USRider® Equestrian Traveler's Companion-Fall 2022

Equestrian Traveler’s

COMPANION

Your Essential Horse-Trailering Resource Fall 2022

Catch Colorful Fall Foliage Rig-Parking Pointers Fall-Feeding Guidelines Hone Your Driving Skills An Equine Network, LLC, Publication

Equestrian Traveler’s COMPANIONFall 2022

Your Essential HorseTrailering Resource

FEATURES 8 Safe Travels

Rig-Parking Pointers

12 Your Healthy Horse

Seasonal Feeding

16 Hauling Hints

Long Road Trips

20 Getaways

Catch Colorful Fall Foliage

24 USRider Member Story

Breakdown in the Boondocks

DEPARTMENTS 4 Top Tips

Expert Advice for Equestrian Travelers

6 Skill Set

Safe Driving 101

26 Road Gear

Trailering Essentials

28 USRider Member Benefits

Holiday Gift Ideas

30 Handy Checklist

COVER PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Horse-Expo Tips

USRider General Manager: Bill Riss Editor: René E. Riley Art Director: Abby McDougall Contact USRider: (800) 844-1409 P.O. Box 20634, Boulder, CO 80308 memberservice@usrider.org • www.usrider.org USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

Equine Network, LLC, is the producer of award-winning magazines, including EQUUS, Horse&Rider, Practical Horseman, and The Team Roping Journal.

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Fall 2022

What Members Are Saying About Recent Services “I'm so glad I signed up with USRider. I was on the side of a busy Highway alone and nobody to help me. Then I pulled out my USRider card, and called them, a very nice helpful person was on the other end and within 30 minutes they had me a tow truck. All this was covered by my membership. It's nice to have back up when you need it. Thank you USRider!”

- D Cole, Fairmont OK August 2022

“Apryl was wonderful! She was in constant contact with me while I was on the side of the road with my horse trailer and horse. I couldn't have gotten a better Member Care Specialist to help me with my blown tire. She IS THE BEST!” - J Brosz, Tuscon AZ August 2022

“Great Service. All people that are on the road with horses need your service’s.

I’m very impressed with your service. I recommend to all.”

- T Hayden, Rapid City SD September 2022

“USRider always provides quick, expert assistance. A bonus service is that it will provide assistance even if the member is not driving, and, of course, takes care of a horse and trailer. I and my family have been members for years.”

- K Haynes, Murfreesboro TN August 2022

Travel with confidence knowing USRider will get you back on the road safely and efficiently, should unexpected vehicle or trailer problems occur.

TopTips

SEASONALTIP

TRAILERINGTIP

Be Hunting Savvy Fall is hunting season in many parts of the country. To avoid being mistaken for a deer or other game, follow these hunting-season safety guidelines from Dave Di Pietra, founder of Synergist Saddles. ▶ Wear a bright-orange vest. This is the universal sign to a hunter not to shoot. ▶ Wear bright clothes. Avoid earth colors that blend into the scenery. ▶ Wear an orange helmet cover. Your helmet is the highest and most visible point of your turnout. ▶ Use an orange quarter-sheet on your horse. ▶ Attach a bell to your tack so it jingles when your horse walks. ▶ Avoid riding at dawn or dusk, which are peak hunting times. ▶ Ride with a buddy. More people and horses mean more noise. ▶ Carry a whistle. Blow it whenever you think you need to make it clear you’re not an elk or deer. ▶ Braid bright-orange ribbon into your horse’s tail. ▶ Apply orange Vetrap™, splint boots, or leg bands around your horse’s pasterns.

— Audrey Pavia

PHOTO BY JARED MELOCCO

On the road, use your mirrors to keep track of the vehicles around you, especially drivers who may be in your rig’s blind spots.

Mirror, Mirror On the road, use your mirrors to keep track of the vehicles around you, especially drivers who may be in your rig’s blind spots. Here are some tips to increase your safety.

Beware of blind spots. Blind spots are areas around your trailer where you can’t see approaching vehicles.

Depending on the size of your rig, it may be difficult to see directly in front, directly behind, and along each side of your trailer. Be especially cautious of approaching cars on the right-hand side of your truck and trailer. Check both side mirrors before changing lanes, and always keep ample space between your truck and the traffic in front of you.

Upgrade your mirrors. Most newer trucks come with tall and wide mirrors ready for trailering. If your current mirrors don’t extend out far enough side to see the back of your trailer, buy new ones, or add extenders to the mirror arm. You may also purchase “fisheye” mirrors, where curvature provides a wider viewing area than normal.

Take time to adjust. Adjust your mirrors so that you can see your trailer’s back end. Then you’ll know when there’s enough clearance when pulling in front of another vehicle. Also, aim your mirrors down so you can see the road edge behind your trailer. Keep in mind that passenger-side mirrors don’t give accurate distance measurements.

— Heidi Melocco USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

PHOTO COURTESY OF OUTFITTERS SUPPLY

PHOTO COURTESY OF PROTECTAVEST, INC.

Trail Sheets from The Original Equine Protectavest® are quarter sheets made from tough, lightweight, vinyl-coated mesh. Inset: Durable TrailMax Original Saddlebags from Outfitters Supply are padded and lined, and come with a detachable cantle bag.

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HEALTHTIP

Treat Fall Thrush Fall’s wet conditions can increase your horse’s risk for getting thrush, but wet conditions alone won’t cause the infection. Here’s a rundown of thrush’s causes, symptoms, treatment, and troubleshooting tips.

Causes: Thrush is caused by an anaerobic bacterium, meaning that it can live without oxygen. Poorly cleaned stalls, urine-soaked and manure-packed footing, and wet, muddy conditions are major factors that predispose your horse’s hoof to thrush. Poorly trimmed feet—hooves with contracted heels or overly high heels that trap debris inside the foot and around the frog—also contribute to your horse’s chances of contracting thrush.

