Ready for the road

PACKING FOR A MULTI-DAY SHOW WITH SEVERAL HORSES NEED NOT BE A LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE. STEPHANIE BATEMAN SPEAKS TO GROOMS, FEED EXPERTS AND LORRY MANUFACTURERS ABOUT HOW TO ENSURE YOU PACK EVERYTHING YOU NEED AND WAYS TO ENSURE A COMFORTABLE JOURNEY FOR YOUR HORSE.

Fit toTravel

Loading up for a show for one horse is bad enough, but can you imagine the organisation required for a number of horses? This is the reality faced by Gareth and Rebecca Hughes’ groom Steph Sharples who often has multiple horses to pack for. So, how does she do it?

“I like to start getting things together a couple of days in advance so I can see what I have and what I still need to pack – it’s a lot easier when it is all laid out in front of you,” explains Steph. “I’m a creature of habit so tend to pack every item in the same order.”

Steph has ‘mental’ packing lists to help her organise kit.

“I have done so many shows now that the lists are printed into my brain,” she explains. “I work along the shelves getting the items I want which is a fail-proof system for me.”

There some items that can be left on the lorry including buckets, spare head collars, towels, shampoos, sprays, a set of ice boots, fi rst aid kit (human and horse), a spare set of stirrup leathers and curb chain and hooks “The smaller items are easy to drop off or lose, so I like having spares.”

Everything has its place in the lorry so Steph knows where to go to get it.

“I have two shelves – the top one has towels and the one below has shampoos, sprays, lotions etc with a box of spare curb chains/hooks and bridle numbers.”

ABOVE: THINK ABOUT WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION WHEN LOADING YOUR LORRY, SUGGESTS EQUITREK, WHICH HAS CAREFULLY-DESIGNED STORAGE AREAS IN ITS LORRIES AND TRAILERS. RIGHT: STEPH SHARPLES, GROOM TO GARETH AND REBECCA HUGHES, HAS A METHODICAL APPROACH TO PACKING THE LORRY. Steph admits that the main packing challenge is space.

“I don’t travel lightly!” she laughs. “I always have plenty of spare shavings, haylage and feed to allow for any damage in transit, and I basically have spare of everything.”

At the Hughes’ yard, it is generally the groom going to the show who does the packing.

“That way, if you have put it into the lorry, you know you have it.”

Water and feed are the fi rst essential items that are loaded “in case you get stuck in a tra c jam, followed by a fi rst aid kit.”

During the journey, the horses have access to forage and on the long journeys, fre uent stops are made to off er water.

“Sometimes they can be reluctant to drink on the lorry so we tempt them with something to fl avour the water and if this doesn’t work, I will syringe water into them,” says Steph. “ eeding a sloppy mash while waiting for a boat or train ensures water intake too. “In terms of forage, we are very lucky that our haylage supplier provides us with small bales so the horses stay on the forage they are used to.”

EVEN LOADING

With a little planning you can employ every inch of space in the lorry or trailer while staying within the payload, as Tom Janion of E ui Trek explains “ any of our trailers have living accommodation or tack changing areas and these are positioned at the front of the trailer to ensure that once horses are on board the load is spread as evenly as possible. E ui Trek’s horseboxes have living accommodation or a tack changing area, plus tack lockers and additional storage over the cab and above the horse area. “As a general rule of thumb, heavy items should be packed at ground level and towards the front of the trailer or vehicle. ighter items, such as rugs and bandages can go up top. Being organised is crucial for fi tting everything you need in and clear storage bags or boxes will allow you to uickly fi nd things.

“When it comes to payload, always check with the manufacturer if you can’t fi nd the information in your manual or on their website. The only accurate way to check you’re not exceeding the payload is to weigh your kit, your horses, any passengers you will carry and to check the weight of anything else extra, such as a full tank of fuel. ind out where your local weighbridge is and visit with your horses and kit loaded.”

FEEDING ON THE GO

e uirements for individual horses will vary according to factors such as body weight, condition score, discipline, environmental factors and rider ability, explains i ie Drury Sc utr of Saracen Horse eeds.

Travelling has a signifi cant eff ect on weight loss due in the main to dehydration.

“ luid and electrolyte imbalances are part and parcel of weight loss, particularly when horses start to suff er from diarrhoea at the sight of the horsebox and during transit,” adds i ie. “ esearch has suggested that horses lose two to fi ve pounds of body weight for every hour that they travel, and this takes three to fi ve days to be regained in a normal healthy horse.”

The physiological and mental stresses of travelling, coupled with the risk of dehydration that can potentially lead to colic, means that it is important to identify and minimise the stress so that you allow for greater overall health and well being.

INSET: FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES ARE PART AND PARCEL OF WEIGHT LOSS. LEFT: A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING – SOME REGULARLY USED ITEMS SUCH AS SHAMPOO STAY ON THEIR SHELF IN THE LORRY BETWEEN SHOWS.

TOP TIPS

Weigh your horse so you know his fighting’ weight. This will also enable you to work out how much weight you will need to replace once he returns from a long journey before you take him out again. •Ideally a horse should be eating at least 2% of its bodyweight as forage to keep his digestive system healthy and stimulate saliva production to buffer against gastric ulcers. Check that you are using feeds and supplements that are suitable to be fed prior to and during competition under clean sport’ rules. ake sure your horse has access to a salt block and supplement his feed with 50 150g of salt depending upon work levels and weather conditions. Horses can be reluctant to drink strange water away from home.

