round-ended surgical scissors with no sharp points to cut tape and wrap. ■ Tweezers. Use to remove splinters, stingers, and thorns. ■ Wire cutters. Use to cut your horse out of wire. ■ Sharp knife. Use to cut your horse out if his halter. Choose a folding pocket knife designed for traveling with a blade sharp enough to cut rope and leather. ■ Tick remover. Include if you’ll be riding in an area where ticks are found. ■ NSAIDs (optional). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include flunixin meglumine (brand name Banamine) and phenylbutazone (brand name Butazolidin). Obtain and administer these prescription drugs only under the supervision of your veterinarian.
Use VetRap to provide coverage for all types of bandaging. It’s compact, stretchable, and sticks to itself.
Use duct tape to cover and protect VetRap and to hold on a poultice or foot wrap.
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------------SAFETRAVELS-----------
Emergency!
Here’s what to do— and the supplies to keep on hand—if you experience a trailering emergency. By Rebecca Gimenez, PhD
Do you know what to do in the event of a trailering emergency? Here are emergency-response guidelines and a list of emergency supplies to keep on hand. Shown is an actual trailer wreck in North Carolina. PHOTO BY REBECCA GIMENEZ
In an emergency, your job is to remain calm, call for help, increase your rig’s visibility, and assess the situation as you wait for trained emergency responders to arrive. In this training scenario, a trailer has been flipped onto its roof. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
Do you know what to do in the event of a trailering emergency? Do you have the right supplies on hand? Here, I’ll give you my emergency-response guidelines. Then I’ll list the emergency supplies to keep handy so you’ll be able to respond safely and appropriately to a roadside emergency in the minutes it takes for help to arrive.
Emergency Response
PHOTO BY REBECCA GIMENEZ
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Your trailer doesn’t have to come loose or to turn over to have a large animal rescue emergency with your horse. A high percentage of serious injuries are incurred during more minor trailer incidents. During trailering, horses can get their heads and legs ensnared in windows, between tires, under the trailer wall, or in their own tie ropes. >> Summer 2019
They get their bodies trapped over the breast or butt bar, or end up upside down on the floor, hanging by their halters. In large animal emergency rescue training, I emphasize to emergency responders that no one should be allowed inside a horse trailer for any reason, especially one flipped on its side or roof with terrified, injured animals inside. This includes owners, bystanders, and veterinarians who may wish to go into that confined space to save the horses. It’s better to wait for trained emergency responders, such as firefighters, to arrive at the scene. They’ll perform an external rescue using tools to extricate the animals. Your job is to remain calm, call 911 then USRider for help, increase your rig’s visibility, and assess the situation. By performing these basic response techniques, you can be extremely useful during an emergency and can actually learn to save your own horse. On the side of the road, responders will be more worried about your safety than that of your horse—and for good reason. This is a very dangerous situation to be in as traffic rushes by. Most horses survive trailer wrecks amazingly well if they stay inside the trailer and avoid being ejected. They tend to injure themselves attempting to stand up, which is why I recommend using a breakaway tie strap.
PHOTO BY REBECCA GIMENEZ
Emergency Supplies Here are the emergency supplies I recommend you keep handy whenever you trailer your horse. Only enter your trailer to help your horse if your trailer is upright, intact, and safe, and your horse is calm. Extinguish any fires if you can do so safely. • Cellphone. Charge your cellphone fully before you leave, and pack a charger. Consider setting up a mobile hotspot, so you can get service via the Internet even when you can’t get cell-phone service. Check with your mobile-service provider for details • Eight to ten emergency flares. Flares help others see your rig when you’re stopped for an issue or accident. Place at least three flares to get attention and prevent further tragedy. Place one flare behind your rig. Then walk at least 100 steps (300 feet) down the road behind you to place another flare, then halfway back to place a third flare. Placing one flare directly behind your rig isn’t enough, especially on interstates and high-speed roads, or if you’re in a hard-to-see area, such as a tight curve. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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PHOTO BY REBECCA GIMENEZ
From top to bottom: Cones, flares and reflective triangles are designed to get the attention of other drivers so they won’t accidentally hit your stopped rig. Don a reflective vest any time you step out of your vehicle on the road, for visibility. Look for an ABC-rated fire extinguisher (Class A for trash, wood, and paper; Class B for liquids and gases; and Class C for energized electrical sources). >> Summer 2019
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
Your travel toolkit should include screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers, socket wrenches, a hammer, a fence tool, and a crowbar. • Six to eight reflector triangles or cones. Like flares, reflector triangles and cones are designed to get the attention of other drivers so they won’t accidentally hit your stopped rig. Place the triangles or cones just as you would place flares.