But the primary cause of thrush is inadequately cleaning your horse’s feet. If you allow your horse’s foot to become a dark, wet, unsanitary sanctuary for the bacteria, they’ll move in and multiply, even feeding on the frog tissue itself.

Symptoms: Thrush is characterized by a dark, sticky discharge and a foul, rotting smell. The frog may be covered with this discharge, or it may only build up deep in the frog’s grooves. Thrush is usually associated with poor frog growth and disintegration of the frog tissue.

Treatment: If your horse gets thrush, first ask you farrier to trim your horse’s hooves. They can leave the crevices beside the frog wide open, while paring away any obviously infected tissue. Then pick out your horse’s feet every day, paying particular attention to

Fall’s wet conditions can increase your horse’s risk for getting thrush, but wet conditions alone won’t cause the infection. the frog crevices, until the thrush has cleared up.

Troubleshooting: If thrush persists, you can treat it with dilute bleach (about 50:50 bleach and water) or hydrogen peroxide. There are also several commercial applications for thrush, but ask your veterinarian for advice—sometimes these chemicals can be too harsh on the tissues.

— Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD

USRIDERMEMBERTIP

Save on Prescription Drugs The USRider Prescription Drug Savings Card is available at no cost to Members and accepted at over 54,000 pharmacies nationwide. The card provides savings of up to 15% on brand-name drugs and 40% or more on generics. The card may also provide discounts on drugs not covered by insurance plans. With Comparison Shop, Members can compare the costs of their prescriptions at all participating pharmacies in an area. This feature will also show the cost of generic equivalents to ensure the best deal. When traveling, USRider Members can access On the Go to find participating pharmacies across the country. Members can also access In the Mail to get mail order pricing and ordering information. Go to www.usrider.org to use the online resources to find the best deals.

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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------------ SKILLSET------------

Safe Driving 101

Hone your rig-driving skills to enhance hauling safety.

By Bonnie Davis Photos by Heidi Melocco Take time now to hone your rig-driving skills for your and your horse’s safety and comfort. Practice on seldom-traveled roads.

You finally have your dream rig, and you can’t wait to become an independent horse hauler. But first, take time to hone your rig-driving skills for your and your horse’s safety and comfort. Practice by driving off-hours with an empty trailer in an empty parking lot (with the property owner’s permission) and on seldom-traveled roads.

Note your trailer’s tracking.

Observe how your trailer tracks behind your towing vehicle—that is, how evenly and closely your trailer’s tire marks follow your towing-vehicle’s tire marks. To see how your trailer tracks, drive your empty trailer to a dirt field. Make some turns, then inspect the tracking pattern.

Make wide turns. Using the tracking information, allow for sufficient room to clear corners, street curbs, rocks, and trees. Use your mirrors to monitor clearance. If in doubt, safely stop, get out, and check the clearance. Practice your turns in an empty parking lot, with the owner’s permission.

Be a turtle. Be a turtle, not a jackrabbit. Jackrabbit starts and hard stops are hard on your trailered horse. That sudden jerk when peeling out can throw him against the butt chains or dividers; a sudden stop can throw him forward into the manger or sideways against the trailer wall. Pull out slowly. When approaching a signal or stop sign, allow plenty of room between your

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rig and the cars ahead of you for greater stopping distance. In stopand-go traffic, leave about four to five car lengths in front of you to allow for smooth stops.

Drive defensively. Closely watch your fellow drivers to anticipate and adjust for lane changes, changes in speed, etc. Be aware of traffic behind, ahead of, and beside you.

Watch for brake lights, keeping your distance from other vehicles.

Watch your speed. Be aware of your state’s speed limits for towing, or for rigs of a specific size or length. And regardless of the speed limit, make safety a priority. Don’t adjust your speed according to a road sign, but to the highway’s weather and safety conditions. >> Fall 2022

Stay to the right. Staying in the right-hand lane allows other vehicles to safely pass on the left. In some states, towing rigs are required by law to travel in the right lane (or right two lanes), unless otherwise posted.

Pull over. If six or more vehicles are behind you on a two-lane highway, pull over to let them pass as soon as you can do so safely. (In some states, this is the law.)

Pass carefully. When you pass on a two-lane highway, allow at least the trailer’s length between the back of your trailer and the front bumper of the vehicle you pass. Never pass near the top of a hill or on a curve, where your visibility is hampered. Look for a broken white line, which typically designates a passing area.

Stay in the right gear. When going downhill, shift to a lower gear to help keep your speed down, which will save brake wear-andtear. When going uphill, also shift to a lower gear, which will give you more power without “flooring it.” Always stay within the safe RPM range, as indicated on your dashboard display.

Avoid overheating. If your towing vehicle starts to overheat, pull over at the safest site available. Turn off the engine, then raise the hood to allow cooling air into the engine compartment.

Do not open the radiator cap; steam and boiling water can burn you. If you’ve properly maintained your engine, it should cool down after a few minutes. If you drive a diesel-powered vehicle, let the engine idle to cool it down.

Park with care. Even if you’re comfortable with highway driving, it’s natural to feel anxious about parking once you reach your destination. To ease your anxiety, first pull out of traffic, stop, and eyeball the situation. Then formulate a game plan. Find a way to turn around and face the exit, so it’ll be easier to pull out later in the day when the parking area is full.

Avoid the temptation to park next to another rig; find an area that will give you some wiggle room. If you can, park on the side of the parking area, so other drivers can get around you easily.

After you park, set out a couple of road cones about 10 feet from each side of your trailer, so you’ll have room to tie your horse to your trailer. Some late arrivals may try to wedge in too closely between rigs, creating an unsafe situation. (For more rig-parking guidelines, navigate to Safe Travels, this issue.)

Back up with skill. When it comes to pulling a trailer, backing seems to be the biggest bugaboo for some trailer drivers—another reason why you should always park facing out when pulling into a parking area. Practice backing at home until it feels natural. Turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction from where you want the trailer’s back end to go. For example, if you want your trailer to go to the right, turn your steering wheel to the left. Move slowly, and watch your trailer in your mirrors for impediments. Practice in a parking lot, with the property owner’s permission. The white lines will help guide you. It’s not hard; it just takes repetition!

