Getting Ready to Hit the Road!

Preparing the Horse Trailer

Whether you are planning a trip to your favorite trails or to the first horse show of the season, you want to be
prepared to hit the road in your horse trailer.
The first thing you’ll want to do is clean out all the dust, dirt and
cobwebs that gathered in there during the long winter. Grab a rake, a pitchfork, a broom, and a muck
bucket and get to work. First, rake out
any old hay and sawdust from the inside of your trailer. Then pick out any messes your horse left
behind last time you used your trailer.
Grab your broom and sweep out the cobwebs and dust from the trailer and
tack room area. Finally, hook eZall
truck and trailer wash to your hose and start spraying! This is a quick and
easy way to wash away any caked on mud and manure, leaving your trailer sparkling clean. http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?groupcode=EB00044

Getting Your Horse Ready for the Trailer

Once your trailer is clean, its time to make sure your trailer is stocked with all the basics. For starters, you’ll need a set of trailer ties for each space in your
trailer. You will also need a good hay
net to for each horse. Make sure you
purchase hay nets that are easy to fill, and that your horse won’t become
tangled up in, such as this one. http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?ic=EB00116R

Carry water in jugs or five-gallon buckets to keep your horse hydrated during longer rides, or if there will not be a reliable water source when you arrive at your destination.
Pack enough feed and hay for the duration of your trip. Check out these E-Z bucket tops for a great
way to store feed and other supplies during your journey. http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?groupcode=HS00002

Always be prepared for an emergency. Every horse trailer should be equipped with a complete Equine First Aid Kit. The Equimedics Complete Small Trailering Kit will meet most of your emergency needs while you travel down the road with your
horse.

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Now that your trailer is clean and ready to hit the road, its time to get your horse ready to travel. It is best to ship your horse in a leather halter, as nylon will not
break if it gets caught on something in the trailer. It is better to have a broken halter than a
broken horse! For added protection, and
to avoid rubs, use a leather halter with sheepskin, such as this one from
Perri’s Leather. http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?groupcode=PE00263

Always remember to carry an extra halter and lead road in your trailer in case one breaks.

Helmets are not just for riders! To keep your horse’s head safe in the trailer, we recommend using a head bumper. This one is a favorite among our Facebook fans. It snaps right onto the halter, so you can
put it on or take it off without having to remove the halter. The straps are
adjustable and elastic, allowing it to fit a wider range of head sizes. http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?groupcode=CC00175

It is essential to protect your horse’s legs during travel. Some people prefer quilts and wraps for the added support they provide.
However, these can be difficult to apply correctly and sometimes do not
provide enough coverage. A great
alternative is a good set of shipping boots, which protect the entire leg as
well as your horse’s hooves. They have
the added benefit of being easy to put on and take off. http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?groupcode=ER00945

The coronary band area is the place most susceptible to injury as your horse shifts around to keep his balance. If your wraps or shipping boots do not cover this area, consider using a pair of boots like these. http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?groupcode=BC00085 In addition to protecting the coronary band,
these will prevent your horse from pulling off his shoes in the trailer.