FACT

SHEET

Departmentof AnimalScience, Universityof Connecticut

EffectiveHorseManagement– HorseManagementSeries

SafelyTrailering andLoading YourHorse

Jenifer Nadeau, M.S., Ph.D

Assitant Professor EquineExtension Specialist

Department ofAnimal Science

In order to haveasuccessful tripwithyour horse,therearesomesafetyconsiderations involved. It is importantto know how to safelyloadand traileryour horse. Unsafe traileringand loadingcan lead to accidents and health concerns.

When trailering ahorse,you want tobesurethat:

Your trailerismodernandsafe in design. Newfeatures makingtrailerseven saferarrive on themarket every year. Some features that mayincreasesafetyand minimizestress include insulation, mats,screens,window barguards, removable orno center post, removable haybags, andwatertanks. More expensive features includethings likeinterior fans, air-ridesuspension,closed-circuitTV cameras, and air-conditioning. This maynot be affordableforthe averageperson.

Yourhitchis perfectly rated foryour trailer. Hitches can beweight-carrying orweight-distributing. Thedifferenceis that a weight-carryinghitch supports the weight ofthe tongue as itpresses down on the hitch while aweight-distributing hitch (equalizing) lets moretongueweight becarried and keeps thetrailermore stable and level bydistributingthe tongueweightto all thewheels of the tow vehicle and trailer. Usingaweight-distributinghitch is especiallyimportant when drivingashorter wheel basevehiclesuch as an SUVversus afull sizepickup.

Theratingis stamped onthe hitch; therewillbearating forweight-distributing capacity, tongueweight and weight-carryingcapacity. Theslidein ball mount

and the ballwillalso be stamped with a ratingof capacity. Remember that the actual capacityis onlyasgreat as thecapacityof theweakest part:slide-inball mount, coupler, or hitch. Also remember thatyoucan tow alighterloadwith a heavierhitch but notaheavierload with alighterhitch.

Your towvehicle isappropriateforyour trailer. Preferably you shouldknow what typeof traileryouwillbetowingorhaveinmind aspecific trailer before buyingyour towvehicleto be surethatyou areselectingthe appropriate vehicle. Read the automobileor truck manufacturer's towingvehicleguide and select accordingto which tow vehiclemeetsyour neededtowingcapacity. You will be consideringengine size, transmission, and axle ratio. Axle ratio is thegearingin the differential that multiplies torqueto the rear wheels.

Thehorseis positionedinthe trailerina way that minimizes stress. Recent studies have examined these effectsand found that:

oheart rates werenot different between horsesfacingforward or backward;

ohorses shipped parallel backwards slipped morethan horses shipped

parallel forwards, slanted45 degreeforwards, orslanted 45 degree

backwards;

otherewasaslight preference forhorses to havea45 degreeorientation in trailers, but no preference forfacingeither awayortowards thedirection traveled;

ountied horses spent moretime facingbackward than forward in amoving trailer and several horseshad strongpreferencesfor thedirections they facedwhile beingtransported;

oin one study, rearfacing horses werebetterable tomaintain their balance and horses seem to be able to balancebetter iftheycan freelyraise and lower their heads (i.e. nosaddle compartment in theway);

oin one study,horses on the right sideof thetrailerhad atendencyto lose balancemoreoften;

ounshod horses hadmoreforelegmovements than shod horsesbut only tended to slip more thanshod horses.

When hauling long distances considerfeed, water, rest stops and unloading a necessary partofthetrip.

oHave enoughfeedand wateron board forthe number ofdaysyouexpect to be on the road, andextrain caseof emergency;

oIfhaulinghorsesalongdistance,you should feedon their regular schedule;

oMakearest stop at leastevery3to 4hoursand stop for at least 15-30 minutes. Offer waterat thebeginningand end ofeach rest stop. Dehydration is one potentialside effects of traileringhorses. Be sureyour horseis drinkingregularly. Inspect boots andwraps and reposition shifted headgear suchas flymasks and head bumpers. Check the length ofyour

horse’s restraintifyour horseis tied. Assess ventilation conditions and

makeadjustments as needed;

oStop for45 minutes every7.5 hoursto changehaynets and removefeces;.

oIfstoppingovernight hand walk thehorseor turn itout ifyou are at a

placewherethereis a paddock available;

oIt is not wiseto unloadyour horsein anyareawhereitmaybedangerous

tohorses or humans. Nervous horses mayspookand becomefree creating

adangerous situation. Useyour judgment when choosingto unload and exercise ahorse. Manycommercial haulers do notunload horses during transport dueto concernsabout their abilityto reload the horseand the horse’s reaction to an unfamiliar situation as wellas the potential danger. Ifhorsesarehauled long distances theyshould begivenaweek to recover beforebeingstrenuouslyexercised.

