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3 Steps to Safe Winter Hauling
Haul your horse all winter long with this expert three-step strategy. By Rebecca Gimenez Husted Photos By ClixPhoto.com
You can haul your horse all year long, even in the dead of winter, as long as you do so safely. Find traction. Park so that your trailer’s ramp is positioned on the best traction you can find. Dirt is preferred, but snow is better than ice or asphalt. Clean your trailer. Clean the inside of your trailer. Frozen urine and manure are slippery. If your horse falls, he could suffer a serious injury or even death.
You can haul your horse all year long, even in the dead of winter, as long as you do so safely. Here’s a three-step strategy to safe winter hauling.
Step 1: Trailer-Load Safely Wear good boots. Slipping, falling, or breaking a limb is really a downer on your planned trip. Find goodquality boots that will keep your feet warm, protect your feet, and provide good traction. Train your horse. Prior preparation and good training are important to make sure your horse is a good loader; if he rushes in or out, he can easily slip. Create an inviting environment. The more inviting you make the trailer’s interior, the more likely your horse will feel confident enough to step in. Put fresh hay in the bags and a little grain in the manger. Open the doors and windows, so there’s plenty of light. Lay in supplies. Keep a rubber broom, a snow shovel, sand, shavings, and salt in your trailer or tow vehicle. Use these tools to clear snow and ice from the area around your trailer and to add traction. USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
Step 2: Keep Your Horse Comfortable Provide good-quality hay. Even in really cold weather, horses create more heat than you think they do. The best way to keep your horse warm in the trailer is to provide good-quality hay. Watch over-blanketing. It’s easy to over-blanket your horse. Most trailers are poorly ventilated, so they tend to get very warm with body heat, even in belowfreezing temperatures. A light sheet or blanket is sufficient for most horses. Apply leg protection. Apply leg protection, such as polo wraps or shipping boots. In winter, it’s especially important to protect your horse’s precious lower legs from slips and kicks.
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