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Top: Drive defensively. Closely watch your fellow drivers to anticipate and adjust for lane changes, changes in speed, etc. Middle: If six or more vehicles are behind you on a two-lane highway, pull over to let them pass as soon as you can do so safely. Bottom: At your destination, find a way to turn around and face the exit, so it’ll be easier to pull out later in the day when the parking area is full.

Fall 2022

------------SAFETRAVELS-----------

Rig-Parking Pointers

PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

At a showgrounds, find a spot that will give you ample room to tie your horse to the side of your trailer. Backing into a spot close to a fence will prevent other drivers from parking too closely.

Y

Learn how to manage your rig in three challenging areas: at an open showgrounds; at a busy trailhead; and when fueling up.

ou’re comfortable hauling your horse on the road, but when it comes to parking and fueling up, you’re a little unsure of the best course of action. You’re not alone! Here, I’ll give you pointers in three potentially challenging areas when driving a rig: at an open showgrounds; at a busy trailhead; and when fueling up, as well as in tight spots.

By Rebecca Husted, PhD

When hauling your horse to a show, plan to arrive early so you’ll get your

Open Showgrounds

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pick of parking spots. Then follow these guidelines.

• Find a quiet spot. Don’t park close to the warm-up pen or show barn for convenience. Rather, choose a quiet spot away from the crowd, and use a wheeled cart to move your things. Your horse will appreciate the quiet, and you’ll sleep better if you’re staying overnight. And when the show is over, it’ll likely be easier to load up and leave.

• Consider the weather. If it’s warm, choose a shady, breezy >> Fall 2022

PHOTO BY KENT & CHARLENE KRONE

Trailheads are known for their tight turnarounds, lack of parking space, and scarcity of prime parking spots. area. If it’s cold and windy, find a spot with a wind break. Avoid trees if a thunderstorm is forecasted.

• Stake out ample space. Find a spot that will give you ample room to tie your horse to the side of your trailer so he can eat, drink, and relax. Backing into a spot close to a barrier or fence will prevent other drivers from blocking you or parking too closely. Reinforce your visual barrier with orange cones.

• Park on gravel or grass. Parking on asphalt makes it easier to maneuver, but searing summer heat will reflect up into your rig.

Find a gravel or a grassy area.

If you park on gravel, keep an eye on the weather. If there’s a chance of rain, move your trailer to firmer ground before the gravel turns to mud.

Busy Trailhead Trailheads are known for their tight turnarounds, lack of parking space,

and scarcity of prime parking spots. Here’s how to ease your trailhead-parking challenges.

• Reserve your space. If you’ll be camping overnight, you might be able to reserve a prime or pull-through spot ahead of time.

If not, look for an open location to back your trailer into.

• Read the rules. Some trailheads have one area for day riders and another for those camping or parking their rigs overnight.

Read the rules online and onsite so you’ll know where to go.

• Do a walk-through. Get out of your truck, and walk through the parking area to look for obstacles and opportunities. If you need to, ask an experienced driver to ground guide you into your spot, or accept his or her offer to park your rig.

• Pull around. Pull around so that you point your rig toward the exit. This will allow others to pull in behind you, swing around, and park.

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PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

When fueling up, choose a pay-at-thepump station, so you can stay with your horse and get back on the road quickly.

Fueling Up When hauling your horse long distances, plan ahead so you can choose the best place to fuel up.

Then follow these tips.

• Pay at the pump. Choose a pay-at-the-pump station, so you can stay with your horse and get back on the road quickly.

• Choose large gas stations. Avoid small, crowded gas stations that you might not be able to get out >> Fall 2022

of, especially if someone parks in backing. On the road with your front of you. Look for truck stops horse, follow these tips. on long hauls.

• Drive with a buddy. If you • Pull through. Pull through to can, find a travel buddy who the last pump, preferably on the can jump out and help you outside line of pumps with your maneuver. gas tank on the correct side.

• Relax. In a sticky situation, relax.

• Face out. If you can, orient your Breathe. Know that you’ll figure tow vehicle facing out, so you out a way to get back on the won’t have to back up or do too open road. much maneuvering if cars pull in • Develop a strategy. Take time after you. to figure out what you’ll do and • Check your horse later. While it’s how you’ll do it. Jump out of your a good idea to check your horse truck, if necessary. and trailer while you’re stopped, • Ask for help. If you’re driving move away from the pumps, and alone, don’t be afraid to ask find a safe, quiet location. someone to guide you from outside the vehicle.

Tight-Spot Techniques • Ignore others. Ignore others who The best way to gracefully ease out might be watching you—this of a tight spot is to improve your isn’t a performance. Focus on rig-driving skills at home. With ensuring that that your horse is an empty trailer, practice driving comfortable during the maneuthrough obstacles, turning, and ver and that you’re safe.

PHOTO BY REBECCA HUSTED

In drive-through fast-food outlets, make sure there’s enough clearance. Verify your rig’s height before you drive under low-clearance bars, so you don’t become stuck.

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PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

The best way to gracefully ease out of a tight spot is to improve your rig-driving skills at home. With an empty trailer, practice driving through obstacles, turning, and backing.

• Make small corrections. Go slow, and make several, short forward-and-reverse maneuvers.

In this way, you’ll eventually get into the clear. Don’t go too far into a tight spot in an attempt to create a way out, or you might be forced to wait until cars move or barriers are taken down to get free. USR

Rebecca Husted, PhD (animal physiology), is president and a primary instructor for Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue. A Major in the United States Army Reserve, she’s a decorated Iraq War veteran and a past Logistics Officer for the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinary Medical Assistance Team. She’s an invited lecturer on animal-rescue topics around the world and a noted equine journalist.