• Reflective vests. Keep a reflective vest in your tow vehicle’s side pockets (one on the driver-side door and one on the passenger-side door) so they’ll be handy in an emergency situation. Don a reflective vest anytime you step out of your vehicle onto the road, such as when you need to place emergency flares (or triangles or cones), change a tire, or check on a horse in your trailer. • Equine-travel first-aid kit. For what to include in your trailer first-aid kit, go to the Handy Checklist in this issue. • Human first-aid kit. Carry at least a small human first-aid kit. If you have an excellent equine first-aid kit, you might be able to combine the two and come up with a mobile kit for your trailer. Become certified in CPR so you’ll know how to respond to certain human emergencies. • Fire extinguishers. An in-trail-
Recruit a Driving Buddy The best emergency supply you can take with you on the road is a driving buddy. This person can help you drive and navigate, alert you to road hazards, keep an eye on the trailer monitor, and make necessary calls.
PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM
The best “emergency supply” you can take with you on the road is a driving buddy.
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er fire extinguisher should be at least a 5-pound model; a 10-pound model is better, if you have space. Look for an ABC-rated extinguisher (Class A for trash, wood, and paper; Class B for liquids and gases; and Class C for energized electrical sources). Keep another fire extinguisher in your tow vehicle to put out any wheel or under-hood fires. To learn how to use a fire extinguisher, go to your local fire department. • Extra halters and lead ropes. Find or buy one halter and lead rope per horse, and hang them neatly in your trailer for emergency use. Extra halters and leads also come in handy if something breaks or you find a loose horse. You can even use a lead rope as an emergency tourniquet. • Towel or blanket. Use this to cover the head of a downed horse to help keep him calm until help arrives. • Hay. Lay in an emergency supply of good-quality hay to allow trapped or extricated horses to eat and relax while you wait for assistance. • Toolkit. Include screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers, socket wrenches, a hammer, a fence tool, and a crowbar. Such tools can help you free your horse from a wire, extricate a wedged hoof, open a stuck trailer door, etc. • Hitch lock. Choose a hitch lock that fits your hitch to help prevent theft in case you have to leave your disabled rig roadside. A hitch lock is a cheap investment in the security of your assets. Tip: If you ever have to leave your trailer unattended, take a >> Summer 2019
• Duct tape. Use duct tape to cover sharp edges and to stabilize anything that moves, but shouldn’t. Use bright colors for temporary fixes to remind you to perform a permanent fix when you get home. USR
Keep a sharp, good-quality knife on your person at all times.
Use duct tape to cover sharp edges and to stabilize anything that moves, but shouldn’t.
photo before you drive away to prove that it was parked there. Then, in case it’s stolen, the police and insurance company will know what they’re looking for.) • Flashlights. In an emergency situation, a reliable light source can be lifesaving. Choose flashlights large enough to light your trailer’s interior. Cellphone flashlights are rarely sufficient for equine-travel emergencies and will run down your battery. Pack
extra batteries for all flashlights. • Knife. Keep a sharp, good-quality knife on your person at all times when traveling with your horse so you can cut him free should he become entangled in a rope. Your knife doesn’t have to be big, just sharp so it works when you need it to. Choose a folding knife for safety, in case you trip or fall.
Perfect Perfect
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.
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Summer 2019
------------ TRAILER LIKE A PRO ------------
Part I: Travel Prep Prepare for your trailer trip with these tips from top trainer/clinician Aaron Ralston. Article and Photos by Heidi Melocco
Are you ready to trailer your horse to summer horse shows or equestrian vacations? Here, top trainer/clinician Aaron Ralston will give you the steps to take to properly prepare for your trip. USRiderŽ Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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-----3-PART SERIES ----In this three-part series, top trainer/clinician Aaron Ralston teaches you how to trailer like a pro.
Choose a halter that isn’t tight but won’t come off. Your horse will wear this halter for the duration, so make sure it’s comfortable and fits well. Choose a leather or breakaway model that will break in case your horse panics and pulls back.
Part I – Summer 2019: How to prepare for travel. Part II – Fall 2019: How to teach your horse to trailer-load with ease. Part III – Winter 2020: How to load your horse into a trailer with a narrow entrance and rear tack room.
Are you ready to trailer your horse to summer horse shows or equestrian vacations? When you properly prepare for the journey, you’ll enhance on-the-road safety and help your horse step off the trailer ready to do his job. Here, top trainer/clinician Aaron Ralston will give you the steps to take to prepare for your trip. Then, he’ll tell you how to prepare your trailer and your horse. Finally, he’ll provide on-the-road pointers.