The trailerhas enoughspaceandlight insideforyourhorse to feel comfortable. Sincehorses arepreyanimals, theywillbeunlikelyto want to go into adark, enclosed space. Theyrun from preyin thewild if possible and tryto avoid dark, enclosed situations. Also makesurethat thetrailer is tall enough and wide enough forthehorsesyouarehauling. Recent research indicates that the numberof injuries isless if a floor areaof 1.14to 1.31 squaremeters per horseis provided. Thetrailer should notreach temperatures above75 to 90ºF, which is the upper critical temperature, at which thehorsecannot remove heat quickly enough toavoid heat stress. Also, humidityabove50%willinterferewith their abilityto remove heat.Ifyou do not have an air-conditioned traileryou should consider thesefactorsand attemptto transport horses at times when heatand humidityaredecreased or avoidingtransportingthe horse atallin these conditions.

The trailerhas adequatewindows, slats androofvents forproperventilation.

Proper ventilation is veryimportant to the respiratoryhealth ofyour horse. In one

study:

oammonia andcarbonmonoxide werebelow acceptablelimits forhuman exposure;

oarticulate matterwas abovesafelimits forhumanexposure.

Thisis whysomepeopledo not advise feedinghayin trailers.However feeding

haycan bebeneficial tokeep the digestivetractmoving, prevent colic and keep the horseoccupied while trailering.

The trailer has nosharpedges. Sharp edges can cut or injurethe horseor handler.

You do not compromiseonstrengthandintegrity of floors and underbraces.

There aremanyhorrorstories of horse's hooves puncturingthefloorofanold

trailer as ittraveled downthe highway.Regularlyremove mats and check floorboard integrity. Manureand feces trap moistureunder themats if not cleanedregularlyand oftentimes prematurelyrot thefloorboards.

The rampis solid, low,non-slipandlong enough. Ifahorsekicks theperson liftingthe ramp will notget kicked in theheadif the ramp is long enough. Also besurethat the ramp is as wide orwider thanthe trailer openingso horsesdonot step off theramp.

Latches, buttbars, breast bars, tie rings, etc. are toughenoughto withstand the wearandtearofthelargest, strongest horse hauled inthe trailer.

Buttbars, breast bars, posts,anddividers should be removable andeasy to moveincase ofanemergency.

Tires arewellinflatedandinexcellent condition. Check the tires to besure that theyareinflated to theproperair pressure. Carefullycheck tirevalvesand valve stems to be suretheyarenot worn. Rotateand havetires on trailers balancedregularly. Ifyou havenot used the trailer in awhile besurethe tires are not dryrotted.

Thesuspensionis the best available. Rubber torsion suspension has been found to be far-superiorto drop-leaf suspension. Itdecreases shock byas much as 98% and stress to the horse whilehavingbetter handlingand stability. Also, each axle in rubber torsion suspension is attached separatelyto thetrailer bottom which means that ifyougo overapotholewith one ofthewheels it does not drop into it, and the trailer is supported on the other threewheels. As the first wheel passes over thehole, it ends upon solid ground and supports the followingwheelwhile it is pulled over thehole. Thisalsomeans that thetrailer could bepulled foratime withoutoneof thewheels.

Checkthat lights, blinkers, breakaway brakeandtrailerbrakes all arein excellent operating condition. Turn on allof thelights and walk aroundthe trailer makingsurealllights areon. Turn on the left blinker, walk behind the trailer and makesurethat it is working. Do thesame with the right blinker. Test the brakes to besurethattheyfunction bytakingthetrailerashort distancein a small areasuchasyour drivewayoranearbyemptyparking lot and adjustthe trailer break to be sure theyare responsive. Keepbrakes in excellent working condition through regularmaintenanceand haveamechanicgo over them at least onceayearat thesametimeyou haveyour tires inflated, rotatedandbalanced.

Trailer constructionshould be durable enoughfor thesize, weight, and strengthofthehorse(s)andequipment hauled init andwill maintain its integrity ina traffic accident.

You always carry a first aid kit on board,health papers iftraveling out of stateanda Cogginsreport. You will need proofthatyour horsewas in good health within the last 30 days if travelingout of state (regulations varybystateso check with theDepartment of Agriculture for thestate-specific regulations).

Proofof negative Coggins test (for EquineInfectiousAnemia) is required when traveling and wherever horsesgatherinagroup. This test should be repeated annually.

You alwayscarry enoughwaterfor routine travel inadditionto whatmay be neededincase ofemergencies likebreakdowns,traffic jams, cleaning

wounds, etc.

You always carry a roadsidekit thatincludes serviceable sparetires forboth your truckandtrailerinadditionto ajack, tireiron, tire changeblock,

wheel chocks, wrenches, screwdrivers, fuses, jumper cables, flashlight,flares, anda fire extinguisher. You may also considercarryingnames and phone numbers ofcontacts along theway andcontact information for

recommendedlayover barnsforlong trips.

