Equestrian Traveler’s
COMPANION
Your Essential Horse-Trailering Resource Summer 2021
8 Great Beach Rides Keep-Cool Tips For Hot Trips H2O To Go Prepare To Evacuate
An Equine Network, LLC Publication
Equestrian Traveler’s COMPANION Summer 2021
Your Essential HorseTrailering Resource
FEATURES 8 Safe Travels
Prepare to Evacuate
12 Your Healthy Horse 10 Tips for Hot Trips
16 Hauling Hints H2O to Go
20 Getaways 8 Great Beach Rides
24 USRider Member Story Canadian Adventure
DEPARTMENTS 4 Trip Tips Expert Advice for Horse Owners
6 Skill Set Be Shipping-Boot Savvy
25 Road Gear Cruise Into Summer
26 USRider Member Benefits Tack and Equipment Discounts
28 Handy Checklist On-the-Go Feeding
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
Equine Network, LLC, is the producer of award-winning magazines, including EQUUS, Horse&Rider, Practical Horseman, and The Team Roping Journal.
2
Summer 2021
You pull over to find your engine
OVERHEATING. Never be stranded, become a USRider member today.
• Towing (vehicles & horse trailers) • Repairs
• Battery Assistance • Flat Tire Assistance • Lockout Service
• Fuel, Oil and Water Delivery • Enrollment in Winners Circle Advantage benefits
SIGN UP TODAY.
• Emergency Trip Interruption Veterinary Services • Emergency Lodging/Stabling
(800) 844-1409 • USRIDER.ORG
TripTips TRAVELTIP
Keep Him Cool & Safe
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
Once you arrive at your destination, untie your horse before opening your trailer’s rear doors to encourage him to relax and back out slowly.
In warm weather, open your trailer’s windows and vents before you load your horse, so the trailer is ventilated and as cool as possible. When you’re ready to load your horse into the trailer, make sure the rear doors or “butt bars” are secured before you tie him. If he knows there’s an opening, he may pull back and attempt to break free from the tie. Once he’s secured in a divider or with the closed door, it’s safe to tie him. You’ve dimensioned his flight response, since he has nowhere to go. If your trailer windows have safety screens, leave the windows open on the road for ventilation so he can cool down using convection. (With this cooling mechanism, heat is carried away as air flows over your horse’s skin; for more information, see “10 Tips for Hot Trips,” this issue.) Make sure your horse can’t jut his head out the window as you’re moving; road debris could seriously harm his eyes, and there’s a chance he could hit his head on another vehicle. Once you arrive at your destination, untie your horse before opening your trailer’s rear doors or the divider. This will encourage him to stay calm and relaxed, and back out slowly. —Heidi Melocco
SEASONALTIP
Prep for Rustling Rain Gear In the summer, storms tend to form quickly. You pack rain gear in case the weather suddenly changes on your travels. Is your horse used to your slicker’s sound and movement? He might balk at the sound of the crinkling fabric—the last thing you need when you’re trying to load him in the rain. And if you don your slicker while in the saddle, be aware that horses can be leery of anything swung around above them. Their survival instinct tells them to watch out for pouncing mountain lions and other predators. Before you go, accustom your horse to your rain gear. Outfit him in a halter and lead, and approach him holding your slicker. Allow him to see and smell the fabric. Crinkle and scrunch your slicker so he understands where the noise is coming from. If he remains relaxed, move closer until you can touch him all over with the rustling fabric. If at any point your horse shies or moves away, hold your ground until he relaxes. Then turn away and release USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
4
In the summer, storms tend to form quickly. Is your horse used to your rain gear’s sound and movement— or will he balk as you try to load him in the rain? the pressure. Repeat the approach and retreat until your horse is totally accepting. Next, swing the jacket over his back—just as you would if you were in the saddle. Let him know what that fabric will look like and feel like when it’s above him. —Heidi Melocco Summer 2021
HEALTHTIP
Get a Post-Fire Vet-Check
If a fire burns on or near your property, call your veterinarian immediately after the emergency situation has resolved.
Warm, dry weather can create ideal conditions for wildfires to rage out of control, especially in the western part of the country. If a fire burns on or near your property, call your veterinarian immediately after the emergency situation has resolved. Your vet may need to provide aftercare in case your horse suffers airway complications from smoke and toxic fumes. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air, as well as decomposed pollutants from the ground via their roots. Toxins released during burning (such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides) can severely damage your horse’s lungs and block the absorption of oxygen into the blood, causing asphyxiation. Also, fine particulate matter can penetrate deep into your horse’s lungs. Flames don’t necessarily need to be visible for these hazards to occur. After a fire, your horse might appear medically stable for days, then crash with severe pneumonia. —Rebecca Gimenez Husted, PhD
USRIDER MEMBERTIP
Be Cautious on Limited Access Roads On toll roads, thruways, turnpikes, and other roadways with limited access, service providers trying to render assistance to motorists can encounter delays. The operating authority on limited-access roadways often require stranded motorists to use a designated service provider for roadside assistance. Many require payment at the time of service; some accept only cash. And in many cases, only law-enforcement authorities can summon designated service providers. “This makes our job as a motor plan very difficult,” says Bill Riss, USRider general manager. “Our Members can call us to summon help on these roadways, but our options and abilities to service them are extremely limited. This means they cannot expect help to arrive with USRider’s customary quick-response time.” Long waits roadside can be especially dire when traveling with horses, which are at risk of becoming overheated, dehydrated, sick, or panicked. USRider urges its Members to exercise extra caution on limited access roads to lessen the chance of needing emergency roadside assistance. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM
The operating authority on limited-access roadways might require stranded motorists to use a designated service provider for roadside assistance, limiting the service USRider can provide. Check your route for toll roads prior to taking a trip into an unfamiliar area. Carry extra cash, stock up on water and food for your horses, and be aware that USRider is limited in the service that they can provide.