Trip Prep Advance planning before every trailer trip will help make the journey go smoothly. Here’s what to keep in mind. Plan your route. Plan your route in advance. Know where you’ll stop for breaks and overnight. Identify service stations and truck stops that have room for your rig so you can take a break and fill up. Find out where you can access water for your horse on the way. Note that in a pinch, you can fill water buckets at smaller service stations. Sources for route information include well-traveled friends, social-media groups, and the Internet. Obtain health papers. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to get the health papers you’ll need for your trip, both in transit and at your destination. You’ll likely need a current Coggins test (to show your horse is negative for equine infectious anemia), as well as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (also called a health certificate). USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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Consider supplements. Ask your vet which electrolytes and/or probiotics might be helpful to give your horse before a long trailer ride. Electrolytes replace salts lost in sweat. Paste-format electrolytes are easy to administer and help you know that your horse received the right dosage. Probiotics feed your horse’s intestinal flora, enhancing gut health. Gather your gear. Think through what gear you’ll need for your trip (including a muck bucket and fork). Make a list, and put it in a hanging folder in your trailer’s tack room. (For a list of emergency supplies you need to keep on hand, go to Safe Travels in this issue.)
Ask your vet which electrolytes or probiotics might be helpful to give your horse before a long trailer ride. Electrolytes replace salts lost in sweat. Summer 2019
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Trailer Prep
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4 1. Before every trip, check the condition and pressure on all trailer, truck, and spare tires. 2. In warm weather, safely open all windows and vents. Be sure protective bars are in place so that horses can’t put their heads out through the windows. 3. If you have a slantload trailer, open the slants, and secure them in the open position so the horses can load into the trailer easily with the widest possible alleyway. 4. Load mangers or hay bags with hay so the horses can eat and relax as soon as they’re loaded. Make sure you have enough feed and water to last your entire trip, or know where you’ll buy more feed.
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
Don’t be tempted to skip over these vital trailer-prep steps, even if you trailer often. Here’s what the pros do before each trailer trip. Check moving parts. Walk around and through your trailer to make sure that all moving parts are working well. Check for damage. Inside your trailer, check for any damage, and make sure all parts are smooth and won’t cause an injury. Check tires. Check the condition and pressure on all trailer, truck, and spare tires. Check lights. Make sure all lights are in working order. Check closures. Walk around your trailer, and check all latches and window closures. Place a clip or strap in the doors to make sure they can’t open when you’re on the road. Install a trailer monitor. A trailer monitor helps you ensure that the horses inside your trailer are staying calm and in position. Install a trailer fan. Fans designed for trailering can help keep the temperature down on hot days. They provide a breeze even when you’re stopped for a break or trailering through traffic. Put down shavings. Put down shavings so the trailer flooring or mats won’t get slick if your horse urinates or passes manure. When it’s cold, shavings can help to keep your horse from slipping on ice formed from frozen urine. And if manure freezes on bare mats, it’s tough to clean. Open the windows. In warm weather, safely open all windows and vents. Be sure protective bars are in place so that horses can’t put their heads out through the windows. Horses give off an enormous amount of body heat. An empty trailer might feel cool, but will feel much warmer after the horses are loaded. Keep the windows open unless it’s very cold out, and check the temperature with a digital thermometer after the horses are loaded. Open the slants. If you have a slant-load trailer, open the slants, and secure them in the open position so the horses can load into the trailer easily with the widest possible alleyway. Load in hay. Load mangers or hay bags with hay so the horses can eat and relax as soon as they’re loaded. Make sure you have enough feed and water to last your entire trip, or know where you’ll buy more feed.
Horse Prep Once your trailer is ready, prepare your horse for the trailer trip. Choose a halter. Choose a halter that isn’t tight but won’t come off. Your horse will wear this halter for the duration, so make sure it’s comfortable and fits well. Choose a leather or breakaway model that will break in case your horse panics and pulls back. Perform ground work. If your horse is new to trailering or tends to be anxious during the trailering process, perform ground >>
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work even before you apply leg wraps. Ground work done well will help get his attention onto you instead of on his current location. Send him in a small circle around you by holding up the lead line in the direction you want him to go. Gently swing the excess lead to drive him away. Pay attention to his ears and where he’s looking. Ask him to change directions on cue. Make sure he’s thinking and trying to do what you want him to do. When he’s focusing on your requests, he’s thinking and processing, and he’ll be ready to stand still for leg wrapping. Apply leg wraps. Standing wraps support your horse’s legs during long trailering trips. If he’s in heavy training and heading to a competition, providing leg support is a must. Horses build up lactic acid in their muscles when they stand still. Adding a wrap can help just like a compression sock helps humans when traveling long distance. Travel when it’s cool to avoid overheating your horse. (For how to apply a standing wrap, see the Fall 2018 issue of USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion.) Load up. Choose the order you’ll load your horses into the trailer. Consider putting horses that are buddies close together and know who in your herd needs to be separated. If your trailer has stalls with different sizes, know what horse needs more space (or reserve the room for your favorite mount). If there’s a stall over the wheels, it may be shorter than other compartments, so put your smaller horses there. (For how to load for stability, go to Skill Set in this issue.)