Start practising at home by encouraging your horse to drink flavoured water. Alternatively make sure that you have water containers on board to take enough home’ water with you. ash products are a guaranteed way of ensuring good water intake.

Saracen ecovery ash can be soaked into a thick slurry to help maximise fluid intake. n the day of competition, try to keep feeding routines as normal as possible. In the event of very early starts, let your horse eat his breakfast at least an hour before you go. n long journeys, make water stops at least every two hours and ensure that water is continually available on arrival. Allow your horse to regularly pick at grass or nibble his haynet to keep up saliva production. If your horse is going to have some time off after a show, then remember to halve his concentrate feed if he is on a high energy cereal based product. If he is on a fibre based diet and can be turned out then he can remain on full rations.

“TRAVELLING HAS A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON WEIGHT LOSS DUE IN MAIN TO DEHYDRATION.”

SHIPPING FEVER

“A major problem for the serious competitor is shipping fever or pleuropneumonia, a term that is used to describing physiological, particularly respiratory stress during and following long journeys,” explains Lizzie. “The reasons are many, including poor air quality, poor ventilation and restricted head movement. All these compromise optimum lung function and defence mechanisms, which allows for bacteria Streptococcus Zooepidemicus to become established. Symptoms include coughing, fever, nasal discharge, and respiratory distress.”

Prompt and aggressive treatment is required and usually effective, although preventing the problem from occurring is preferable.

“We try and prevent shipping fever by keeping the horses cool and hydrated during transit,” says Steph Sharples. “If you have room to do so then trying to get their heads down, tempting with carrots or apples is also helpful.”

ABOVE: SUDDEN CHANGES IN FORAGE MAY LEAD TO HEALTH COMPLICATIONS SUCH AS COLIC – TAKING YOUR HORSE’S USUAL FORAGE WILL HELP MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY. BELOW: KEEPING HORSES COOL AND HYDRATED HELPS PROTECT THEIR HEALTH WHILE TRAVELLING, AND COULD PREVENT SHIPPING FEVER.

FORAGE FORAYS

Careful consideration to your horse’s forage and a small amount of pre show preparation can help to reduce the influence of digestive disturbance during the show season, says Deborah Leabeater, Msc, CBiol, MRIB, nutritionist to HorseHage.

“Sudden changes in forage may lead to health complications such as colic and using different forage is often overlooked when staying away at show. Taking your horses’ normal forage will help maintain consistency.

“Horses can often spend a lot of their time in a confined space such as a trailer, horsebox or stable when competing or away training,” she adds.

“Choosing a forage that is dust free, good quality and with nutrient values suitable for their individual needs, such as HorseHage High ibre, will help to improve the uality of their environment and reduce the risk of respiratory issues.

Grazing your horse in-hand or allowing them access to forage as often as possible will help them to trickle feed and maintain a healthy digestive system.

PRODUCT WATCH

TRAVEL CHECKLIST

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NAF LIQUID ELECTRO LYTES

When horses work, or during hot weather, they regulate their body temperature by sweating. orses not only lose uid as it evaporates, but also essential body salts, particularly sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Failure to replace these body salts (known as electrolytes) can result in fatigue. Electro Lytes is an easy-to-use liquid designed to replace the four essential body salts which may be lost through exercise, sweating or during hot weather. Simply add to feed or dissolve in drinking water.

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BUCAS 2020 TRAVEL BOOTS are made of tough outer nylon fabric and a Staydry inner lining. They feature cushioned padding so they will fully contour to the horse’s leg. Three large straps on the front boot and four large straps on the rear boot, and elasticated top and bottom straps on front and hind boot help secure the fi t of the boots. Available in cob and full in black and navy.

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LEMIEUX PROKIT RUCKSACK provides stylish

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LEMIEUX RUG HANGING

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COVER IT WITH PRP

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SARACEN HORSE FEEDS RE-COVERY MASH supports optimum rehydration and recovery posttraining, travelling and competing. The high fi bre, banana avoured mash is convenient to feed in all situations to help support water intake for the fussiest of eaters and drinkers. The mash also includes electrolytes to maintain thirst response, live yeast to support gut ora and stabilise the p of the gut, as well as vitamin E to support normal muscle function and recovery. Use as and when needed without disturbing your existing feeding regime.

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LEMIEUX STABLE DRAPES make any stable

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EQUI-TREK EVOLUTION Built on a brand

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HIGH FIBRE HORSEHAGE

is a ETA NOPs and FE A certifi ed forage suitable for competition horses, especially ones that have to be stabled for extended periods of time or travel regularly. It is dust-free and high in fi bre supporting a healthy respiratory and digestive system essential for optimising performance. High Fibre HorseHage products come with a 100% quality guarantee and do not contain chemical additives or mould inhibitors. HorseHage comes in easyto-handle bales and splits into useful wedges. orse age has been an o cial supplier to British Equestrian Teams at every Olympic Games since 1984.

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