Packing a Horse Trailer: What You Need for Trail Rides and Show Days
You and your horse can travel less stressed if you take the time to pack for a show or trail ride. Maintain a first aid kit that is well-stocked with supplies like liniment and fly spray, as well as an extra halter and lead rope. Try brief caravan rides and a few sessions where you back your horse down the ramp rather than onto it if he has trouble loading.
Water
Hey
Hay can keep your horse happy and active when travelling in a caravan. Make sure, though, that you pack enough for the entire vacation.
It's also crucial to remember that hay quality varies by area, so you might want to research online in advance to see what kind of feed will be offered at rest areas along your trip or at your final destination.
To allow for head movement, make sure the stall or compartment in your trailer is raised a few inches above the top of your horse's withers. For more ventilation, you should also get a slant-load trailer.
Consume
Since horses are prey and have a fight-or-flight response, they frequently feel cramped and imprisoned in trailers. Desensitising them will help them become more confident.
Make sure to circle the caravan during the sending exercise to help your horse get used to it on all sides. Showing horses that they can control their feet by sending them all around the trailer can show them that it doesn't matter where they are, as many horses will try to avoid the trailer by going to the side.
A fully packed first aid kit for your horse (as well as one for you!) and an extra halter and lead line are also essential items to bring.
First Aid Packages
First aid supplies that are portable are essential whether you're travelling to a show, performing in a rodeo, or riding a trail. Having extra kits for your saddlebag and caravan improves your chances of having the proper prescription on hand when you need it.
As you won't have to scurry around looking for your thermometer, sterile wraps, and other necessities on show day morning, having a fully equipped kit in a designated tote or backpack can also help reduce stress. Additionally, always have copies of your horse's health certificate and Coggins up to date. These documents could be needed in order to board at a different facility.
Bins & Totes
Finding show-day supplies in a mad dash in the morning before the show can be extremely stressful. Keeping your caravan organised can help reduce this extra stress.
Labelling each item with its designated tack and using totes and boxes are crucial for maintaining tack organisation. Putting a whiteboard on your trailer door to note important dates, class schedules, or broken equipment is also a good idea.
In order to save space and avoid wrinkles, Coffey rolls her clothes tightly instead of folding them and stores them in plastic drawers in her living area trailer. She also has a collapsible wash bag that she uses for saddle pads and used wraps.
Display your clothes
A stress-free show day is dependent upon a well-organised trailer. You really need a first aid kit that is well packed, a hay net that has been filled the night before, and a reusable bucket for water.
Neck sweats, extra wraps, and travel goodies for the riders are other things that can help a show run smoothly for both the horse and the rider. In addition, Lanoue advises bringing a collapsable laundry bag for soiled helmets, leg wraps, and other apparel.
Additionally, remember to include all of your horses' vital documents, such as identity, health certificates, and Coggins. Being safe is always preferable to being sorry.