On the Road If it’s hot, consider stopping at least every three hours. Offer water to your horse at every stop. Not all horses will drink every time, but make sure your horse has taken a drink every six hours. Top trainer Aaron Ralston of Silt, Colorado, trailers from the mountains to the plains for performance horse shows. Ralston has earned reining, working cow horse, and cutting championship titles, and earned team gold in the 2006 World Equestrian Games. He’s hosted RFD-TV’s The Ride and worked with NBC Sports to analyze the 2010 WEG. Ralston now coaches non-pro and youth riders, and conducts clinics worldwide. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
Top: If your horse is new to trailering or tends to be anxious during the trailering process, first perform ground work. Send him in a small circle around you by holding up the lead line in the direction you want him to go. Bottom: If your horse is in heavy training and heading to a competition, providing leg support is a must. Travel when it’s cool to avoid overheating him. Water your horse before you feed him. Often, horses won’t drink after they’re presented with hay so only load up the mangers or hay bags after you’ve offered water. If your trailer has dropdown windows, you can offer a small water bucket through the window. To be sure that all is working well, plan your first stop just a mile or two down the road. When you stop, get out, check all the lights and latches, and double-check the in-trailer temperature and window configurations for optimal comfort. USR Heidi Melocco is a riding instructor, photographer, and writer based in Mead, Colorado. We thank our equine model, Bud Lyte, a 4-year-old Quarter Horse stallion raised at Ralston Ranch. The youngster recently won the Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association’s Open Novice Derby and was named the Circuit Open and Intermediate Hackamore Champion.
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------------YOURHEALTHYHORSE------------
10 Tips for Hot Trips Learn what it takes to keep your horse safe on the road when temperatures soar. By Barb Crabbe, DVM
Here’s how to minimize the risks of hot-weather travel to ensure that your horse is safe and that he arrives in top-notch form when it really counts. An important show, a destination trail ride, a permanent move that involves transporting your horses—whatever the reason for the ride, you and your horse are facing a road trip. How can you minimize the risks of hot-weather travel to ensure that your horse is safe and that he arrives in top-notch form when it really counts? You’re smart to ask, because trailering horses is always risky. Every time you load a horse in that little metal box, close the doors, and head down the road, he could stress out, hurt himself, or end up sick. And when temperatures soar, the risks increase. Here, I’ll explain the added risks of hot-weather travel so you’ll understand what you and your horse are up against when you travel in the heat. Then, I’ll give you 10 time-tested tips to help you keep him safe. >> USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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Oh So Hot To help you understand the risks, let’s start by looking at the four basic mechanisms that help your horse cool down—and how those cooling strategies are compromised when he’s locked in a box. 1. Convection: Heat (thermal energy) is carried away from your horse’s body as air flows over his skin, as in response to a cool breeze or fan. Trailering challenge: Often, airflow in a horse trailer is severely limited, especially if it’s standing still (picture a breakdown or long wait in traffic). If there’s no air movement, your horse’s ability to use convection to cool is completely lost. 2. Radiation: Heat is lost into the environment because of a difference in temperature between your horse’s body and the surrounding air. Trailering challenge: When you load your horse into your trailer, his body heat goes no farther than the trailer walls. Simply put, there’s nowhere for the heat to go. With other horses in the trailer, this problem just gets multiplied. 3. Evaporation: Heat is lost when liquid (sweat) is converted into
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
Know exactly where you’re going, and plot the coolest, most efficient route to get there. a vapor. Sweating is your horse’s most important cooling strategy. Trailering challenge: Have you ever unloaded your horse on a hot day, only to discover that the interior of your trailer feels a little like a sauna? Your horse’s sweat is trapped in that air, and when the air is filled with moisture, your horse stays wet. Evaporation can’t help to keep him cool. 4. Conduction: Your horse’s warm body comes into contact with something cooler, such as a spray of cold water or an ice bag. The heat then conducts (transfers) to the cooler object.
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
Often, airflow in a horse trailer is severely limited, especially if the trailer is standing still, such as during a breakdown. If there’s no air movement, your horse’s ability to cool is compromised. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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Trailering challenge: Unfortunately, the inside of your trailer is likely to be hot, and hot divider walls won’t help cool your horse down.