Fall 2022

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------------YOURHEALTHYHORSE------------

Seasonal Feeding When making seasonal adjustments to your horse’s diet, you’ll need to give his digestive tract time to adapt.

By Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD

Seasonal diet changes can cause challenges for your horse. Read on for steps you can take to safely transition your horse from summer to fall feeds.

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Fall 2022

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I

n the fall and spring, grasses grow (or regrow) at a rapid rate, which causes changes in their makeup.

If the they change composition too much, your horse can experience digestive upset. Even hay can significantly change composition according to the season, even if you feed the same kind of hay all year long.

Here, I’ll first explain why seasonal diet changes can cause challenges for your horse. Then I’ll give you six steps to take to help transition your horse from summer to fall feeds to minimize the risk of gut upset, including colic.

During the fall, the microbes in your horse’s digestive tract need time to adjust to nutrient changes in the grass, the addition of hay to the diet, and any fallen leaves the horse consumes. Watch for signs of digestive upset. the hind gut. The byproducts of that breakdown are actually what the horse then absorbs and turns into proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that the body can use.

Gut Bugs

Horses have evolved to handle a wide variety of vegetation in their diet, but there are a few key differences between the feral horse and the domesticated horse.

In the Wild Horses have evolved to handle a wide variety of vegetation in their diet, but there are a few key differences between the feral horse and the domesticated horse. A horse ranging freely in search of food consumes nutrients, such as carbohydrates and fats, in a very diluted form, because grasses and other plants are at least 75% water.

Wild horses also get a lot more exercise than domesticated horses, which is important to good gut function. We don’t really know exactly why, but research bears this out.

The dilution factor is important, because most gut upsets in the horse are related to the large intestine.

The horse’s large intestine is essentially a fermentation vat—like the four stomachs of a cow. Nutrients are first broken down by the bacteria and protozoa that live in USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

Each specific type of organism (and there are hundreds) will need a specific type of food to survive.

Some are better at using complex fibers. Some like simple sugars. Others will thrive on high protein. Still others will be intermediate forms and will further break down the products produced by other types of organisms. When the organisms receive a constant flow of foods to ferment in a high volume of fluid, they can adapt to changes much easier.

When a large “load” of fermentable food hits the hind gut all at one time, if it’s different from what the organisms are accustomed to handling, the result can be a rapid increase in the “bugs” that prefer that type of nutrient. This, in turn, can change the chemistry in the intestine and cause other forms of bugs to die off. Consequences for the horse range from poor utilization of feed (or some portions of it) to gas, mild distention, diarrhea, or full-blown colic.

If the large intestine becomes too acidic, as it can if unusually high amounts of sugar, starch, or complex plant sugars enter it, the lining can actually be damaged and bacterial toxins absorbed into the body. This can make the horse very ill. It can even cause laminitis.

Most people know you shouldn’t start, increase, or change grains rapidly. This is one of the most dangerous things you can do in terms of risking intestinal upset. However, what you may not realize is that changes in hay can be bad, too. >>

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In the fall and spring, young growths of grass are lower in slowly fermented fiber types and can have wide swings

in the amount of simple carbohydrate they contain. This change in composition can cause problems in your horse’s digestive tract.

Forage Variations

Seasonal-Feeding Guidelines

The large intestine is the major site for breakdown of hay. Even if you always feed the same type of hay, such as timothy, Bermuda grass, or alfalfa, not all hay is created equal. Different cuttings under varying growth

These guidelines can help you prevent feeding-related gut upsets as he experiences seasonal changes in his feed. ▶ Introduce grain feeding gradually, no more than 1 pound per feeding. ▶ Allow three days between each increase in grain to enable organisms to adapt. ▶ Don’t feed more than 4 pounds of grain at one time. ▶ Make changes in hay gradually, replacing from 10% to 25% of the old hay with the new variety; increase every three days. ▶ Accustom your horse to lush pastures gradually, especially if grass is growing rapidly (spring and some fall conditions).

Keep hay available for horses on young-growth pasture to provide complex and slowly fermented fiber, which the grasses may be lacking. USR

“Accustom your horse to lush pastures gradually, especially if grass is growing rapidly.” conditions and even different strains of the same type of forage, can vary by 100% or more in the level of rapidly fermentable nutrients they contain. Changing hay types risks dietary differences in both the levels and relative proportions of fermentables your horse’s system must adapt to.

In the fall and spring, young growths of grass are lower in slowly fermented fiber types and can have wide swings in the amount of simple carbohydrate they contain. Very high protein levels in young, growing pastures can also cause gut upset.

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD, is the owner of Equine Nutritional Solutions, a nutritional consulting firm.

An Honors Graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, Dr. Kellon completed her internship and residency in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery at the renowned University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center.

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------------ HAULING HINTS------------

Long Road Trips

By Julie Goodnight With Heidi Melocco Photos by Heidi Melocco

On long road trips, you need to consider your horse, your trailer, and your goals once you arrive. Here are expert tips from top trainer/clinician Julie Goodnight.

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all is a busy show and equestrian-adventure season, which can mean hours of traveling time for your horse. I’ve learned a lot of things to do (and not to do) over a lifetime of hauling horses. On long trips, you need to consider your horse, your trailer, and your goals once you arrive. Overall, you’ll feel more prepared when you make a plan that feels right for you. Here are five things to consider.

How your horse feels in the trailer may impact how you dress him up. If he’s new to trailering or you feel he may lose his balance, protect his legs with standing wraps. I like these wraps, because they stay in place during travel.

I might not wrap a horse if it’s a hot day or we’re going a short distance, and I’m fairly certain he’ll stand still and relax.

1. Observe Your Horse

2. Prep Your Trailer

First, observe how your horse travels in the trailer.

If he’s nervous and tends to fidget and shake, he’ll use more energy, get himself hot, and need frequent breaks.

Some horses are anxious when you’re not moving, but they do okay once you’re in motion. Consider hauling with a riding friend. A horse will always travel better with a buddy, and you’ll have driving help.