You have roadservicefor truckANDtrailer. USRiderprovides 24-hour, nationwide emergencyroad service fornoncommercial haulers.

Loadinghorses is another placewheresafetyis definitelyaconcern. Manyhorses refuse to load into trailers and amajorskirmish can ensue. Thebest bet is to practiceloading horses beforeyou need to takethem somewhere. Here aresomeways to safelyloadyour horse:

Checkthe traileroverforsafety prior to loading.

Wrapthehorse's legs orapply shipping boots.Besurethat the legis covered from the coronaryband to the kneeor hock. This will helpyou avoiddamageto

thehorse's legs which mayrequiremedical treatment or resultin permanent injury to thehorse. Standingbandages, properlyapplied,arerecommended foralong trip and mayoffer moresupport to the legs than shippingboots.

Put a head bumperon thehorse. This will protect thehorseifit should inadvertentlyhitit’s head when loading, unloadingorwhile traveling.

Considera tail wrapifthehorse tends to leanonthebuttbar. This will protect thetailbone from damage, but must be applied properlyto avoid causing

moreharm thangood.

Wearboots andconsiderwearing gloves whenloading horses.

Neverput a horseintoa trailer thatisnot hitchedto a towvehicle.

Parkthetrailerinanarea where thereis solid footingwhenloading the horse.

Makesure thereareno hazards nearby suchasfarmequipment, fence posts, etc. whenyouareloading.

Besure that the doors don't stickout where they can knocka horseor handlerinthehead.

Makesure thatthedoorlatches do notstickout thesides ofthe rampwhenit is down. Horses andhandlers can beinjured on theseparts.

Turnonthelights andopenthedoors to makeitlight andairywhenloading.

Do not use tranquilizers unless youhave consulteda veterinarianandhave experienceadministering thesedrugs.

Don't try to teachthehorse to loadwhenyouareina hurry! Training sessions should beundertaken whenyou don't haveto be anywheresuch asa show, trailride, or clinic.

Do notuseunnecessary force to traina horsetoload. This will onlystress the horsemore and makeitmoreunlikelyto want to load.

Two methods to trainahorse to loadinto theinclude:

1. Havethe horsework hard, then rest at thetrailer;

2. Encourage and reward each step toward thetrailer.

Neverleada horseinto the trailerifyou don'thaveaneasy escape route.

Leadthehorseinto the traileras ifyouexpect it to followyou. Anysign of hesitation onyour part maymakethe horsehesitate as well. Don't act nervous or unsure, be confident andmostlikelythe horsewillbe confident aswell. Don’t turn to facethehorseas you load it, this maymakethe horsestop. Look forward and walk right up theramp.

Neverget into a trailerwith a panicked horse.

Considergetting help fromacompetent professional ifyouarehaving trouble getting a horseto load. Ask for references. Watch their loading

methodswith otherhorses first. Thetrainershouldencourageyou watchyour horsebeingtrainedand teachyou how tocontinuethe training at home.

Hopefullythispublicationhas givenyou someideas on how to trailer and loadyour horsesafely. Ifyou arehavingtroubledon’t hesitate to consult an equine professional forideas and help. Safetyofyou andyour horseshould beyour first priority. Byfollowingthesetips,youaremorelikelytohaveasafe and happy traileringexperiencewithyour horse.

Sources

Clark D.K., Friend T.H.,Dellmeier G. 1993.Theeffect of orientation duringtrailer

transport on heart rate,cortisol, and balancein horses. Applied Animal Behaviour

Science38: 179-189.

GibbsA.E., Friend T.H.1999. Horsepreferencefororientation duringtransport and the effect of orientation on balancingability.AppliedAnimal Behaviour Science63: 1-9. ScheveN.K, ScheveT.G. 1998. TheComplete Guide to Buying, Maintainingand Servicing aHorseTrailer. HowellBook House, NY.

Smith B.L., Jones J.H., Carlson G.P., PascoeJ.R. 1994. Bodyposition and direction preferences in horses duringroad transport. EquineVeterinary Journal26(5): 374-377. Smith B.L., Jones J.H., Hornof W.J., Miles J.A., Longworth K.E., Willits N.H. 1996. Effects ofroad transporton indices of stress in horses.EquineVeterinaryJournal28(6):

446-454.

Stull C.L. 1999. Responses of horses to trailer design, duration, andfloorareaduring commercial transportation to slaughter.Journal of Animal Science 77(11):2925-2933. Toscano M.J., Friend T.H. 2001. Anote on theeffects of forward and rear-facing orientation on movement of horses duringtransport.Applied Animal Behaviour Science

73:281-287.

Reviewer:

Crystal E. Smith, Animal ScienceExtension Agent, VirginiaCooperativeExtension