Cool-Down Tips What can you do to ensure that your horse can make the most of his basic cooling mechanisms? Employ the following time-tested tips. 1. Plan ahead. Know exactly where you’re going, and plot the coolest, most efficient route to get there. Check transportation websites and apps for slowdowns and locations of detours and delays. If you’re planning overnight stays, download the directions before you leave. Getting stuck or lost on the way to your horse’s “hotel” means extra time in the trailer—and the less time he spends in the trailer the better, especially when it’s hot. 2. Prepare your paperwork. Have the appropriate travel papers in hand before you leave for your trip. Few things are worse than arriving at a border crossing, only to find out you have to wait in the heat for the local vet to arrive and inspect your horse before you can continue down the road. Call your veterinarian well in advance to find >> Summer 2019
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
On hot days, open every barred and screened vents and trailer windows to maximize ventilation.
out what you need, and make sure it’s all in order before you leave. 3. Leave early. The time of day you choose to travel can really make a difference so plan to get an early start! Load up, and hit the road in the wee hours of the morning, when it’s nice and cool. Depending on your destination, try to plan your travel schedule so you’ll be hauling through the hottest areas when it’s cool and resting (with your horse safely unloaded) when it’s hot. 4. Ditch the blankets. Resist the temptation to wrap your horse in clothing before you load up. Naked is best! Remove blankets, coolers, and even scrims or “anti-sweat” sheets. If it’s very hot and he’s an experienced, stable traveler, you may even be able to forego protective boots or bandages on his
Heat Stress 911 Your horse might overheat in spite of your best efforts. If he seems weak or less responsive than normal, unload him, and check him out. The following signs mean he could be at risk of life-threatening heat exhaustion. (For videos on how to take your horse’s vital signs, click here.) • Rectal temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. • Rapid, shallow breathing, with a respiratory rate higher than 30 breaths per minute. • Heart rate higher than 60 beats per minute that doesn’t decrease to normal (40 beats per minute) within 10 minutes of unloading. • Dark-pink mucous membranes. • Entire body is covered in sweat, with small veins popping out under his skin. If you see any of these signs, take aggressive measures to cool your horse down. • Take your horse to a shaded area, ideally where there’s a breeze. • Remove any blankets, leg bandages, or head bumper. • Sponge or hose him down with the coldest water you can find. Use ice, if available. Hose him off, scrape off the water, then hose again. By scraping away the water that heats up on his body surface and replacing it with cold, you’ll maximize his heat loss via conduction.
• After you’ve hosed him multiple times, apply rubbing alcohol over his neck and chest and the large muscles of his hindquarters. Alcohol evaporates more rapidly than water, allowing maximum heat loss via evaporation. • Offer him fresh, cold water to drink. • Monitor his vital signs every 10 minutes. If they don’t show improvement within 20 minutes, call a veterinarian for help.
PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM
If you see any signs of heat stress, take aggressive measures to cool your horse down. Lead him to the shade, remove any gear, and sponge or hose him down with the coldest water you can find.
>> USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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legs. The more skin that’s exposed to the air, the better off he’ll be. 5. Open up. Open every possible vent and trailer window (those with bars or screens) to maximize ventilation. Air movement is necessary for your horse to cool via convection. And by allowing the wet, hot air within the trailer to be exchanged with the cooler air outside, you’ll help your horse use radiation and evaporation more effectively. 6. Pre-load fluids. Preventing dehydration is just as important as keeping your horse cool when hauling in the heat. He needs plenty of fluid in his system to keep his cooling mechanisms functioning well. To help him load up on moisture, consider giving him soaked hay, bran mashes, soggy beet pulp, or other wet feed sources for several days before you leave. If he’s notoriously bad about drinking on the road, you might even ask your veterinarian about administering fluids via a nasogastric tube or intravenous catheter right before you leave. 7. Boost electrolytes. Your horse loses electrolytes (a medical/scientific term for “salts”) when he sweats, and his electrolyte balance is important for his fluid balance and bodily functions. If you don’t administer electrolytes on a regular basis, consider adding them to your horse’s feed or water beginning five to seven days before you hit the road. If you add electrolytes to his water, make sure to provide fresh non-electrolyte water as well; he might refuse to drink electrolyte water. And don’t make the mistake of just giving your horse a dose of electrolytes right before you leave. He needs time to drink enough water to balance what you give;
Cool-Down Kit ■ Water from home ■ Water flavoring ■ Water buckets ■ Horse sponge ■ Scraper ■ Electrolytes ■ Digital thermometer ■ Stethoscope ■ Rubbing alcohol
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
otherwise, the electrolytes can actually cause him to become more dehydrated by drawing fluids out of his blood stream and into his intestinal tract. To make your own, mix three parts sodium chloride (normal table salt) with one part potassium chloride (“lite salt”), and give your horse two to four tablespoons per day. 8. Carry familiar water. Nothing is more stressful than an overheated horse that won’t drink. And you know what they say about leading a horse to water! If your horse is a fussy drinker, he might refuse to drink “funny tasting” water on the road. To circumvent this, carry plenty of familiar water from home. You also can consider adding a small amount of flavoring (such packaged lemonade or apple-juice
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concentrate) to his at-home water source for several weeks before you leave, and use it on the road. This will allow you to mask unfamiliar flavors and encourage him to drink. 9. Soak his hay. If you’re going to provide hay while on the road, consider soaking it to provide extra moisture. Not only will this help keep your horse hydrated it’ll also minimize dust and help protect him against irritation to his respiratory tract that can also threaten his health when hauling. If he won’t eat hay, a twice-daily mash or ration of soaked beet pulp could also help. 10. Arrive early. Research has shown that your horse is likely to lose as much as a pound of bodyweight per hour during travel— even in ideal circumstances. That loss is likely to be more when it’s hot. To ensure that your horse is at the top of his game come competition time, plan to arrive at the venue with enough time to allow him to recover from his travels. As a rule of thumb, if your journey is 15 hours or longer, allow a minimum of three days to recover. USR Barb Crabbe, DVM, treats performance horses and other equine patients at her 32-acre veterinary facility, Pacific Crest Sporthorse, located in Oregon City, Oregon. She’s the author of The Comprehensive Guide to Equine Veterinary Medicine(Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.). This article originally appeared in Horse&Rider, a sister publication of USRider Equestrian Traveler’s Companion. For subscription information, go to www.horseandrider. com. Summer 2019
------------ USRIDERMEMBERSTORY------------
Tire Troubles
When this equestrian traveler experienced multiple tire blowouts, she got back on the road with the help of USRider. By Kerin Stewart
“I cannot say enough great things about the folks at USRider,” says Kerin Stewart. “They’ll not only help with flat tires, but they’ll also tow your entire rig and make arrangements for your horses.”
