Tips On Travelling Your Horse

Have you ever thought of hiring a horsebox.if not, we have and its almost impossible so here are a few tips to consider of when thinking of buying or hiring;

Did you know that horses get stressed?

Exactly, that's what we thought you have to be kidding me but yes believe it or not stress afflicts us all!

So what is the ultimate stress in your horses life?

Travelling primarily or anything that alters their preferred state of living outdoors, eating copious amounts of grass and living with friends, preferably in a herd.

So why travelling?

This knowledge has been gathered by the research completed by others, far more qualified than us! Horses suffer stress whilst travelling due to improper handling and poor driving techniques. Now it seems that those of us that understand the complexities of horse management, fully appreciate the impact of speed and horses jammed into a horsebox or trailer.however.

Did you know the impact of stress on horses?

Well we've found out for you and the effects primarily depends on the duration and intensity of the stress inflicted but the impact effects some horses capacity to grow, reproduce, train, perform and maintain health which includes breathing!

Why?

Apparently, forward facing stalls showed under study conditions that stress levels increased in horses due to the physical demand of maintaining balance (WARAN, et al,1996). Stress increased during decelerations and accelerations of driving. Stress levels recorded at their highest at the beginning of their journey and stabilised 15 minutes into the journey, as horses adopted the motion of the horsebox (SMITH, et al,1994).

So what can you do to help alleviate your horses stress whilst travelling?

Firstly, horseboxes need to be stable, the suspension capable of carrying the weight of the load and built to carry horses, safely. Servicing boxes is vital and if in doubt, ask the RAC, AA or Horsebox and Trailer Association to check your box or trailer on your behalf.

Preferably horses naturally travel sideways or backwards, as this allows them to establish a "buttress" position, each foreleg splayed allows your horse to easily retain balance by exerting thrust with one leg or the other. In order to establish this position your horse needs to be in a position to wedge each hoof against an edge or wall.

• Drive slowly and ensure you practice changing gear, accelerating and decelerating smoothly.
• The humidity and temperature of the stalls rise quickly when the vehicle is closed and stationary, so when ever possible open all windows and when stationary open the back ramp, as soon as is practically possible.
• Stop regularly to offer horses water especially when travelling on long journeys classified as being over 5 hours.
• Always prepare your horse appropriately for travelling, as sweating can lead to horses getting cold quickly and rubbing or falls can cause no end of discomfort and long-term damage.
• Lastly, disinfect all stalls after use. Infections and viruses spread quickly and prevention is far better than cure, for your horse, your time and expense.

At Trevelyan we have spent months investigating the ultimate horsebox for horse and rider. We've researched the best possible stall positions, ventilation and safety standards and even tested a number of boxes on the current market, including trailers.

We selected Prescott Horseboxes based on their attention to detail, quality of stalls and their total understanding of ensuring the health and safety of horses and their riders. This is why. when you hire one of our boxes we've thought of everything!

We guarantee that every box is disinfected after every use, that horses are provided with the opportunity to establish a safe "buttress" position, offering your horse an opportunity to settle and eliminate stress as quickly as possible. Each stall has a window that offers light and ventilation, as well as galvanised surfaces that are easily sanitised and thick rubber floor matting to securely allow each horse to feel safe whilst travelling.

When it comes to handling why not transport your horses yourself, all our boxes are simple to drive and you'll ensure your horse has a happy journey, every time. Less stress improves performance and that applies to both horse and rider, so contact us anytime and we'll happily discuss your requirements anytime.

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