Your Healthy Horse

10 Tips for Hot Trips

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

Here are 10 time-tested tips to help you keep your horse safe, and how you 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.

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. >>

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.

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

1. Plan ahead. Know exactly where you’re going, plotting the coolest, most efficient route to get there.

2. Prepare your paperwork. Have the appropriate travel papers in hand before you leave for your trip.

3. Set your alarm. The time of day you choose to travel can really make a difference.

4. Go naked! Resist the temptation to wrap your horse in clothing before you load up. Naked is best!

5. Open up. Open every possible vent and trailer window (those with bars or screens) to maximize ventilation.

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.

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

6. Plan a fluid pre-load. Preventing dehydration is just as important as keeping your horse cool when hauling in the heat.

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.

8. Carry familiar water. Nothing is more stressful than an overheated horse that won’t drink. 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.

9. Soak his hay. If you’re going to provide hay while on the road, consider soaking it to provide extra moisture.

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.

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.