“I arranged to meet the mobile tire guy off the interstate, and he changed out all four spares,” says Kerin Stewart of the help she received from USRider. “What a huge relief!” USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
I try to take one big trip per year with my horses. One year, my son and I traveled with friends from Loxahatchee, Florida, to two scenic areas in Georgia: Hard Labor in Rutledge; and Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain. We spent five days in each place. On this trip, I experience my first-ever tire blowout. What an experience! I was traveling up I-95 in a construction zone with concrete barriers on both sides. Finally, a sign announced the end of the construction. As I changed lanes, I checked my mirror then saw my trailer tire blow. Thankfully, no one was next to me. I called my friends and told them to get off at the next exit. Luckily, we were able to get right off the interstate and pull into a truck stop where my friends helped me change the tire. With no other spare, I knew I had to replace the replacement tire right away. However, the truck stop didn’t carry the right size, so we resumed our travel up the interstate. Fortunately, I’m a Member of USRider. While I drove, my friend called USRider so I could keep both hands on the wheel. USRider was able to locate a new tire just two exits up from our location. We were off again in no time! >>
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Kerin Stewart and her son, Michael, on a trail ride. “For this trip, we traveled from South Florida up to the panhandle—a long drive,” says Stewart. On the trip, her trailer experienced four tire blowouts.
Long Road Trip The following year, I planned a camping trip with my son, Michael, who’s legally blind. We’d be meeting up with our friends Todd and Cindy, and their grandson, Christian. For this trip, we’d travel from South Florida up to the panhandle. I bought a trailer tire to use as a second spare because of the blowout the previous year. I bought the tire used, but it was better than nothing. I’d intended to buy a new tire as soon as I could. Michael and I drove from Palm Beach County up the Florida turnpike to meet our friends in Wildwood. From there, we went to our first stop, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. We stayed there one night then headed off to the Florida Caverns the next afternoon, about four hours away. Then we went on to Blackwater River State Forest for five days. Blackwater is on the Florida/Alabama state line, about 10 hours from my home in Palm Beach County.
Blowout Times Four Early in the morning, we packed
Kerin Stewart enjoys trail-riding and horse-camping adventures in the Southeast. Here, Stewart gives her account of roadside trailer breakdowns while on two separate trips.
up our two trailers and started for home. We were on the road for about an hour when the driver’s-side trailer tire blew. Luckily, my friends are like a small pit crew! They carry everything—a compressor, an air gun, two spare tires, and anything else you can think of. They changed the tire, and we were back on the road within 15 minutes. About an hour later...bam! The same tire blew out again. Todd and Cindy again went to work changing the tire. Another hour, another blowout! It was getting late, because we had to drive much slower. So we stopped for something to eat, and to let nerves settle and the horses rest. By then, I’d decided to stop for the night. But when the fourth tire blew, I just about lost it. There were no spare tires, and we were approaching the area where we’d part ways with our friends. It was time to call for help.
