Even in Winter, time spent on the road can deplete your horse’s energy, hydration and health. In this article, we share eight useful tips to ensure your horse stays healthy wherever you’re travelling this season.
Tip 1: Protect your horse’s health
Transporting your horse to another location, by its very nature, will expose them to health risks, including infectious diseases. Prior to travel, ensure
your horse is vaccinated against the major threats, including herpes, strangles, hendra and tetanus.
Tip 2: Bring your own equipment
If you’re taking your horse to a competition, you should exercise caution when using communal facilities, such as hoses. The easiest way to do this is
to bring your own equipment, which will also make the new environment feel more familiar for your horse.
Tip 3: Continue normal routines
No matter how far you are from home, abrupt changes in your normal routine, especially feed times, should be avoided. Maintaining the same feeding schedule
is critical for reducing stress and reducing the risk of colic.
Tip 4: Hang hay low
Inside the float, your horse should have continuous access to fresh, clean water and quality hay. To support their normal feeding position, hang hay below
head height – being mindful of any potential hazards. If your horse suffers from a respiratory condition, consider soaking hay prior to travel.
Tip 5: Monitor your horse’s vitals
Just like at home, you should regularly check your horse’s vital signs, including temperature, heart and respiratory rate, and hydration status. Keep an
eye on your horse’s urine and manure output when on the road as well, as dehydration can quickly lead to impaction colic.
Tip 6: Limit contact with other horses
If your horse is arriving on a new property, you should allow up to two weeks for quarantine. This minimises the introduction of new infections and parasites,
and gives your horse time to adjust. When at competitions, try to limit direct contact with other horses.
Tip 7: Disinfect your equipment
Following travel, it’s advised to wash down and disinfect any equipment, including your horse’s float, to protect any horses at home from new infections.
And, as a bonus, your gear will also be ready to packing next time you hit the road.
Tip 8: Watch your horse’s temperature
Once your horse is back home and settled after their journey, you should continue to check their rectal temperature twice daily for one week. An increased
temperature is often one of the first signs of pleuropneumonia (travel sickness).
At Running Cool, we genuinely care about your horse’s health and wellbeing. Our superior horse feed range supports your horse at every stage of life with well-balanced vitamins, minerals and protein for pleasure and performance. Click here to learn more.