How to Make Long-Distance Travel Comfortable for a Horse

Transporting horses over long distances is common among equestrian enthusiasts. Risks involved in long-distance shipping include dehydration, colic and injury. Whether shipping to a competition or to a new home after a sale, you need to make the trip as comfortable and safe as possible for the horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Reliable horse trailer
  • Electrolytes
  • Mineral oil
  • Grass hay
  • Probiotics
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Instructions

    • 1

      Secure a reliable horse trailer if you are shipping yourself or find a reputable equine transport company. Unless you are extremely experienced with driving a horse trailer over long distances, it is wise to contract a shipping company to handle the actual transportation. Ask your friends and barn mates for suggestions and call references. Find out about the various sizes of trailers available, the number of horses included in the load, the route and any planned stops along the way.

    • 2

      Three days before your trip, start your horse on an electrolyte supplement. Flavored powder electrolytes are a good choice. These supplements will help keep your horse hydrated and increase thirst during the journey.

    • 3

      Three days before your trip, start adding mineral oil to your horse's feed. Prolonged travel makes some horses nervous. Nervous horses will not drink enough water to keep them hydrated, which can lead to impaction colic. Mineral oil will keep the bowels moving and protect against impaction colic. Start with 3 oz. and work up to a pint of mineral oil prior to departure. Its stool may become a little loose, but that is better than a lack of bowel movement.

    • 4

      Avoid rich feed prior to depature. This includes sweet feed, alfalfa hay and grain. Grass hay is a better choice because it limits digestive stress.

    • 5

      The morning of the trip, give your horse a dose of probiotic. Digestion can be a serious issue for many horses during long trips. Probiotics ensure the presence of enough healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.