A Call for Help It was after 5 p.m. on a Saturday when I placed a call to USRider, but I knew I needed to buy a tire
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that matched the others. Glen, USRider’s Member Care Specialist, picked up the phone right away. Feeling thankful, I asked him if he could try to find the right size and type of tire that I needed. Within minutes, Glen called to tell me he found as many tires as I needed, and that the mobile tire guy would meet me where I was. This was unbelievable! I arranged to meet the mobile tire guy off the interstate, and he changed out all four spares. What a huge relief! It made me feel so much better knowing that my friends and I would be able to make it safely home, with spares, if needed. I cannot say enough great things about the folks at USRider. They’ll not only help with flat tires, but they’ll also tow your entire rig and make arrangements for your horses. If you travel, there’s no better peace of mind than knowing you can pick up the phone and call them! I don’t know where my riding adventures will take me next, but I promise my USRider membership card will be there! USR Summer 2019
------------ROADGEAR------------
Summer Essentials Top products for the equestrian traveler.
Collapsible Cone
PHOTOS BY HEIDI MELOCCO
The Eurow Safety lighted collapsible traffic safety cone is a classic traffic safety device with modern upgrades to ensure the highest level and quality of roadside safety. The 17-inch-high, bright-orange cone features a reflective stripe and an internal light for increased roadside visibility and safety. The internal light-emitting diode (LED) can be set to steady or flashing. The fully extended cone is visible from up to 800 feet away and collapses down to 2.5 inches for easy storage.
Water To Go The insulated TrailMax 500 Series Water Pocket with Stainless-Steel Bottle is a convenient water carrier on the trail and on the road. The tote features closed-cell foam, a nylon liner, and a drawstring top. The front pocket provides a place to store your keys, a cellphone, or a snack. The one-liter, stainless-steel water bottle is made from high-quality, food-grade, stainless-steel free of BPA and other toxins. The wide-mouth design fits most water filters. The tote attaches to Western and endurance saddles.
Compact Water Caddy Made from FDA-approved plastic, High Country Plastic’s 25-gallon water caddy provides safe drinking water for your traveling horse. The slim, triangular design allows the container to fit neatly in a corner of your trailer, saving valuable trailer space. The caddy measures 56 inches tall by 14.5 inches wide and can is equipped with a fill cap, pressure vent, threaded ball valve, and clear vertical strip to gauge the water level.
Hoof Rasp Here’s a handy item to take with you on your equestrian travels. The Original RidersRasp® from Weaver Leather is designed specifically for horse owners to sustain and support hoof balance, soundness, and overall condition between trims. A replaceable rasp is made for rounding, not removing, the hoof wall. Shown is top trainer Stacy Westfall demonstrating the RidersRasp in use. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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------------ 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 Partners. With so many discounts, you can easily save the cost of your annual membership fee, and more! This issue, we spotlight a notable horse park and three hotels in the Travel category. For more information on each of these destinations, and for more Member discounts, click here.
Kentucky Horse Park Plan to visit the Kentucky Horse Park whenever you pass through scenic Central Kentucky or participate in an equestrian event here. Peruse the International Museum of the Horse. Attend special equine exhibitions. View striking bronze statues of such equine legends as Man o’ War, Secretariat, Alysheba, Bask++, and Misty of Chincoteague. USRider Members receive a discount on general admission and the American Saddlebred Museum. Present your USRider membership card at the gate.
Drury Hotels The Drury Family has provided travelers with clean rooms, friendly service, and a good value for more than 40 years. Family ownership makes Drury Hotels distinctly different, and assures quality and consistency with every stay. Drury offers its guests many free extras, including free Hot Breakfast, the 5:30 Kickback® with free hot food and cold beverages, free wireless Internet access, and more. USRider Members are eligible for discounted room rates.
PHOTO BY RENE E. RILEY
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts An entirely new level of comfort and productivity—plus extra savings—is now available worldwide at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. Through The Hyatt Company Travel Program, USRider Members receive a 10% discount off the best available rate at Park Hyatt™, Grand Hyatt™ Hotels, Hyatt Regency™ Hotels, Hyatt Place™, and Hyatt Summerfield Suites™.
Ramada Ramada® now offers nearly 1,000 locations worldwide. Its four tiers of service are: Ramada Plazas, designed for discerning travelers with a contemporary décor; Ramada Inns, offering high-quality hotels for the mid-market traveler; Ramada Hotels, in Canada, located near city centers or airports; and Ramada Limiteds, featuring high-quality accommodations at value prices. As a USRider Member, you’ll receive up to 15% off the best available rate at participating locations. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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There are approximately 170,000 unwanted horses in the United States. Through A Home for Every Horse and the over 600 rescues involved, horses are given a second chance.
Meet Cactus...
Cactus was one of 59 malnourished and mistreated horses rescued from hardship and brought to Colorado in 2015. Thanks to the help of rescue workers and volunteers, Cactus and his friends all were given a second chance at a happy life. Cactus is now thriving in his new home, where not only is he a great riding horse, but a wonderful new member to their family.