5
Summer 2021
------------ SKILLSET------------
Be Shipping-Boot Savvy To protect your horse’s legs while hauling, invest in shipping boots. They’re relatively inexpensive, they come in various sizes and shapes to fit most horses, they’re easy to apply, and they offer hoof-and-leg protection on the road. Here are five shopping tips and seven application steps.
Boot-Shopping Tips As you shop of shipping boots, consider the following. 1. Hook-and-loop closures. Boots with three large closures are easy to apply and secure them well around your horse’s legs. 2. Hoof guards. Look for boots with hoof guards, also called scuff plates or striking plates. These guards flare out along the bottom edge of the boot to cover the hoof, offering more protection. 3. Nylon linings. Choose boots with nylon linings. They’re just as warm and comfortable as ones with fleece linings, but nylon is easier to clean and doesn’t catch as much bedding and dirt. 4. The right size. Some boots come in sizes from small to large; others are sized for either ponies or horses. When you purchase shipping boots, make sure you can return them if they don’t fit your horse. 5. Easy care. Look for boots that can be hosed off for routine cleaning or that are machine washable.
Boot-Application Steps Here’s how to apply shipping boots to your horse’s legs. Step 1: Match boots to legs. First,
determine which boots go on the front legs and which go on the rear legs. The bent-looking boots are typically made for the rear legs, as they’re shaped to fit over the hocks. Step 2: Introduce your horse to a boot. Start with a front boot. Slowly introduce your horse to the boot. Allow him to see the boot, then rub it on his chest and leg. Raise up the boot so your horse can see it, and open and close the hook-and-loop closures a few times. Repeat these steps until he’s calm and accepting of the feel and sound of the boot. Step 3: Apply the left front boot. Fully open one front boot. Move the boot down to your horse’s left front leg, holding the boot open so you can place it around his leg. If he seems accepting of the boot, place it around his leg. Fasten the middle closure first, then fasten the bottom closure. Fasten the top closure last. Step 4: Apply the right front boot. Move to your horse’s right front leg, and repeat Step 3. Step 5: Lead your horse. When both front boots are on securely, lead your horse around. Don’t be surprised if he walks funny or tries to kick the boots off, just keep yourself and your horse safe while he gets used to them. Step 6: Apply the rear boots. Staying out of kicking range, repeat this process to apply the rear boots. Step 7: Load and unload. Practice loading and unloading your horse a few times so he gets used to the feel of the boots when he steps up and down —Jenny Sullivan
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
6
To protect your horse’s legs while hauling, invest in shipping boots. They’re relatively inexpensive, they come in different sizes and shapes to fit most horses, they’re easy to apply, and they offer hoof-and-leg protection on the road.
PHOTOS BY HEIDI MELOCCO
Practice loading and unloading your horse a few times so he gets used to the feel of the boots when he steps up and down.
Summer 2021
------------SAFETRAVELS-----------
Prepare to Evacuate Wildfire. Tornado. Hurricane. Flood. Earthquake. Use this expert survival guide to develop a safe escape plan in case of emergency. By Rebecca Gimenez Husted, PhD
In the event of a natural disaster, you may just have minutes to evacuate your horse, pets, and livestock, as well as your family and yourself. Take the time now to develop an evacuation plan with this expert guide.
I COURTESY OF REBECCA HUSTED GIMENEZ
If you have to turn a horse out or leave one behind during an emergency evacuation, a leg band with ownership information is a low-tech, but highly effective way to reunite with him.
n the event of a natural disaster, you may just have minutes to evacuate your horse, pets, and livestock, as well as your family and yourself. Take the time now to develop an evacuation plan. It’s your job and your responsibility to come up with a plan to take care of all living creatures on your property. And if you board someone else’s horses, the owners will look to you to be the responsible person who takes care of their animals as you would your own. Use this expert survival guide to develop a safe escape plan in case of emergency.
House/Barn Prep Record your assets. Videotape all your assets in your house and barn.
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
8
Post the video on an off-site server, such as a cloud. Microchip every horse. Ask your veterinarian to implant microchips in every horse on your property so you have proof of identification. Buy leg bands for every horse. If you have to turn a horse out or leave one behind during an emergency evacuation, a leg band with ownership information is a low-tech, but highly effective way to reunite with him. (For one online source of leg bands, click here.) Store equine records off-site. Get copies of identification, photographs, and veterinary records for every horse on your property. Put these in an offsite safe deposit box. >> Summer 2021
Set out halters. Make sure there are enough halters and lead ropes for every horse on your property. Put these in a prominent place so you can easily grab them in an emergency. Avoid synthetic halters or lead ropes; during a wildfire, they can melt, causing serious burns to horse or handler. Know equipment location. Make sure everyone in your horsehold knows the location of barnfire response equipment, such as emergency phones, hoses, water sources, fire extinguishers, and heavy-duty wire cutters. Check for hazards. Look around your facility for hazards. Make sure human and animal escape routes aren’t blocked by shipments of hay, parked cars, farm equipment, non-working doors, bedding piles, etc. Minimize damage. Consider what you can do to minimize damage. Cover pane glass with shutters if you live where a highwind event might occur. If wildfires are a threat, add a sprinkler system and passive heat detectors. Use nonflammable materials for any new builds; treat existing structures with a spray-on fire retardant. List tasks. In case you need to evacuate, list the crucial tasks specific to your barn that must be done before you leave. Include turning off the electricity, gas, and water; unplugging appliances, etc. Keep the list handy so it’s easy to find if a crisis occurs. Invest in a radio. Invest in a radio and CB with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radio capability to keep up with the progress of the storm or other event. Install weather apps on all your mobile devices. Assemble first-aid kits. Assem-
ble horse and human first-aid kits, and have them available at all times.