I can tell when one of my horses is comfortable in the trailer, because he stands still. There are few hoofprints in the shavings when we travel long distances.

When trailering a seasoned traveler, you can drive on a bit farther than with a nervous horse.

Next, prepare your trailer. The more comfortable it is, the longer you’ll be able to drive without taking a break.

If you have a slant-load with padded sides that your horse can lean against, he’ll be able to take a break from the stress of balancing. If you have an open stock-type trailer, he won’t have a chance to lean and may tire more quickly.

Think about how you’ll access your horse while on the road. Is it comfortable for him to eat in the trailer?

If you can access your horse’s head from a window, you can give him water and feed on the road without offloading, shortening your breaks.

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Fall 2022

>>

Add only a thin layer of shavings to absorb any urine and help prevent slips and falls. If you use too much, they’ll blow around and affect your horse’s air quality.

Here are a few more trailer-prep tips.

• Invest in a trailer cam. I suggest that you invest in a wireless trailer camera that you can monitor from your truck’s cab. Then you can check in on your horse along the way to see how he’s doing.

• Go light on shavings. Add only a thin layer of shavings to absorb any urine and help prevent slips and falls. If you use too much, they’ll blow around and affect your horse’s air quality. Shavings can also become slippery, so keep them at a minimum.

• Check ventilation. Make sure your trailer has adequate ventilation to support your horse’s lung health and overall comfort.

Make sure the roof vents are open and that air can circulate inside the trailer without the windows being open all the way.

You want airflow, but you don’t want your horse to be able to stick his head out the window.

• To tie or not to tie? There are advocates on both sides of this debate. I always tie my horse in the

Tie your horse with enough length in the rope that he can relax his head, but not so long that he can turn his head back behind him. He can catch a hoof in a too-long lead rope, which can lead to a serious injury. trailer, so I know where his head is. If I feel the trailer moving and feel him moving around, I know that there’s something wrong. I also like to know that I can get to my horse’s head to feed and water him, if needed. I want him to stay how I put him.

Of course, if you tie your horse, use only a halter designed to break away in an emergency. A rope or nylon halter likely won’t break if your horse pulls back, which can lead to injury or worse.

Tie your horse with enough length in the rope that he can relax his head, but not so long that he can turn his head back behind him.

He can catch a hoof in a too-long lead rope, which can lead to a serious injury.

3. Plan Your Drive Time Before you go, decide whether you’ll push to drive straight through or stop to rest and board along the route. From my place in Central Colorado, I have to trailer three hours just to get out of the mountains. My horses and I are

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If you’ll be gaining altitude, your horse will need at least 48 hours to rest and acclimate, especially if you’re going on a mountain trail ride. used to a moderately long trailer ride.

Plan ahead for a long trip.

Schedule rest stops, water breaks, and feeding times. Keep in mind that you’ll need to stop more often if your horse is nervous. Decide how many days you’ll be on the road, and arrange overnight stabling in advance.

Consider what you’ll ask of your horse when you arrive at your destination. Will you be arriving the night before a performance class or grueling trail ride, requiring him to work hard as soon as he arrives? If so, build in some downtime. Don’t push through and drive all at once, then ask your horse to immediately carry you over jumps or up a mountain.

Note that if you’ll be gaining altitude, your horse will need at least 48 hours to rest and acclimate, especially if you’ll be going on a mountain trail ride.

On the road, keep your horse in the trailer. During breaks along the route, park in a safe place, open the window, check on him, then >> Fall 2022

sit down and rest for a half hour.

You and your horse will both get a break from balancing while the trailer is in motion. When you stop for the day, offload your horse at your destination. Bring your own feed and water buckets to avoid contamination risk.

Optimally, I’d travel no more than eight hours per day. That allows me time to arrive early at the overnight accommodations I booked ahead of time. Only push through longer than this if your horse has time to rest when you arrive at your destination, he travels well, and your trailer is comfortable.

When I arrived, I’d make sure to take my horse on a nice leisurely walk to help his digestion and muscles. Horses aren’t made to stand still all day, so walking can help them relax.

With that plan, I’d stop every two hours, even if it’s only for 20 minutes. I’d open the windows and make sure the ventilation is okay.

I’d feel his chest to see whether my horse is too hot or cold, then make any necessary changes.

4. Consider Feed and Water If your trailer allows you to access your horse’s head, hang a haybag and water bucket when you stop to rest. If you can’t get to your horse’s head, you’ll be able to feed and water him only when you offload.

Hydration is vital to your horse’s health when you’re hauling a long distance. Bring a few five-gallon buckets with lids so your horse has some water from home that he’ll recognize and drink.

You’ll also need hay from home.

Your horse’s digestive system is designed to have food moving through his system throughout the

Avoid offloading your horse onto concrete or asphalt, where he can easily slip. And only offload him if you know he’ll load up again easily. day. He’ll tend to be healthy and relaxed when he has access to feed.

However, make sure that there’s adequate room in the trailer for your horse and the haybag. If you stuff a full hay bag in a slant-load, there will be little room for your horse to move. He won’t be able to relax his neck.

Short-trip tip: When you haul shorter distances (less than three hours), make sure your horse has eaten well before you start. If he gets into the trailer with a full belly, he won’t be thinking about food for an hour or two. Give your horse hay and water as soon as you arrive.

This also means he’ll have more room to move in the trailer without a space-limiting haybag.

5. Offload Safely Offloading along your route may seem like a good break for your

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horse, but it’s tough to find a safe place to unload and load safely if you’re not traveling a familiar route.

Avoid offloading your horse onto concrete or asphalt, where he can easily slip. And only offload him if you know he’ll load up again easily. If there’s any question about your horse’s intent to get back onboard, wait until you reach the overnight-stabling facility to unload him. Don’t do a trailer-loading training session along a busy highway.