Horses in transition, like Cactus, deserve a second chance. FIND OUT HOW TO
Heart the Cause Today WWW.AHOMEFOREVERYHORSE.COM
A Home For Every Horse is brought to you by the Equine Network and sponsored by: ÂŽ
------------ GETAWAYS------------
Oh, Canada! Ride and camp in the pristine beauty of British Columbia’s Shuswap Country. Article and Photos by Kent and Charlene Krone
In the heart of Skimikin Lake Equestrian Camp is Skimikin Lake, a sparkling emerald. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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Kent and Charlene Krone ride their Missouri Fox Trotters, Cowboy and Nate, at Skimikin Lake. North of the border, a wondrous land awaits adventurous horsemen. An area known as the Shuswap Country, or simply “the Shuswap,” is filled with beautiful trails and user-friendly horse camps. The area, which refers to the environs of Shuswap Lake, is in south-central British Columbia, near the town of Salmon Arm. It’s an excellent destination if you enjoy nature, friendly locals, and an
Charlene Krone and Ian Hutcheon on the trail out of Skimikin Lake Equestrian Camp.
impressive array of activities and wineries. One recent summer, our good friends Ian Hutcheon and Colleen McMechan invited us up to Canada to go riding. Ian is a former professor of geology at the University of Calgary; Colleen also has a degree in geology, and is a multifaceted bundle of energy and talent. After retiring, Ian and Colleen established an expansive cattle ranch in
From left to right: Colleen McMechan, Ian Hutcheon, and Charlene Krone on the Skimikin Lake trails. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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southern British Columbia. Without hesitation, we hitched up our living-quarters trailer and took our Missouri Fox Trotters, Cowboy and Nate, to the Shuswap to camp and trail ride. (For guidelines on importing your horse to Canada for a temporary stay, click here.)
Lake Camping We trailered to the town of Salmon Arm, in the heart of the Shuswap, then on to Skimikin Lake Equestrian Camp. To reach Skimikin Lake, take the Trans Canada Highway west from Salmon Arm for about nine miles. Some of the highways to Skimikin Lake Equestrian Camp are narrow, winding, and have miniscule shoulders to accommodate any wayward vehicle. Upon arriving, camp caretakers Rick and Jean Sanford and their daughter, Linda, were particularly kind and helpful. The equestrian campground offers 21 corrals, 48 campsites, and two trailheads. Most campsites >> Summer 2019
Peace of Mind Planning to trailer your horse to Canada? As a USRider Member, you have an extensive network of dedicated service professionals ready to assist you throughout the Great White North.
have two corrals, a fire ring, and a picnic table. Our horses shared a large water tank. This shaded camp, fringed with fir and cottonwood trees, is an ideal place to relax on a hot summer days. In the heart of this delightful setting is Skimikin Lake, a sparkling emerald. Early the next morning, we took our coffee down to the lake. We quietly watched stately cottonwood trees admire themselves in nature’s mirror. Sunlight stretched and yawned as it rose and relaxed across the cool, still water. Our morning silence was broken only by the haunting call of a loon and the raucous honking of Canada geese as they skimmed the water, looking for morning snacks. An osprey dive-bombed for fish. A duck family waddled by. A majestic eagle perched on a snag.
Lake Ride
From top to bottom: The border crossing going into Canada from the United States at Midway, British Columbia. Kent and Charlene Krone’s camp at Skimikin Lake Equestrian Camp. Skimikin Lake attracts abundant wildlife to the area. Wild birds include Canada geese and bald eagles.
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
Competitive trail riders, including endurance riders, hold competitions here. For a guide to riding trails in the area, visit the Horse Council British Columbia Online. Map in hand, we rode across the road to Trail #2, then took Trail #16 over to Trail #22. Ian and Colleen rode their trusty ranch horses—Junior, a Paint Horse gelding, and Gaylord, a Quarter Horse gelding. The trails are mostly abandoned logging roads that wind uphill and through coniferous forest. It’s easy riding, even though we gained 1,700 feet in elevation. We stopped to admire intermittent views of Shuswap Lake by Salmon Arm. Most of the riding was in the trees, and we welcomed their shade on a hot summer day. Trail #22 intersects with Trail #32. We picnicked here then headed over to Trail #30, intending to make a loop. We came upon a private-property sign, so we backtracked our way to camp. Our ride was about 11 miles total. Another interesting riding destination is to the nearby Recline Ridge Vineyards and Winery Ltd. Take Trail #10 to Platt Rd. for a partial return loop. USR
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Horses teach us extraordinary lessons... They teach us to trust, to have compassion, to love, to fight, to hold on to hope. At Hope in the Saddle, our mission is to share some of the most meaningful and important stories to emerge from the equestrian world—stories of how our relationships with horses help us overcome life’s toughest challenges. What lessons has your horse taught you?
Share your story and read those of others at www.hopeinthesaddle.com THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS FOR HELPING OUR HORSES FEEL THEIR BEST SO THEY CAN HELP US FEEL OUR BEST
