It can be difficult to transport a horse.Whether you use a trailer or a larger truck, you need to take the proper steps to make sure your vehicle is set up correctly.Make sure your horse is well-fed and hydrated before you hit the road.If you want to keep it calm as you load it into the vehicle, fit it with protective travel clothing and a halter and lead rope.It's a good idea to make occasional stops on longer trips to give your horse a chance to rest.
Step 1: Obtain a commercial driver's license.
Private owners are not required to have special documentation to transport animals.If you are moving a horse as part of your job, you will need to have a commercial driver's license on file in your state.You can apply for a driver's license at the Driver Services Division of the Department of Motor Vehicles.To be eligible for a commercial driver's license in the United States, you must be at least 21 years of age and hold a permit for 14 days or longer.After passing a short exam and paying the associated fees, you will be issued your CDL by mail.
Step 2: Tow trailers have to be connected.
The crank on the back of the trailer should be turned clockwise.The crank should be turned counterclockwise if you want to lower it into position.To make sure the two components fit together, take a moment.After hooking up the trailer, secure the connection site by sliding the latch pin into the slot at the top of the coupling.If you are going to be using your own vehicle to tow a horse trailer, you should study the vehicle's specifications to find out if its towing capacity is equal to the trailer.If the trailer somehow comes uncoupled, consider winding a length of chain around the hitch to act as a fail safe.The last thing you want is to slip a hitch on a busy highway or interstate with your horse in tow.
Step 3: It's a good idea to perform a thorough safety inspection of your vehicle.
Look for damaged or malfunctioning components inside and out of the vehicle.Check the lights on your towing vehicle and trailer to make sure they are working.If necessary, top off your fuel and fluid levels and put air in your tires.It is a good idea to keep a copy of your horse's legal and medical paperwork in your glove compartment if you get stopped.Once you are on the road, you should take the time to confirm that your vehicle is in good working order.
Step 4: The floor of the truck or trailer should be covered with a rubber mat and bedding material.
If you want your horse to have traction, place a rubber mat along the entire length of the truck or trailer.The smooth metal surface can cause your horse to fall over.Spread a thick layer of hay, wood shavings, or whatever bedding material your horse is used to over the entire bottom surface.Without a rubber mat, it's easy for a horse to fall.The compartment will be more inviting to your horse.It will absorb any urine that is released during the trip.It is possible to improve your horse's footing and calm its nerves by presenting it with a familiar sight when you load it onto the ramp.The feeling inside the trailer is lightened by the shavings.Horses don't like dark places as they feel like a pit.It's important that your trailer is as bright as possible.
Step 5: Feed and water your horse before you leave.
Before you load your horse into your truck or trailer, make sure it has a good meal consisting of moist hay and clean water.A preliminary feeding will help your horse retain more energy while standing in one place for a long period of time.If your horse is unwilling to eat, you can offer a wet mash with fresh fruits, vegetables, or molasses.Allow your horse to eat at a comfortable pace and feed it early.If you force it to eat and drink at the last minute, it will make the rest of the process much more difficult for both of you.
Step 6: Your horse should be dressed for travel with protective clothing.
Along with poll, tail, and leg guards, put a head collar on your horse.Other options include custom wraps or boots.The accessories you use for your horse should be appropriate for the weather and the conditions inside the trailer.Throw a couple blankets over your horse if it is cold outside.You don't want your horse to get overheated, so keep in mind that temperatures can climb quickly inside a truck or trailer.When taking your horse on the road, protective travel clothing is a must, as it reduces the risk of a serious injury.
Step 7: A halter is needed to fit your horse.
The halter should be around the top of the horse's head, behind its ears.The straps should be snug, but not too tight.Tie or connect your rope to the halter.If your horse begins to struggle at any point, you should use a breakaway halter.As you lead your horse into your vehicle, you will use a halter and lead rope.
Step 8: Take your horse for a ride.
Most horses won't venture into a truck or trailer the first time.It is possible to enter the vehicle before your horse to show there is nothing to be afraid of.If necessary, tug the lead rope to keep horses moving.Someone else might be able to help you get your horse into the trailer.The best way to get the horse into the trailer is to have 2 people help with it.If someone can safely get out of the trailer once the horse is loaded, then they should be allowed to get in.If your horse tries to back out of the vehicle, don't be angry.They usually do this to test the waters.Horses are sensitive and can be startled easily.Be patient and try to get your horse into the vehicle.
Step 9: The horse needs to be tied up inside the vehicle.
If you want your horse to stay in its stall or chute, close the compartment door behind it as soon as possible.Your horse isn't likely to wander while the vehicle is in motion if you knot the lead rope around one of the rings on the upper wall or ceiling.Before you lock up the truck or trailer, spend a few minutes petting and talking to your horse.The door or gate of your vehicle should be closed until you untie the lead rope and have control over your horse.When it sees the outdoors, it might bolt.
Step 10: Make sure the door to the truck or trailer is locked.
Single or double gate-style doors swing open and closed in most horse trailers and lorries.As the doors open, you should hear a click.After they're shut, lower the butt bar across the doors and insert the latch pin to make sure they don't open accidentally.The doors need to be locked and closed correctly.The trailer is not safe for your horse.Different cars have different locking mechanisms.It's a good idea to take some time to understand the design of your transport in order to reduce the chance of an accident on the road.
Step 11: Food and water can be provided in a secure container.
Attach a hay net to the inside of the trailer so your horse can easily reach it.Provide plenty of fresh water in a container or bucket that's secured at either ground level or shoulder height for your horse.If your horse is facing its food and water supplies, it will be able to easily consume them.Your horse will move its head to eat and drink if you have food in front of it.Shipping fever is a respiratory illness that is common among horses transported long distances in close quarters and Continual head movement will reduce your horse's risk of contracting it.It happens when the animal can't cough because it's unable to drop its head to cough.Every few hundred miles, be sure to refill your horse's food and water.
Step 12: Take a break every couple of hours.
Regular stops will give your horse a chance to rest its legs, which will undoubtedly be tired from constantly balancing to maintain stability in the back of the moving vehicle.If you are in a safe place, this is a good time to replenish its food and water and take it out for a short run.When you are surrounded by miles of open pasture, desert, or other quiet, spacious terrain, the best time to trot your horse is.If you are near a main road, do not let your horse out of the truck or trailer.It will be difficult to get it back into the vehicle if the sounds of passing cars scare it.If you had a difficult time getting your horse into the trailer, don't unload it.
Step 13: Put your horse up for the night if you stop every 12 hours.
If you have a long road ahead of you, veterinarians recommend pulling over after half a day of travel time to give you and your horse a break.Before you head on to your next stop, allow your horse to rest for at least 8 hours.You can rent a stall at a commercial stable during your overnight stops.People and horses both experience travel exhaustion.Chances are your horse is also fatigued after a long drive.
Step 14: After arriving at your destination, thoroughly sanitize your truck or trailer.
The leftover feed and bedding should be thrown into a trash bag.Pull up the floor mats, along with leads, haynets, and other loose fittings.To clean the interior compartment, spray the floor, walls, and ceiling with a power washer on a low pressure setting.All exposed surfaces should be washed with your power washer after you're done.For health reasons, it's important to wear thick work gloves, a face mask, and protective long-sleeved clothing, especially if your animal has recently been sick.You should always wash your transport after unloading your horse.