Emergency-Shelter Prep Keep equine records in your vehicle. For every horse on your property, compile copies of microchip identification information and veterinary records. Place these papers in your tow vehicle so you can take the horses to a local public evacuation shelter or legally cross state lines in a major evacuation. Lay in feed/water supplies. Have on hand or in your tow vehicle or trailer about three days’ supply of feed, water, medications, etc., for each horse being evacuated. Regularly refresh the feed supply. Check into overnight stabling. Find available sheltering facilities across your state. Even better, find overnight or shortterm boarding facilities, or make arrangements with a friend in another state. Save all contact information with your papers. Prepare to shelter in place. If you can’t evacuate your horse in time, have a shelter-in-place plan. Don’t leave your horse in your barn; house him in a pasture with all combustible vegetation removed or plowed under. Shelter-in-place measures are considered to be very dangerous and should only be used where there isn’t time to evacuate your horse to a safer place.
Transportation Prep Plan evacuation transportation. How many trailer spaces do you have available? If you pack that four-horse gooseneck trailer with your four horses, where will
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
9
COURTESY OF REBECCA HUSTED GIMENEZ
Make sure everyone in your horsehold knows the location of barn-fire response equipment, such as emergency phones, hoses, water sources, fire extinguishers, and heavyduty wire cutters.
COURTESY OF REBECCA HUSTED GIMENEZ
If wildfires are a threat, add a sprinkler system and passive heat detectors. Use nonflammable materials for any new builds; treat existing structures with a spray-on fire retardant.
How many trailer spaces do you have available? If you pack that four-horse gooseneck trailer with your four horses, where will you put your dogs, cats, and human family members? Would you have to make two trips to get the other four horses you own? >>
Summer 2021
Choose Wisely If there’s a weather event and an evacuation order hasn’t been issued, should you evacuate anyway? To help you decide, carefully assess inclement weather versus a real disaster. Consult your local emergency-management agencies, watch the weather channels, and keep an eye on disaster- and weather-related apps on your mobile devices. Follow breaking news on social media for up-todate information. Contact your neighbors. If you have more than two horses on your property, evacuate them very early. You don’t want to be stranded with horses in the middle of a disaster. What about inclement weather that doesn’t require humans and horses to leave the premises? Should you leave the horses in the barn or out in the pasture? In general, leave horses out in the largest, best built fenced pasture you have. Horses will find cover in a copse of trees if they need it, but normally will stand with their butts to the wind so that their hindquarter muscles will absorb any serious injury from flying debris, etc. These injuries usually heal very well. Horses trapped in barns are subject to the flying debris all around them and the high possibility of a building fire or collapse. Very few barns are built well enough to recommend keeping horses inside.
COURTESY OF REBECCA HUSTED GIMENEZ
COURTESY OF REBECCA HUSTED GIMENEZ
Left: An emergency evacuation is no time to be dealing with balky loaders. Teach all the horses on your property to load quickly and effortlessly no matter what. Right: As part of your practice drills, catch all the horses and lead them to your prearranged meeting place, or put them in the barn for a simulated hailstorm. you put your dogs, cats, and human family members? Would you have to make two trips to get the other four horses you own? Teach the horses to load. Teach all the horses on your property to load into the trailer, no matter what. Practice loading each horse alone. Practice at night, and when it’s raining, windy, dark, and generally miserable. Ready your rig. Keep your truck fueled and your trailer hitched during imminent disaster season. Park your rig so it faces your predetermined exit. Develop an escape route. Drive through every road in your neighborhood to identify escape routes. Keep in mind that officials may close off many roads to enforce the evacuation. Do you have more than one way out by the roads to safety? Keep paper maps in every vehicle for reference in an emergency, in case the internet goes down. Decide where to meet. Choose in advance a place where everyone involved in your household and horsehold will be meeting off-site, if you’re evacuated. Arrange in advance a trusted person with whom to leave messages, in case you’re unable to use your cellphone.
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
10
Perform Practice Drills Formulate an evacuation plan and post it where everyone can easily see it. Practice the plan with regular, surprise drills. Make them fun and challenging. Think back to work and school fire drills. Ask everyone in your horsehold to remain quiet and calm while following each other to a prearranged place. There, verify that everyone is safely out of your home and barn. Hold an unannounced drill every six months for an evacuation of some type that occurs in your area—fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, etc. Vary the time of day and the requirements of the drill. Practice catching all the horses and leading them to your prearranged meeting place, or putting them in the barn for a simulated hailstorm. Load up every horse in a trailer, haul out a few miles, and return. USR By Rebecca Gimenez Husted, 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 animal-rescue topics around the world and a noted equine journalist. Summer 2021
PURINA BELIEVES THERE’S ALWAYS A WAY HOME. That’s why Purina is the title sponsor of A Home For Every Horse and has donated over 800 tons of feed to help horses in need. Learn what you can do at ahomeforeveryhorse.com.
©2020 Purina Animal Nutrition LLC. All rights reserved.
------------YOURHEALTHYHORSE------------
10 Tips for Hot Trips
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
In hot weather, 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.
Planning a summer trip that involves a long haul? Learn what it takes to keep your horse safe on the road when temperatures soar. By Barb Crabbe, DVM
n important show, a destination trail ride, a permanent move that involves transporting your horse…whatever the reason for the journey, you and your horse are facing a long-haul road trip. Not only is it a long way to go, but you’ll also travel in summer weather, i.e., the hottest time of the year. 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
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
12
doors, and head down the road, he could stress out, hurt himself, or end up sick. And when temperatures soar, 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 your horse safe.
