Preparation for Shipment of Equine
Written by: Todd Moak

My opinions are based on my 14 years' experience as a nation-wide transporter and much that I have learned from my customers and their horses.

The following will provide information which addresses important issues in connection with transportation and which should prove helpful in the overall success of your horse's transportation experience. These topics could be discussed at great length. I will attempt to cover the most frequently discussed issues. My opinions are based on my 14 years' experience as a nation-wide transporter and much that I have learned from my customers and their horses.

Vaccinating and Worming
Horses should, in my opinion, be vaccinated and wormed one month before, but no later than two weeks before transport. Some horses will have a negative reaction to vaccinations and/or worming. This will allow time for the horse to recuperate and for the vaccinations to take affect.

Feeding
You should feed your horse in the usual manner until three days before shipment. Bran should be added to his feed at this time and corn oil should be introduced about three feedings before shipment. The bran and corn oil will act as a mild laxative, removing any hard stool that could possibly become an obstruction under stress.

There is a more intrusive method of doing this requiring a veterinarian to "oil" your horse by administering a large quantity of mineral oil via tube through the nose into the stomach. In most cases I very much disagree with this method for the following reasons: expense, development of very loose watery stool resulting in dehydration (very bad), the risk of penetrating the mucous membrane in the nasal passage which can result in infection in the respiratory system. In most cases a few dollars worth of bran and corn oil is safer and much more effective.

I strongly recommend sending hay that your horses are used to. It is a good idea to mix it with alfalfa for two reasons - extra food value while not on grain and good textured stool. Keep that stool moving!

There are products that help replace and maintain electrolytes and natural enzymes in your horses' digestive system. They come in paste form and I strongly recommend using these. Ask your veterinarian for more information.

Brooms, whips, shovels, rakes
Please, leave these in your tack room when I show up! Having loaded every imaginable breed and age of equine, I have devised and adopted several techniques that often take more time, but, in the end, are quite a bit less stressful on our good friends. Remember, we want this to be a positive experience for our horses. My techniques are a result of cumulative knowledge from 14 years' experience.

If your horse has never loaded before or has had a previous bad loading or trailering experience, there is nothing you need to do. I would much rather deal with a first time loader or problem shipper using my techniques. I am confident that the horse (and his owner) will benefit and progress in this area after I have loaded and transported the horse. Many people have small trailers and poor methods of loading which result in bad experiences for horses and owners. When it comes to loading and trailering, lack of experience is much better than previous bad experience.

Tranquilizers
There are a lot of "needle happy" transporters out there. I probably sedate one to three horses a year, on average. The candidates for this, in my opinion, include breeding stallions with no manners who really want to kill me (there are very few of these) and horses with no prior handling of any kind. However, I believe that even most of these can be dealt with by proper handling and patience - with no sedation.

Of course, the effects of sedation are only temporary and the horse will have to be dealt with all over again. Sedation during transport, from my observations, also results in a high incidence of respiratory complications. On the other hand there are many products on the market (in paste form or that can be added to feed) that are all natural. These calming agents are sometimes helpful and are never harmful.

Bumpers, wraps, velcro shipping boots, bell boots, etc.
I don't claim to be a "horse whisper", but I am a listener. If your horse could talk, he would tell you: "They're hot. They make my head and legs sweaty. I itch and I can't scratch, so I stomp and kick." Of course most hunter-jumper horses are born with all this stuff, so this doesn't apply to them most of the time! However, I still end up taking this stuff off.

There are some cases of "kickers" or horses with ailments that require the use of these protective devices. Always remember: comfort, comfort, comfort. Let's help these horses be as comfortable as possible. They will eat, drink, relax and show up happy - not thirsty, thin and sick.

After writing this article, I realize I have only scratched the surface. If you have any questions, feel free to call me regardless of who is moving your horse. I enjoy sharing my knowledge if it can help you and your horse have a better trip!

Article written by and reporduced with permission by Todd Moak of Quality Horse Transfer in Beaumont, Texas.

To contact Todd email info@qualityhorsetransfer.com