PrintCheck back every Wednesday through Aug. 18 for more articles in the Mobile Horses: Care On The Road series, sponsored by UlcerGard.You can find all the articles on our Mobile Horses page.
In the lives of mobile horses, traveling by trailer is a necessary evil. Trailering your horse to shows, lessons, clinics or other activities may seem like a run-of-the-mill routine, but trailering is one of the biggest causes of stress to your horse.
“The mechanics of getting on a truck and getting transported makes their stress levels go up,” said Duncan Peters DVM of Hagyard Equine Medical Clinic. “It’s one of those things that is a completely abnormal situation. They’re not normally on a truck or trailer or plane, so the insecurity or anxiety from not being in a normal surrounding produces stress.”
No matter how well your horse ships, traveling will increase the cortisol levels in your horse’s body, but there are many different ways to decrease the adverse affects of cortisol while trailering.
DIY or Commercial?
When considering a long distance trip with your horse, the first question to ask is: How long? How many miles are we talking about? How many hours will your horse spend on the trailer? If your trip involves more hours on the road than you’re comfortable driving by yourself, you may want to consider a commercial shipping service. Companies that provide commercial shipping can take a lot of stress off your shoulders and provide your horse with a better traveling experience.
“I have traveled in the back of a lot of trailers, and it’s pretty stressful,” said Richard Wheeler, DVM of Palm Beach Equine Medical Centers. “You’re kind of getting bounced all over the place because you can’t see to prepare yourself. You should have the most stable, safe trailer you can, and that will reduce the stress on them. There’s a big difference in some of these air ride trailers and those that travel from barn to barn. If you travel economy it’s pretty rough, but if you travel first-class it’s a pretty different experience. I recommend you travel your horse first-class as often as possible without the open bar!”
However, not all companies provide the same services.
“Reputation and experience count for a lot. That’s the most important thing,” said Wheeler. “There are a lot of companies that have been doing it for a long time and do a really good job. They have good drivers, good equipment and a good eye for things. Nothing counts as much as experience.”
Wheeler stressed the importance of doing your research when looking for a transport company. Speak with your trainer, veterinarian, or someone you know who regularly ships commercially.
Questions You Should Ask When Choosing A Commercial Shipper