If you plan to offload your horse, make sure that you have as many people with you as you do horses, so you have enough help managing your traveling herd. If I’m by myself, I want to get there as fast as I can and make sure I don’t have any incidents along the way. USR

Julie Goodnight trains horses and coaches horse owners to be ready for any event, on the trail or in the performance arena. After producing the popular RFD-TV series, Horse Master with Julie Goodnight, for 11 years, Goodnight now shares the world of horses through 2Horse Productions, and through appearances at clinics and horse expos throughout the United States. She also hosts her monthly horse training podcast, Ride On with Julie Goodnight.

Fall 2022

------------ GETAWAYS ------------

Catch Colorful Fall Foliage Hitch up, and enjoy stunning fall colors from the back of your horse.

By Audrey Pavia

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Riding through the crisp fall air surrounded by the reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn foliage is one of the most glorious experiences you can have on horseback.

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Fall 2022

>>

R

iding through the crisp fall air surrounded by the reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn foliage is one of the most glorious experiences you can have on horseback. Use our guide to enhance your leaf-peeping treks.

is relatively brief. Most trees don’t hold their colorful leaves for more than two weeks, at the most.

Peak-color dates depend upon several factors, including the current temperature, and the previous seasons’ weather patterns. A warm, wet spring; a moderate summer; and a fall with warm, sunny days and cool nights make for the best fall colors. Drought can serious-

the best colors. In the South and Southeast, the best colors in early November. In the mountains of the West, peak color is typically in September and October.

Consider the Weather

With fall colors comes autumn Know Your Leaves weather. While clear, crisp weather For the best experience riding is ideal weather for a fall ride, you in fall color, do your homework. may experience other weather sceLeaves turn narios. Some color at difof the more ferent times, popular riding depending on destinations the latitude for seeing fall and elevation. foliage offer Tree type deunpredictable termines color weather. variations and In the fall, peak times.

New England The pheis typically 45 nomenon of to 50 degrees fall foliage Fahrenheit happens only during the day. in deciduous While most trees, which fall days are are trees that pleasant and lose their sunny, some leaves in order New England to survive fall seasons are the winter. also wet and Evergreen chilly. trees—such as PHOTO BY KENT AND CHARLENE KRONE The South pines, sprucA general rule for catching peak color: The higher the latitude, the earlier fall leaves and Southeast es, cedars and change color. In the mountains of the West (shown), September and October offer are usually very firs—retain the most vivid colors. comfortable their leaves. during fall-fo(The mixture of evergreens and ly affect the colors’ timing and liage season, with dry, sunny days warm fall foliage can be stunning.) vibrancy. A general rule: The higher and temperatures in the 60s. HowTo catch colorful fall foliage, the latitude, the earlier fall leaves ever, hurricane season extends into find an area where deciduous trees change color. late fall. A hurricane is dangerous grow in large numbers. And the In New England and the upper and can tear leaves right off trees. trees must be of a species where Midwest, the leaves are typically In the Rocky Mountains and the leaves turn yellow, orange, or at their peak color in middle to the upper Midwest, fall weather red before they drop off, instead of late September, or early October, can be glorious. Cool, crisp air is a just turning brown. The duration depending on the weather. In the mainstay, but this time of year also of time between when a leaf turns central Midwest and Northeast, the brings snowstorms and freezing color and when it drops off the tree middle of October usually shows temperatures. >> USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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Fall 2022

Choose Your Adventure

Staying close to home is convenient, but it might not feel like much of an adventure.

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Going on a road trip takes planning, but offers you an opportunity to ride on new trails and view spectacular fall colors.

You can choose to leaf-peep close to home, or you can plan a longer road trip. Here are a few pros and cons of each choice.

Close to home. The easiest way to see the colors of autumn on horseback is to go on a day or overnight ride close to home. If you live in an area where deciduous trees turn colors and drop their leaves in the fall, you just need to find a private facility or public land that allows horses and plan your trip.

On the plus side, you won’t need to take time off from work, you’ll save money on fuel, and you can plan your ride around your horse’s condition. You can also closely watch fall-foliage reports and trailer out on a day you know the colors will be at their peak.

Of course, the con of staying close to home is that you’ll probably be seeing the same trees in your own neighborhood. It may not feel like much of an adventure.

Road trip. If you’re looking to view fall foliage you’ve never seen before, a trip farther from home is in order.

Opting to take your own horse means considerable planning. Book accommodations for you and your horse well in advance of your trip. Check the rules and regulations for your chosen destination. Make sure your horse is in condition for the type of riding you’ll be doing.

While all this requires planning—along with plenty of driving—the rewards are great. You’ll have an opportunity to ride on new trails and view spectacular fall colors.

If you’d rather leave your equine friend at home, consider a riding vacation instead. A variety of resorts, ranches, and outfitters are available in areas known for beautiful fall foliage, and will provide you with a mount well-suited to the terrain.

Fall Trip Tips

Fall trails can be a real joy. But fall can also bring seasonal trail hazards, including frost, slippery leaves, deep puddles, and thick mud.

USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you embark on a fall-foliage riding tour.

Invest in fall riding wear. Fall weather can vacillate from warm to chilly, or dry to wet, depending on where you are and the time of day. Dress in layers. Tie a duster or rain slicker on your saddle’s cantle for sudden downpours.

Prepare your horse. Fall is a great time to ride, because the air is cool, making trail trekking easy on your horse.

If the summer heat has kept you from riding much, slowly build up your horse’s condition over a few weeks >>

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Fall 2022

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Cool, fall days are perfect for trailering, but check road conditions before you leave. before you take him on a long fall ride.

Pack your saddlebag. Carry a rain cover for your helmet, a jacket, gloves, lip balm, and sunscreen.

Invest in a waterproof cover for your cellphone so it doesn’t get wet in fall rains and mists. Also pack a small thermos filled with a warm beverage.

Trailer safely. Cool, fall days are perfect for trailering, but check road conditions before you leave; fall hailstorms and snowstorms aren’t uncommon in certain parts of the country. At your destination, park your trailer in a dry area so your horse doesn’t slip during unloading and loading.