Oh So Hot To help you understand the risks, let’s start by looking at the basic mechanisms that help your horse cool down—and how those cooling strategies are compromised when he’s locked in a box. >> Summer 2021
Convection: Heat is carried away from your horse’s body as air flows over his skin, as in response to a cool breeze or fan. Often, airflow in a horse trailer is severely limited, especially if it’s standing still (picture a breakdown or other long wait on the freeway). If there’s no air movement, your horse’s ability to use convection to cool is completely lost. Radiation: Heat is lost into the environment because of a difference in temperature between your horse’s body and the surrounding air. When your horse is loaded in the 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. Evaporation: Heat is lost when liquid is converted into a “vapor” in the air; this is the mechanism that occurs when your horse sweats. Sweating is your horse’s most important cooling strategy. 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. Conduction: When your horse’s warm body comes into contact with something “cooler” (like a spray of cold water or an ice bag), the heat transfers to the cooler object. Unfortunately, the inside of a trailer is likely to be hot, and hot divider walls won’t help cool him down. Now let’s look at your horse’s own functions. When it’s hot, a number of physiologic changes occur to allow his heat-loss mechanisms to work. These changes
transfer heat from his core to his body surface, so that the heat can be lost into the environment. First, your horse’s heart rate increases, and the tiny blood vessels in his skin and the lining of his respiratory tract become enlarged. This improves blood flow to his periphery to aid heat loss via radiation, conduction, and convection. This transfer of blood flow means that blood is being shunted away from his vital organs, including his brain. Your horse may start to breathe more rapidly, or “pant,” allowing increased amounts of cooler outside air to pass by the blood vessels in his nasal passages. Finally, he’ll begin to sweat to take advantage of evaporation. When he sweats, fluid from his body will be lost. This compromises blood flow and makes it even more difficult for your horse to cool himself. A vicious cycle begins. When your horse can’t cool down, these physiologic mechanisms go into overdrive. His heart races, his breathing becomes very fast and shallow, and he sweats profusely. Eventually, he becomes dehydrated—compounded by the likelihood that he won’t drink while on the road. In severe cases, blood flow to his vital organs completely shuts down. Heat stress, or even life-threatening heat exhaustion can result.
10 Hot-Travel 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. >>
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
13
PHOTOS BY CLIXPHOTO.COM
Top: One way your horse cools down is via his convection mechanism. Heat is carried away from your horse’s body as air flows over his skin, as in response to a cool breeze or fan (shown). Often, airflow in a horse trailer is severely limited, especially if it’s standing still. Bottom: Another way your horse cools down is via evaporation. When he sweats, fluid from his body will be lost. This compromises blood flow and makes it even more difficult for your horse to cool himself. A vicious cycle begins.
Summer 2021
Heat-Stress 911 In spite of your best efforts, there’s always a chance your horse will get too hot. If he seems weak or less responsive than normal when you open the trailer door, it’s time to unload and check him out. The following signs mean he could be at risk of life-threatening heat exhaustion. • 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. What should you do if you see these PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM signs of heat stress? If your horse is experiencing heat It’s time to take agstress, sponge or hose him down gressive measures to with the coldest water you can find. cool him down. • Take him to a shaded area, ideally where there’s a breeze. • Remove any blankets, leg bandages, or head bumpers. • 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. • If you have rubbing alcohol available, apply it over his neck, chest, and the large muscles of his hindquarters after you’ve hosed him multiple times. 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.
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
14
1. Plan ahead. Know exactly where you’re going, plotting the coolest, most efficient route to get there. Check department of transportation websites for updates on construction-site detours and delays. If you’re planning overnight stays, be sure you have current directions. 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 your 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 for the local vet to arrive and inspect your horse before you can continue down the road. Oh wait, there is something that can make it worse: waiting at a border crossing when it’s very hot. Can it really happen? You bet it can. In fact, one of our Olympic team members once had to cool his heels for several hours just weeks before the Games, all because of a paperwork debacle. To avoid watching your horse bake in the trailer because of paperwork problems, call your vet well in advance to find out what you need, and make sure it’s all in order before you leave. 3. Set your alarm. The time of day you choose to travel can really make a difference—so plan to get an early start! Many seasoned long-distance haulers will 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, horses safely unloaded, when it’s hot. 4. Go naked! 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 your horse is an experienced and stable traveler, this may even be a time to forego protective boots or bandages on his legs. The more of his 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. >> Summer 2021
6. Plan a fluid pre-load. 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 vet about administering fluids via a nasogastric tube or IV 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, because many horses 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; otherwise, the electrolytes can actually cause him to become more dehydrated by drawing fluids out of his bloodstream and into his intestinal tract. Commercial electrolyte preparations are available in paste or powder form. 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.
PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
In hot weather, minimize your horse’s time in the trailer by knowing exactly where you’re going. Map out the coolest, most efficient route to get to your destination. 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) to his at-home water source for several weeks before you leave and use it once you’re on the road. This will allow you to mask unfamiliar flavors and might 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
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
15
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, a graduate of the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, owns Pacific Crest Sporthorse, an equine veterinary practice based in Beavercreek, Oregon. An avid dressage rider and competitor, she’s a frequent contributor to Dressage Today, where she is also a member of the advisory board. Dr. Crabbe is also a contributing editor to Horse&Rider. This article originally appeared in Horse&Rider; reprinted with permission. To subscribe to Horse&Rider, click here. Summer 2021
------------ HAULING HINTS------------
H2O to Go
Here’s how to meet your traveling horse’s water needs to help keep him hydrated and healthy. By Bonnie Davis PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO
>>
When horse camping, conserve hauled-in water by allowing your horse to drink along the trail. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
16
Summer 2021
Y
our traveling horse needs about 10 to 30 gallons of water per day in the summer to stay hydrated and healthy. Here, we’ll tell you how to meet your traveling horse’s water needs to help keep him hydrated and healthy.
