Travelling with Horses: Safety, Preparation and Essential Gear

Travelling with horses is one of the best parts of summer for equestrians! If you’re planning to take on plenty of adventures this year, it’s important to make sure that you’re prepared. When done right, it’s a fantastic time for all involved, getting to explore new places, and making memories along the way!

When exploring with your horse, you must put their best interests first. Your horse should be your first consideration, and your trip should be planned around their safety and overall wellbeing. A happy and healthy horse will be very appreciative of the chance to explore new places, and we can help you make sure of that.

In this blog, we’ll be giving you information on our top trips for travelling with horses, so that you’re all set to take on your hacks! Keep reading to find out more.

Safety Precautions 

When it comes to travelling with horses, safety is always key. You must ensure that you’ve taken careful consideration to the health and wellbeing of your horse, so that they’re able to enjoy the trip away just as much as you! There’s plenty of things that you’ll need to look out for before you head out, and we’re here to help you prepare.

Firstly, you’ll need to prep your horse trailer if you’re heading further afield. It’s vital to make sure that your lights, brakes, and tires are all in appropriate condition, and you should also check that safety equipment, such as break-away systems and emergency kits, are all in good condition. Your trailer should also be well-ventilated, and at a pleasant temperature - this will also apply to the place that your horse will be staying once you’ve arrived. You should also ensure comfort during travelling; consider taking a poll guard to protect your horse’s head, as well as leg wraps, and cosy bedding.

To ensure the safety of your horse, you will need to be equipped with emergency kits, and equine first-aid. You should be prepared to know where the nearest vet is, and bring your horse’s paperwork and health records with you ready to display if necessary - click here to discover the documents that your horse must have. Other essentials to pack include:

• Extra lead ropes

• Halters

• Knife to prevent entanglement

Planning Your Adventures

Make sure to plan your entire trip around horse-friendly activities! You’ll need to ensure that the place you’re staying is horse friendly, and that you’ve mapped out your journeys that you plan to take on. It’s important to ensure that horses are permitted wherever you’re going, and that you plan to stop every few hours on the drive to your destination. 

You should make sure that your walks aren’t too strenuous when travelling with horses, and that you make sure to understand their signs of fatigue, and when they need a break. Likewise, the place you’re staying must be big enough for your horse to be comfortable. If you’re not yet decided on your destination, and you’re looking for horse-friendly locations, check out the Top 10 UK Riding Holidays!

Before you and your horse head out, why not show off their style on your adventures! With a new, bespoke nameplate, you can elevate your horse’s headcollar, and saddle, so that their elegance stands out! Explore your options here.

Feeding and Hydration on the Road

While it may sound obvious, please ensure that you bring enough food and water for your horse to last through your trip away! This should also be accompanied by their eating and drinking troughs or buckets, so that they have somewhere to eat and drink from. 

Your horse’s diet should not change just because you’re not at home. It is important to stick to their daily schedule, and to ensure that they’re getting the same nutrients as they normally would. Sudden dietary changes can lead to digestive issues, which will not only spoil your trip, but may cause lots of discomfort to them. You should ensure that they have access to hay in the trailer on your journey to keep them occupied, at ease, and well digested.

Acclimatising Your Horse

You shouldn’t throw your horse in the deep end if they haven’t trained or exercised in a while, particularly if this is their first trip away. It’s important to acclimatise your horse to the idea of travelling, and even exercise if they aren’t used to it. Start small, and build up their confidence to travel somewhere, particularly for them to be comfortable in their trailer.

Begin with short, positive experiences. Let your horse become accustomed to their trailer - practice loading and unloading initially, where you can then build them up to drive short distances with you. If you’re confident that they are now adjusted to the idea of travelling, you may be ready to take them travelling with you. Just make sure that you keep tabs on them, and stop for breaks if necessary!

Make a Checklist

Lastly, we’d recommend making a checklist of all the things that you should be bringing, or accounting for when travelling with horses! Everything that we’ve discussed so far should be written down somewhere, so that you can keep track of everything that you’ve already got covered, and your to-do list before travelling. Your list should feature all items and equipment you need, and should include the tasks that you’ll need to carry out in advance, so that you can make sure they are completed before you leave.

If you’re looking to find out more about what should be on your equipment checklist, click here. 

Summary

We hope you’ve got plenty of adventures planned with your horse, particularly with summer currently upon us! With the right planning, travelling with horses is a wonderful experience for all involved, and with plenty of beautiful scenery for you to explore, we’re sure you’ll find the right adventure for you.

A personalised nameplate is a smart way to ensure your horse’s gear is easily identifiable while adding a touch of class. Our deeply engraved options are ideal for travel. With options available for your horse’s headcollar, saddle, or even their trailer, there’s plenty of choice for you to upgrade their fashion! Discover your options here.