Watch for trail hazards. Trails in the fall can be a

real joy. But fall can also bring seasonal trail hazards, including frost, slippery leaves, deep puddles, and thick mud. If it’s been raining, bridges can be wet and even icy, making it hard for your horse to keep his footing. Be aware of trail conditions, and ride slowly over slick terrain.

Watch for wildlife. Fall can be a busy time for wildlife.

Autumn is mating season for deer, moose, and elk; males can be more aggressive than usual. If you come across one of these animals on the trail, keep your distance. Bears are also more active in the fall as they prepare for winter hibernation in colder areas. Don’t let bears or any wildlife feel cornered. Most wild animals will run away from a horse unless they feel like they can’t get away.

Watch for hunting hazards. Fall is hunting season in many areas of the country. Avoid riding in areas that are popular hunting spots. If you do ride where hunting is allowed, wear a bright-orange vest, and apply bright-orange wraps to your horse’s head and legs. Avoid white tack, clothing, or gloves; a hunter may mistake a flash of white for a deer’s tail. USR

Audrey Pavia is an award-winning equine journalist and competitive trail rider based in Norco, California.

She’s the author of Trail Riding: A Complete Guide.

WATCH. LEARN. RIDE.

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Fall 2022

------------ USRIDERMEMBERSTORY------------

Breakdown in the Boondocks

This horse owner’s truck became too damaged to drive in a remote area. USRider sent help quickly.

By D. Lee

USRider Member D. Lee travels to remote areas for horseback field trial events. Shown is his rig in Northern Arizona. His truck broke down in a remote area near the Wyoming/Montana border.

Let me start by saying that I’m not what most would consider a “normal” horse traveler. I do field trials on horseback. We conduct our pointing dog field trials well into the boondocks, far away from the hazard of vehicles. Therefore, my destinations are almost always remote locations USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion

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where our events are conducted.

Several years ago, I learned that the normal road-service outfits wouldn’t tow my horses, so I added the USRider Equestrian Motor Plan to my travel resources. The following incident was my first call for assistance. >> Fall 2022

USRider Member D. Lee’s dogs at a training camp in Montana.

Bad News

Prompt Help

One fall, I was camping at a remote training camp about 30 miles from Sheridan, Wyoming, just across the Montana state line. A broken stirrup leather sent me to town for quick repair. On the trip back to camp, about a mile from our camping area, my truck started making a very loud noise in the area of the driveline. I was able to limp into camp.

When I looked underneath my truck, I found that the carrier bearing was badly damaged and the drive shaft had nearly exited the transmission. My truck wasn’t drivable.

We had no cellphone service at camp, so a friend drove me about four miles to a hill where we were able to make calls. Our first call was to the Dodge dealership in Sheridan to get an idea as to when they might be able to do a repair.

The news wasn’t good: “Maybe in a couple of days.”

We asked them who could tow us in and were told to contact a particular towing service in Sheridan.

Our next call was to USRider for emergency assistance. Right from the beginning, we were put at ease by the first question from the Member Care Specialist, who said, “Are you and your animals safe?”

We told our rep that we were all well, but that our vehicle needed a tow to Sheridan for drive line

“Our Member Care Specialist stayed with the calls until all matters were handled, acting in a calm, professional manner at all times. ” repairs. She asked for our location, and we told her that we were in a remote area near the border of Montana and Wyoming, near Sheridan.

We told our rep that a recom-

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mended towing service could likely haul us in. She asked for a call-back number. We explained that we couldn’t count on a call back, as we were barely able to get a phone signal.

Our rep asked us to stay on the line while she made some arrangements. In less than 10 minutes, she was back on the line. She explained that the recommended towing service wouldn’t have been able to even speak with her for 20 minutes, so she’d contacted another towing company in Sheridan that could do the job.

We gave the towing-service driver directions to our camp and asked him if he knew of an independent shop that could possibly get to our repair faster than the dealership. He referred us to a good shop located next door to the dealership. We contacted the shop, and they told us they could get on our vehicle the next morning.

Our Member Care Specialist stayed with the calls until all matters were handled, acting in a calm, professional manner at all times.

She was a great comfort and should be applauded for her exceptional abilities.

‘Very Impressed’ As I mentioned, this was my first call to USRider for emergency assistance. I was very impressed with the promptness, competence, and professionalism the Member Care Specialist provided.

There were four others at our training camp. When the story was passed on to them, they all planned to become Members, just as I’d done when told of USRider by a fellow field-trial competitor.

Thank you again for being there when we really needed you. USR Fall 2022

------------ROADGEAR------------

Equestrian Essentials Reflective Riding Gear

PHOTOS BY SUSHIL DULAI WENHOLZ

As the days become shorter, visibility horseback becomes more critical, both at home and on the road. High Visibility Sportswear, from the British manufacturer Equisafety, helps you and your horse stand out in varying light conditions, as well as under headlights and street lights. Styles include a waterproof, windproof, breathable jacket; a breathable waistcoat; and waterproof equine leg boots (one size fits all). Some apparel items offer an optional back sign for roadside riding that read “Please Pass Wide and Slow.”

The products are available in bright yellow, orange, and pink, and feature reflective and fluorescent properties.

Horse-Chore Boots

Healthy Treats

Tired of the mud and muck ruining your leather boots? The rubber Quatro® Boots from Bag Man LLC are ideal for horse chores while traveling with your horse, as well as at home, as you clean stalls and work around the barn.

The boots feature the company’s multilayered Quatro Comfort System orthotic footbed, along with a tapered mud-releasing outsole. Available in insulated, non-insulated, and extreme insulated models.

Lure your horse into the trailer with Omega Fields’ Nibblers Low Sugar & Starch treat supplement, a nutritious, Omega-3 treat supplement for horses in all life stages. The treats contain 63 percent less sugar and starch than the original Omega Nibblers treats, and they are low in non-structural carbohydrates. The heart-shaped treats are made from stabilized ground flaxseed and other natural, nutritious ingredients. Choose apple or peppermint flavoring.