Plan Ahead Use these planning tips when you haul your horse from his trusted water source. In the trailer. Every time you load your horse into your trailer, also pack a full water can, as well as a pail or tub your horse can drink from. On day rides. Pack one full, five-gallon water can per horse; this is usually sufficient for a day trail ride in temperate weather. Use a rectangular, heavy-duty plastic can. It’s easy to handle and weighs only about 40 pounds. (One gallon of water weighs eight pounds). Once empty, you can refill it at a nearby faucet or stream. In camp. If you’re going horse camping, your water considerations will be more extensive. Some camps will have a natural water source, but just because such a source is on a map doesn’t mean your horse will always have access to it. The banks might be too high for him manage safely, or the water might flow seasonally. Find out before you go, and haul in your own water, just in case. Note: At dry camps (those without water) the length of your stay will be limited by how much water you’ve hauled in, so plan well for an enjoyable stay.
On the Road You have several options for hauling water in your trailer; here’s a rundown.
PHOTO BY KENT & CHARLENE KRONE
Your trail horse needs about 10 to 30 gallons of water per day to stay hydrated and healthy. Buy a built-in. Built-in waterers are convenient, but you’ll need access to a faucet and hose at your destination for refill ease. Also, if you need to fill your built-in container from the top, see whether you need to move your whole rig to a water source, which can be inconvenient. Invest in containers. If you’ll need to haul water from a stream or other source, you’ll need small containers you can lift when full. One good option for overnight trips is simply to pack a sufficient number of five-gallon water cans. Quantity will depend on whether there are other water sources available, and the number of horses for which you’re responsible. Store water safely. If you have a two-horse, straight-load trailer with a tack compartment, you can slide cans of water under the saddle racks. In two-horse slant loads, position the cans against the roadside wall in the tack compartment. Or, simply set the cans in the back of your tow vehicle. You can store rectangular plastic water cans side-
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
17
by-side just about anywhere in your rig; they won’t scratch truck beds or trailer walls. Think big. To supplement your water supply on longer trips, install
PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM
Away from home, give your horse water in his own bucket; disease and parasites can lurk in common drinking areas. >> Summer 2021
PHOTOS BY KENT & CHARLENE KRONE
Left: Some horse camps will have a natural water source, but your horse might not always have access to it. Find out before you go. Right: At dry camps (those without water) the length of your stay will be limited by how much water you’ve hauled in, so plan well for an enjoyable stay. a 50-gallon plastic water container in one corner of your trailer’s tack compartment. Also pack four 5-gallon water cans and four 2½-gallon water cans. Use the 2½-gallon cans to water your horse at rest stops; it’s easy to pour water from this small can into a bucket, then refill it from the closest faucet.
Horse-Watering Tips Here’s how to give water to your horse safely and efficiently. Bring your own bucket. Give your horse water in his own bucket; disease and parasites can lurk in common drinking areas. Also, your horse might prefer to drink from a familiar container—and you’ll be able to monitor how much water he drinks each time. Make him drink. Some horses are finicky when it comes to water taste. To tempt your horse to drink unfamiliar water, add an eight-ounce can of apple juice
To tempt your horse to drink unfamiliar water, add an eight-ounce can of apple juice per one gallon of water. per one gallon of water. (Tip: Do this at home a few times before you leave to accustom him to the apple flavor.) Another technique: Blend your horse’s home water with the local water source to disguise the taste difference. Offer water in the morning, on a ride, and before and after each feeding. Pack canvas. If you’re going trail riding, tie a canvas USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
water pail to your saddle or pack. This pail will come in especially handy on federal lands, where you’re not allowed to take your horse to lakes, streams, ponds, or rivers. Make sure the pail opens wide enough for your horse to easily put his nose into it. Pack a rope. Tie a 30-foot rope to your saddle or pack. If you come upon a stream that you can’t hike right down to, simply open the canvas water pail, tie the rope to the handle, and toss it into stream. To fill, let the water carry the pail downstream, or let the pail sink. When full, pull it back up with the rope.
Water-Conservation Tips Here are some conservation tips to use while horse camping to stretch that precious water supply. Water the feed. If your horse’s feed contains water, he’ll need less water afterward. To soak baled feeds— such as oat, alfalfa, or grass hay—fill the hay net with feed, then plunge it into a tub of water. Let it sit for a few minutes, then allow it to drain into the tub to save excess water. Hang the net, and allow your horse to eat. If you have pelleted or cubed feed, simply place the feed into a feed tub, and pour about a gallon of water over it. Let it sit for a few minutes, then allow your horse to eat. Catch excess water. After giving your horse soaked forage, fill an empty feed tub about halfway with water, and set it under the haynet to catch excess water. Then place the tub in a corner of the corral. Or, place it just outside of the corral fence, where your horse has access to it, but can’t turn it over or play in it. Tap other sources. Let your horse drink from water sources along the trail or near the camp to conserve the water you’ve hauled in. USR
18
Summer 2021
OnDemand.HorseandRider.com
Sign up r o f y a d to E E R F r yo u t r i al !
NEW SERIES!
Barrel Racing Fundamentals with Shali Lord Rider Fitness with
Kelly Altschwager
PLUS: More Insights with Bud Lyon and Brad Barkemeyer
Benefits of Membership
Being an insider has its benefits. When you sign up for Horse&Rider OnDemand, you’ll receive the following perks. Weekly video releases from Brad Barkemeyer and Bud Lyon. Access to a video library pre-stocked with more than 80 clips to help with all aspects of horsemanship. A year subscription to Horse&Rider magazine. Free access to digital back issues of Horse&Rider magazine. Members-only content and offers. Plus much more!
