HORSE KEEPING

SHIPPING WITH THE PROS

Do you have a long haul coming up? Or simply a quick jaunt to a local show? If so, here are some great pieces of shipping advice from the experts!

BY JENN WEBSTER

There are numerous considerations to keep in mind when hitting the highway with horses in tow. From planning on how much hay to bring with you, to knowing where fuel stations are along your journey, there are many things to plan ahead to help ensure your horses reach their destination safely and ready to compete. We enlisted the help of three Alberta trainers who regularly haul to events, for both long and short distances and asked their advice about everything from protective equine shipping equipment, to electrolytes and layovers.

MEET THE EXPERTS

Ronda Cann of High River, AB, has been a hunter/jumper trainer for over 30 years. She grew up in the United States and travelled with some high-end horse barns before relocating to Canada. This included working for John and Beezie Madden in Cazenovia, New York and other Grand Prix trainers in the New England area. Cann moved to Canada 20 years ago and continued her business in Alberta. She helps to rehabilitate both horses and riders and approaches training with positive reinforcement and a wholistic approach. Her combined experiences have seen Cann on long hauls to Florida and California and shorter hauls throughout the province of Alberta.

Involvement in horses started for Alberta dressage trainer Patty Hambling as many young girls do – begging their parents for a pony. At first, show jumping and eventing were Hambling’s main interests, but through the guidance and example of some influential trainers, her passion for dressage was ignited. She gained experience and knowledge at different barns in the area, achieving her B.Sc and B.Ed as well as her Competition Coach Specialist designation during this time. Recently she attained her Recognized Equine Canada Coaching Licence and received an Alberta Dressage Association Lifetime Achievement award. Hambling now has the pleasure of running the beautiful stable, Pon Equus, belonging to one of her longtime clients. Pon Equus is a smaller private barn that focuses on quality long term relationships. Hambling mostly has personal experience with shorter hauls, but arriving to the destination safely and with relaxed equines is just as important to her, as anyone else.

Rita Condon owns her own show jumping facility near DeWinton, AB, and is a well-respected coach and judge with more than 40 years in the industry. She specializes in the coaching and training of elite equine athletes and their riders. Condon knows firsthand, the effort and preparation it takes to bring a hunter mount to the competition ring. Through her operation, C-Horse Equestrian, Condon also regularly hauls her client’s horses to Vancouver, Ontario, California, Arizona – or wherever the show circuit may take them.

Can you please tell me about some methods you use when shipping horses, to ensure they arrive at their destination safely and ready to compete?

CANN - The first thing I like to do is do a safety check on the trailer, prior to hooking up and departure. I always like to make sure the footing is secure in the trailer – no holes and no damage inside the trailer. I check to ensure lights and wires are working and whether there’s an anti-slip mat, adding shavings if needed to ensure the horse doesn’t slip. The horse is less likely to get in the trailer again if it’s not stable in its footing. I also like to ensure all vents are open for air flow. You don’t want it too hot or too cold in the trailer – you want that happy medium. I’m also very particular about ensuring each horse tied in the trailer has a breakaway tie, in case they pull back or something happens. And always allow for adequate time to arrive safely at the destination.

HAMBLING - I like to ensure any horses being hauled are in good condition to start with. I like to practice loading and hauling before hand, so the horses are comfortable and not stressed by the procedure. We will often haul to various locations for lessons, clinics, or fun trips so horses and riders are comfortable performing at various locations. I also advise that my clients give themselves extra time for any unforeseen circumstances and so that everyone remains relaxed and calm. Lastly, the order of horses in the trailer is important to keep them all happy and we drive for the horse’s comfort – this includes the time of day to trailer, avoiding the heat of the day, or the coldest parts of winter.

CONDON - Travelling the speed limit is just fine. Speed doesn’t affect horses as much as breaking hard, or swerving side-to-side. And it pays to arrive safely! Our horses also always haul in leather halters, in case they pull back and I have spare leather halters in my trailer just in case. A full first-aid kit is on board, along with Dorm or Ace, in case a situation should arise. And I don’t usually travel alone – because it’s hard to handle six horses by yourself. AMA Gold is the road-side assistance I carry, because they will haul both your horses and trailer off the side of the road in the event of an emergency.

Do your horses wear any protective gear inside the trailer? If so, what?

CANN - I personally wrap and bandage my horses’ legs especially when they haul with other horses, in case they step on each other in the trailer. Prior to leaving, I want to know the dividers work, otherwise the horses will lean on each other for balance. I want them to feel secure in their dividers, so they don’t move. I find my horses feel more secure when they have the bumpers there, in case they need something to lean on.

HAMBLING - Protective equipment is decided on an individual basis for each of the horses, the trip and the trailer. Again, practice with any equipment that will be used, so the horses are comfortable with it beforehand and the riders know how to skillfully apply it. Leg protection used must be applied securely. I prefer dividers between horses with protection that extends to the ground, to protect horses’ legs from the other horses. Handlers should also wear proper equipment, gloves and footwear. I also like to be prepared with spare halters, lead ropes and a first-aid kit

CONDON - Never. The only thing I will allow my clients to put on their horses during hauling are bell boots or brushing boots. I won’t allow them to use anything else, because some things can become uncomfortable and hot if left on for long periods of time. And for long hauls, if the wraps at the front of the trailer start to come unravelled, it can be a mess because then you have to unload everyone to get it fixed.

How do you deal with feeding and watering on the highway?

CANN - Even for short-term hauls, I bring my own hay and water, just in case a tire blows and we’re waiting on the side of the road for help. I like to feed my horses hay in a hay net or manger inside the trailer, providing more comfort for them as they travel. But the hay net has to be able to fit the horse in the space! As long as there is space for a hay net, I will put one in. But if the horse is too big, I won’t.

Which brings me to another point - if you have a 17 hand horse, you need a Warmblood-sized trailer. The right size trailer is important! Jamming a big horse into a small space never ends well. I will also bring a bag of carrots with me when I’m hauling to ensure the horse will eat or drink while they travel. I don’t give them carrots on the trailer, but when we stop they get them to encourage them to eat. Carrots provide moisture which increases salivation and can stimulate the horse to drink.

HAMBLING - I feed hay for horses in slow feeder nets, hung out of the way of hooves. I would also bring water for a longer trip. Some places are harder to find water during traveling and some horses are fussy. For horses that are known to be picky with water, I would use electrolytes to encourage them to drink.

CONDON - I have water in front of the horses all the time. I use slow-feeding hay nets so they have to work at it, otherwise they rock the trailer trying to paw the ground for hay. And also like to water the hay. During long trips I stop every four hours for fuel, but it has been my experience that most horses won’t drink until they get off the trailer. However, offer water at these stops, just in case.

I always tell my clients to start electrolytes four days before shipping day, and Gastroguard the morning of. You can’t give them electrolytes once you’ve started your journey, so you must start before you leave. You must hydrate the horses before they get on the trailer. Then when I layover at night on long trips, I give them a soft bran mash which they’re quite happy to eat. AB