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Horse Travel ~WHAT TO TAKE ON A DAY OUT~ *Hay and haynet *Water in a large container *A shovel and broom for droppings *A lunge line, if needed, for loading, and whip, if needed, for lungeing. *Grooming kit, including hoof oil and brush. *Two buckets *Two sponges *Sweat scraper *Tack, as required, with spare reins, bit,s addle pad, or gadgets that could be useful *Travel rugs and surcingle, leg protectors, two tail bandages and guard, knee pads, etc. *First aid equipment including bandages, antiseptic, wound powder, etc. ~PREPARATIONS~ Some horses travel simply with a headcollar and rope, oor even loose in a horse trailer without partitions, but most owners prefer to provide some forms of protection and precaution. *A tail bandage keeps the tail clean and prevents rubbing. Leg bandages, or wraps, protect against knocks. Some boots, or leg wraps, cover the knees and hocks as well as the lower leg. Bandages, over cotton wraps or other padding for even pressure, take longer to put on than velcroed wraps, but they are more secure and offer better support. *Separate knee pads and hock boots can be worn; a tail guard is optional. ~LOADING~ For the best control, a horse usually wears a bridle or a lunge line when being loaded. The ramp must be stable, easily accessible, and lie with a minimal slope. Approach the ramp with in a straightforward manner to give the horse confidence. Any hesitation is soon communicated. DO NOT drag the horse if it is reluctant. *Once inside, attach the breaching strap or close the door, before tying up the horse. Then praise or reward it. *If a horse tries to turn around or look behind, its head may be tied on either side. Make sure it is tied short engough to stop it from biting or annoying another horse, but so that it can still reach a haynet and move its weight. Use a quick release knot. *When transporting a single horse, place it on the right-hand side of the box, as it will travel more smoothly toward the center of the road. ~HANDY TIPS FOR LOADING~ *To acclimatize young horses to a horse trailer, lead them in and out, and/or feed them in it occasionally. *To give encouragement, load a steady companion first. *Place straw bales to form a passage. *To persuade an unwilling horse, put straw on the ramp to make it look more inviting, or widen a partition in the trailer so it looks easier to enter. *Use food as a lure. *Pick up and place a food on the ramp. *If a horse refuses to load, attach two lunge lines or ropes on either side of the entrance, held at the free end by two assistants who will cross them behind the horse's hindquarters as it nears the ramp, hodling them taut. The horse should respond to the pressure, and load without damage or fear. ~UNLOADING~ It is always safer to unload a horse forwards down a ramp, if possible. Untie the horse before removing any front bars or opening the door, but make the horse wait until you are ready to lead it steadily and straight down the ramp. Unload the horse nearest to the ramp first.
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