START YOUR FREE TRIAL NOW at OnDemand.HorseandRider.com
------------ GETAWAYS ------------
8 Great Beach Rides Enjoy the sand and surf on the back of a horse with our guide to eight great beach rides. By Cate Lamm & Kara L. Stewart
Use our at-a-glance guide to eight beach-rides to choose your next coastal equestrian vacation. Experienced riders will enjoy the Willamette Coast Ride, a progressive, six-day riding adventure in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLAMETTE COAST RIDE
Have you always dreamed of riding in the sand, crashing waves thundering in your ears, and the smell of salt water and freedom in the air? Here’s an at-a-glance guide to eight beach rides. We’ll list destinations where you can ride your own horse, as well as places that will take you on a beach ride on their welltrained mounts. (Note: Some destinations offer both options.) >> USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
20
Summer 2021
1. Amelia Island State Park, Florida
Florida’s Amelia Island State Park offers riders beautiful beaches, salt marshes, and coastal maritime forests.
Bring your own horse? Yes. Description: An easy drive from Jacksonville or Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island State Park protects more than 200 acres of unspoiled wilderness along the southern tip of Amelia Island. The park offers riders beautiful beaches, salt marshes, and coastal maritime forests. It’s the only Florida state park that allows horseback riding on its beaches. To ride in Amelia Island State Park, you pay on the honor system to park your rig. To hire an outfitter for Amelia Island State Park beach rides, contact Kelly Seahorse Ranch.
2. Carousel Horse Farm, Casco, Maine
PHOTO BY HELEN PEPPE
Carousel Horse Farm is a beautiful New England vacation destination for both your and your horse.
Bring your own horse? Yes. Description: Carousel Horse Farm is a beautiful New England vacation destination for both your and your horse. Reserve a place to park your living-quarters trailer or stay at the farm’s updated farmhouse. For your horse, choose the deluxe suite, the private suite, or a shed row single. Use the farm as home base to explore nearby Popham Beach State Park and Pine Point Beach. Popham Beach is bordered on each end by Hermit Island and Fort Popham. Pine Point beach is a flat, sandy stretch on Maine’s longest continuous beach. Note: Maine’s beaches are closed to horseback riding from April 1 through October 15; during the off-season, you can explore other area trails. Carousel Horse Farm also provides outfitting for beach and trail rides.
3. Equine Adventures, Frisco, Hatteras Island, North Carolina
PHOTO COURTESY OF EQUINE ADVENTURES
Equine Adventures offers two-hour beach rides that explore trails on North Carolina’s Outer Banks and Hatteras Island. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
21
Bring your own horse? No. Description: Equine Adventures offers twohour beach rides that explore trails on the Outer Banks and Hatteras Island. Ride through the only maritime forest on the Outer Banks, which includes Buxton Woods and the North Carolina Coastal Reserve. The herd includes Quarter Horse, Appaloosas, Paint Horses, and draft horses. Leisurely walk your mount along the water’s edge and take in the sites, or kick it up a notch and feel the wind in your hair with an exhilarating canter down the beach. Rides are held during the coolest part of the day to accommodate horses and guests. >> Summer 2021
4. Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides, Pacific City, Oregon
PHOTO COURTESY OF GREEN ACRES BEACH & TRAIL RIDES
Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides in Pacific City, Oregon offers challenging rides to experienced riders.
Bring your own horse? No. Description: Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides start at the facility’s beachfront location in the heart of Pacific City, Oregon. The one-hour ride passes through Bob Straub State Park, right along the coast. You’ll double back through sand dunes, then go back to the water for the home stretch. The twohour Park Tour ride caters to more experienced riders that would prefer a more challenging ride. This ride follows the Nestucca River, then goes through the steep dunes, where you can canter. You’ll end up back at the water’s edge, or you can stay among the dunes. Horses provided include Quarter Horses, Paint Horses, and draft crosses.
5. Ocean Acres Horse Hotel, Grayland, Washington
PHOTO BY CHARLES HILTON
Ocean Acres Horse Hotel in Grayland, Washington, offers accommodations for you and your horse, as well as miles of pristine beaches to ride on.
Bring your own horse? Yes. Description: Ocean Acres Horse Hotel offers accommodations for both you and your horse. The miles of pristine beaches that adjoin the property are perfect for trotting and cantering. The bed & breakfast provides seven rooms, each with a full bath, a queen-sized bed, microwave, refrigerator, and wifi access. Your horse may stay in a stonebuilt stable with paddocks. Horse-camping sites are also available; there are recreational vehicle sites for your living-quarters trailer and acres of dry land. If you camp with your horse, you must use a highline or portable corral.
6. Ricochet Ridge Ranch, Fort Bragg, California
PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM
Ricochet Ridge Ranch offers stunning rides along California’s Redwood Coast in Mendocino County. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
22
Bring your own horse? No. Description: Ricochet Ridge Ranch offers stunning rides along California’s Redwood Coast in Mendocino County. Founded by champion endurance rider Lari Shea, the ranch is now owned and managed by Judy Langevin, Jake Langevin, and Alisha O’Dell. O’Dell, a competitive eventer, also serves as the ranch’s trainer and chief trail guide. The ranch features daily rides on the beach and through redwood forests on top-notch mounts. Private rides, recommended for experienced riders, may offer opportunities to trot and canter. The ranch also offers custom rides and riding vacations. Summer 2021
7. Sea Island, Sea Island, Georgia
PHOTO COURTESY OF SEA ISLAND
At Sea Island, Georgia, you’ll trot along five miles of pristine private beach with an expert guide.
Bring your own horse? No. Description: Sea Island, a five-star resort in Glynn County, Georgia, offers guests an extensive array of activities to partake in during their stay. Riders report experiencing a profound sense of freedom and adventure. Trot along Sea Island’s five miles of pristine private beach with an expert guide, exploring the ocean and beach habitat of the Georgia coast. Sea Island offers a tailored experience for any riding level. Rides along the south end of Sea Island beach are available for experienced riders
8. Willamette Coast Ride, Carlton, Oregon
PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLAMETTE COAST RIDE
On the six-day Willamette Coast Ride in Oregon, you’ll travel through wine country, forested coastal range mountains, and the awe-inspiring Pacific Coast.