All-Terrain Hoof Boot Protect your barefoot horse’s hooves during fall travels. The all-terrain Trek hoof boot from Cavallo features a pull-tab for easy hoof insertion. The boot’s upper is made from the company’s abrasion-resistant, shock-protecting, lightweight Pro Mesh material; a soft foam collar protects your horse’s fetlock. The sole is designed to take pressure off your horse’s frog, sole, and bars, while drainage slots reduce mud and debris buildup. A replaceable hook-and-loop closure system prolongs the life of the boot. The boot is available individually or in pairs in Regular and Slim sole size; options allow you to customize the fit.

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Fall 2022

OnDemand.HorseandRider.com

Sign up r o f y a d to E E R F r yo u t r i al !

NEW SERIES!

Barrel Racing Fundamentals with Shali Lord Rider Fitness with

Kelly Altschwager

PLUS: More Insights with Bud Lyon and Brad Barkemeyer

Benefits of Membership

Being an insider has its benefits. When you sign up for Horse&Rider OnDemand, you’ll receive the following perks. Weekly video releases from Brad Barkemeyer and Bud Lyon. Access to a video library pre-stocked with more than 80 clips to help with all aspects of horsemanship. A year subscription to Horse&Rider magazine. Free access to digital back issues of Horse&Rider magazine. Members-only content and offers. Plus much more!

START YOUR FREE TRIAL NOW at OnDemand.HorseandRider.com

------------ USRIDERBENEFITS------------

USRider Member Benefits Holiday Gift Ideas As a USRider Member, you can enjoy money-saving discounts through Winner’s Circle Advantage.

You may access these benefits directly through the Members Area of the USRider website, as well as through the brochure you’ll find enclosed in membership kits and renewal mailings. The brochure features instructions and access codes for

quick shopping access with all our Winner’s Circle Partners. With so many discounts, you can easily save the cost of your annual membership fee, and more! This issue, we spotlight holiday gift ideas for your favorite equestrian. For more information on referrals and for more Member discounts, click here.

Peace of Mind You enjoy all the benefits that come from a USRider Equestrian Motor Plan membership, including emergency roadside assistance, travel benefits, and Winner’s Circle Advantage discounts. Share the gift of peace of mind with your favorite horseperson with a USRider Gift Membership.

Just go to the USRider website, log in, and click on Give a Gift Membership. Bonus: Your own USRider membership will be extended by one month for each gift membership you give.

PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

Muddy Creek Rain Gear Muddy Creek Rain Gear is washable, lightweight, breathable, waterproof, and packable. All the gear has been field-tested extensively on horseback. The Long Raincoat (shown) is designed to cover your entire saddle and saddlebags, and all the way down your legs as you ride.

The coat is fully lined and features a detachable hood. USRider Members receive free shipping on all orders.

MDC Stirrups The revolutionary, patented design of MDC Intelligent Stirrups gives the rider a competitive advantage, increased security, comfort, and safety in a common-sense ergonomic design. Secure angles of traditional 45 or 90 degrees customize your ride and reduce leg burns. The MDC Ultimate Stirrup (shown) has a hinged footplate for a softer, shock-absorbing feel, while the MDC Comfort Stirrup has a traditional footplate and appearance. Both models come in a stainless-steel or satin-black finish. USRider Members receive free shipping.

Barmah Hats Barmah Hats—The Original Outdoor Hats—are committed to using only the finest materials and producing its own Australian-made leathers. According to the manufacturer, Barmah Hats has developed the most versatile and durable range of outdoor hats on the market. Many Barmah Hats are handmade in Minnesota. USRider Members receive a 5% discount and free shipping on orders over $50.

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Fall 2022

------------HANDYCHECKLIST------------

Equine-Expo Tips

Use these valuable tips to get the most out of your next expo adventure.

By Heidi Melocco Equine expos around the country offer clinics, seminars, exhibitions, and more. You can hitch up and take your own horse for in-the-saddle learning. Expos also offer prime trailer-shopping opportunities. Here’s a planning checklist to enhance your next expo experience.

■ Plan early. Target the expo you’d like to attend, then frequent its website, and sign up for any e-newsletters so you’ll know when it’s time to download and print out a final seminar schedule. Then you can start making your travel plans.

■ Book your room. If you’ll be staying in a hotel, book your room early. Before you make your reservation, first identify the event’s host hotels, which typically offer discounts. It’s best to make hotel reservations 60 days in advance to take advantage of potentially discounted rates.

■ Choose your clinics. Carefully review the clinic and seminar choices, and choose the sessions most relevant or appealing to you. First, look for clinicians that you know and admire, then look at the topics to see whether something catches your eye. Take time to critique your current riding, training, and horse-care know-how, and make a list of topics you’d like to know more about.

■ Bring your own horse. Many horse expos will allow you to “ride with the stars.” If you’re interested in a hands-on clinic, make arrangements with the clinician well in advance of the expo. If signups are available onsite, sign up as soon as you arrive.

■ Pack up. Pack comfortable shoes and clothing, and a rolling bag for shopping items. Keep your cellphone handy to take videos of clinics and seminars. Also bring cash for cash-only expo expenditures.

■ Divide and conquer. If there are two desirable seminars scheduled at once, ask a friend attend your second choice, then share notes.

■ Speak up. Visit trainers and clinicians in their booths; they want to talk to you. You’ll find that top trainers/clinicians are kind and realistic horsepeople. Find out when your favorite clinicians’ will be available to answer questions and/or when they might be making a guest appearance in another booth.

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PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

Hitch up and take your own horse to a nearby expo for in-the-saddle learning. Many horse expos will allow you to “ride with the stars.”

PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

Equine expos offer prime trailer-shopping opportunities.

PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

Carefully review the clinic and seminar choices, and choose the sessions most relevant or appealing to you.

Fall 2022