Bring your own horse? No. Description: The Willamette Coast Ride is a progressive, six-day riding adventure that begins at Foothills Farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. You’ll travel through wine country and forested coastal range mountains, spending the nights at local accommodations as you make your way to the awe-inspiring Pacific Coast, then return to Oregon’s wine country. You’ll spend two days on Oregon beaches. All horses are ridden in English saddles and require an intermediate to advanced riding level. The facility’s well-trained mounts include Irish Connemara ponies, Connemara crosses, Thoroughbreds, Mustangs, and draft crosses.
Beach-Riding Safety Tips Here are three beach-riding safety tips from Lari Shea, founder of Ricochet Ridge Ranch in Fort Bragg, California. Start slow. Beach sand can be very deep and easily strain or sprain a horse’s tendons, so don’t go too fast or too far unless he’s not only fit, but also used to going in deep sand. Be wave savvy. Even if your horse calmly crosses creeks and puddles, he might be afraid of the ocean waves, especially if the waves are crashing, or there are riptides or an undertow. Horses seem to sense that danger. It’s best to head straight into the water and straight out. If you take your horse into the water broadside, relatively small waves can easily knock him off his feet. Watch water depth. Don’t go out where the water is hock deep—when the waves come, the water will be up to his belly. Of course, you should get him used to being around waves over the course of several rides before you actually take him in the water.
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
23
PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM
Summer 2021
------------ USRIDERMEMBERSTORY------------
Canadian Adventure This equestrian traveler appreciated the support of USRider during a long summer road trip. By Harold Ramsey
PHOTO COURTESY OF HAROLD RAMSEY
“I am a loyal customer of USRider just for the peace of mind of having someone dependable to call for help no matter where I manage to get into trouble!” enthuses USRider Member Harold Ramsey, who experienced two roadside emergencies on a trip through Canada and the West Coast of the United States.
O
ne June, my wife and I left our home near Chicago to take an extensive trip with our horses. Our journey would take us north through Montana into Canada. From there, we would travel west across Canada, then down the West Coast of the United States. Normally, our routine is to travel from one camping or riding area to another, staying a few days to ride the trails wherever the scenery appeals to us. Our interaction with the services of USRider began mid-July. We were making our way to British Columbia. About 10 miles outside Rocky Mountain House, a small town about 100 miles north of Calgary, we heard one of the trailer tires blow out. Upon further inspection,
I found the bearings were burning and the axle was broken. Fortunately, we had cellphone service. While my wife was on the phone with USRider, I unloaded the horses and assessed our situation. The USRider representative located a towing and repair facility in Rocky Mountain House. He also located a boarding facility, which agreed to send a trailer to pick up our horses and then take them to a stabling facility. It’s such a convenience to have a contact that will help you to find whatever service is needed when you’re on the road and in trouble! After spending four days in Rocky Mountain House we continued our trip across Canada and re-entered the United States near Seattle. We
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
24
traveled, camped, and rode as we continued our trip down the West Coast. On one of our stops in Oregon, we stayed overnight on a Saturday and then left Sunday morning. On a winding United States Forest Service road out of camp, we dropped one side of the trailer off the road on a very tight turn. Unable to get a jack under the axle to get back onto the road, we again called USRider. The USRider representative was able to find a heavy-duty towing service to come out and rescue us once again. I am a loyal customer of USRider just for the peace of mind of having someone dependable to call for help no matter where I manage to get into trouble! USR Summer 2021
------------ROADGEAR------------
Equine-Travel Products Cruise Into Summer
Trailer-Door Caddy The Professional’s Choice Trailer Door Caddy is designed to accommodate both you and your horse. This durable caddy features both open and zipper mesh pockets to keep things organized, and insulated cup holders to keep your beverages cold while grooming. Secure the caddy to your trailer’s door with the included mounting fasteners and adjustable hook-and-loop closures.
Corner Feeder
Bug Lantern
Perfectly designed to go in a stall or slant-load trailer, the Cashel Corner Feeder from Cashel Company is a convenient way to feed your horse on the go. A mesh bottom allows dirt and debris to fall through. Seams are reinforced with nylon webbing for added durability. The Corner Feeder is universally sized to fit most slant-load trailers.
Light your campsite—and help keep winged pests at bay. The compact ThermaCELL Patio Shield Mosquito Repellent Lantern uses a replaceable butane cartridge to heat a mat that emits allethrin, an odor-free repellent (and a copy of a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemums) to create a 15-by-15-foot mosquito-free zone. Each cartridge lasts for 12 hours of use; each mat provides four hours of protection. Eight LED lights with two illumination settings are powered by AA batteries.
High-Tech Trailer Care Zymöl’s Auto Wash is a hardworking, concentrated formula designed to extract heavy dirt, oils, and insect tar while protecting your finish. A combination of pure Coconut Bark Soap and natural oils lifts dirt and washes it away. Bring out the shine with Zymöl Spray Glaze, which provides the deep luster and protection of a paste wax, without the work. Zymöl Spray Glaze is quick and easy to use and gives brilliant high-gloss results.
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
25
Summer 2021
------------ USRIDERBENEFITS------------
USRider Member Benefits Tack and Equipment Discounts 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 the brochure enclosed in membership kits and renewal mailings. Instructions and access
codes give you quick access on how to shop with all our WCA partners. With so many discounts, you can easily save the cost of your annual membership fee, and more! This issue, we spotlight just a few of the Tack and Equipment items. For more Member discounts, click here.
MDC Stirrups The revolutionary, patented design of MDC Intelligent Stirrups gives the rider a competitive advantage, increased security, comfort, and safety in a common-sense ergonomic design. Secure angles of traditional 45 or 90 degrees customize your ride and reduce leg burns. The MDC Ultimate Stirrup has a hinged footplate for a softer, shock-absorbing feel, while the MDC Comfort Stirrup has a traditional footplate and appearance. Both models come in a stainless-steel or satin-black finish. USRider Members receive free shipping.
Nag Horse Ranch Nag Horse Ranch has designed 90% UV protection for horses with white muzzles or faces. Recommended by veterinarians and loved by horses that hate having sunscreen applied, these shades are durable, comfortable, and effective. Nose, full face, eye protection, and trail-rider shades are available, along with three styles of sun visors. USRider Members receive 10% off their entire order; enter coupon code USRIDER during checkout.
Rein-Aid Rein-Aid offers a variety of products that contain elastic to soften the connection between horse and rider. The elastic bridges the connection between the horse’s mouth and the rider’s hand. The “give” in the rein encourages relaxation, softening, and accepting of the bit. Products include Rein-Aid Elastic Inserts, full Elasto-Reins, Rein-Aid Breastplate Draw Reins, and a Soft-Lunge lunge line. With Rein-Aid products, you can do dressage, drive, hunt, jump, barrel race, and trail ride. Train yourself and your horse to perform more smoothly with Rein-Aid. These products are kind, effective, and safe with leather backing on all elastic portions. USRider Members receive a 20% discount.
Shadowtree Shadowtree has supplied horse accessories to customers since 1995 when the owner, Bobbie, started attending endurance rides. She loaded her old horse trailer with products for riders and their crew, and even rode in a couple rides herself. Shadowtree is always searching for just the right items that provide something unique, innovative, and beneficial for their customers. “Tried-and-true” is an important aspect of this business, so when an item works, they try to keep it available and in stock. However, occasionally, a product is a one-time offering, so if you see that amazing item, don’t wait—grab it while you can. USRider Members receive a 10% discount and free shipping on all products except large items. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
26
Summer 2021
Need more benefits? Own an Equine Business? Travel long distances? Introducing the:
Premier Plan UPGRADE TODAY Premier Plan
The new USRider® Premier Plan is the preferred plan for business or competitive equestrian travelers. This plan includes all of the Classic Plan benefits PLUS:
• • • • • •
Unlimited towing Unlimited jump start benefit Unlimited lock out benefit $400 maximum winch out benefit $400 maximum roadside repair One FREE associate/employee membership
• Emergency disablement expense reimbursement • 24-hour concierge service • 20% off all items in the USRider® Store • Includes fuel, oil and water delivery, tire changes, roadside repair* *excluding cost of parts and fluids
WWW.USRIDER.ORG • (800) 844-1409
------------HANDYCHECKLIST------------
On-the-Go Feeding By Audrey Pavia | Photo by Heidi Melocco
The stress of traveling can play havoc with your horse’s digestive system. Use this checklist to support your horse’s digestive health.
Before You Go ■ Schedule a wellness exam. Before you set off on your trip, schedule a wellness exam with your veterinarian to make sure your horse is ready for the journey. ■ Evaluate your horse’s diet. Make sure your horse’s diet meets his complete nutrient requirements essential for optimal health and performance. Consider consulting a nutrition specialist. ■ Buy the right feed. Select lowdust forage or a complete feed. Make sure it’s clean, fresh, and toxin-free. Keep to the same feed, if possible. Consider a complete feed that will travel well. ■ Check feed requirements. If you’ll be traveling to or through public lands, find out whether you need to give your horse certified weed-free feed. This regulation also applies to feed pellets in some states. ■ Transition slowly. If you’ll be changing your horse’s diet, start before you leave. Gradually mix the new into the old over the course of 7 to 10 days to minimize possible digestive upset. Keep your horse on the new diet for at least two weeks before you leave home to condition him to the new feed ration. ■ Consider supplements. Con-
sider adding supplements to your horse’s feed to help him with the rigors of travel. “Travel stress is best met by providing B vitamins a week before travel, during the trip, and a week following,” says equine nutritionist Juliet Getty, PhD. ■ Pack salt and electrolytes. Pack natural salt rocks or granulated salt to offer free-choice at your destination. “Horses require a minimum of two tablespoons of salt per day, and more when sweating,” says Dr. Getty. “A sweating horse will also require electrolytes. Provide one electrolyte paste tube for every two hours of work.”
to the flavored water, so will be more likely to his drink water ration during your trip.
On the Road ■ Use a hay bag or bucket. On the road, use a slow feeder hay bag for forage; this will help your horse eat more slowly and will reduce wasted feed. Bring a bucket for complete feed and hay cubes. Hang the hay bag and bucket at a height that allows your horse to lower his head as he eats.
Keep Him Hydrated ■ Provide enough water. Generally, in the summer, your horse needs about 10 gallons of water per day, but if he’ll be working hard on a hot day, he may need more. He’ll also need plenty of water to accommodate increased thirst caused by added salt and electrolytes. ■ Plan ahead. Find out whether your destination offers water for horses. If you’ll be depending on streams, make sure they’ll be flowing at the time of your visit. ■ Bring water from home. If your horse is a fussy drinker, or if water won’t be available, bring water from home to use en route. Consider adding apple juice concentrate to his water for two weeks before you leave on your trip and while you’re on the road. Your horse gets used
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
28
On the road, use a slow feeder hay bag for forage (such as a Nibblenet, shown); this will help your horse eat more slowly and will reduce wasted feed.
■ Soak the hay. Encourage a fussy drinker by soaking his hay. Put hay or hay cubes into a hay net, dunk the net into a water tub, and drain. ■ Tie him right. In the trailer, tie your horse with enough slack to comfortably eat and put his head down to clear his airways, but not so tight that he can catch a hoof in the rope. ■ Take breaks. Take a break every three to four hours to offer your horse water, refill his hay bag, allow him to rest, and check him over. USR Summer 2021
