Tips for Winter Travel with Horses

With winter upon us it's a good time to remember some simple safely tips for transporting your horse safely.

While transporting horses in winter is not all that different from any other time of the year,  you do need to make a few adjustments for transporting your horse in cold weather safely.  Here are a some pointers to help you get on the road.

Maintenance is a must...

Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving. Be sure to maintain your vehicle according to the manufacturer's service schedule. It's also important to take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic.

Top tyres

Make sure you check your tyre pressure before each trip. This is especially important when dealing with temperature changes. If you are travelling from a warm climate to a cold climate, air pressure in your tyres will drop.

Low tyre pressure will cause your tyres to heat up and wear out, this could leave you at risk of blow outs.  Conversely, when you are going from a cold climate into a warm climate, the air pressure will rise.  High pressure in tyres makes the ride in the trailer very bumpy for your horse.  This will jar your horse's joints and also the greater pressure in tyres can also lead to flat tyres and blow outs.

The main problems that occur with trailers are tyre blowouts from tyres that are under inflated. So buy a high-quality pressure gauge and learn how to use it properly. The correct tyre pressure should be stamped on the trailer's tyres, or contact the manufacturer for the details.

Power up

If your vehicle's battery is getting along in years, check it out before winter hits. You don't want to have to deal with it on a frosty morning when the battery decides to conk out.

Forecasting the Forecast

Always check weather reports before you leave on a trip, and allow extra time if the weather looks set to take a nasty turn.

Lighting up

It's also a good idea to drive with your lights on if you are towing a horse trailer regardless of the weather because of the increased visibility you will gain.

Back off buddy!

During wet weather, make sure you increase your following distances from the vehicle in front to allow more room to stop.

It's also important to scan ahead of you as drivers further down the road can alert you to road problems early and give you a longer reaction time.

Slippery when Wet

Be aware of the possibility of black ice, as it might not be visible as it forms on highways.

To help keep in control when roads are slick, slow down when approaching curves, ramps, bridges and intersections and avoid abrupt actions, such as quick lane changes, braking, and accelerating. Avoid using cruise control on wet roads.

Take extra precaution when snow removal equipment is being used on the roads. In some cases, the snowplow operator's vision might be reduced, so stay well clear of it.

Do you cover up?

One of the most confusing decisions when tailoring in the cold weather is whether to blanket your horse.

If the horse has a full winter coat and does well in daily life, it will not need a blanket for the trailer trip. In this case, open the roof vents and a few windows in the back so the air does not blow directly on your horse. If you have an open roofed trailer or one that you can't close the windows, a light sheet can protect the horse from the wind. If the horse is body clipped or does not have a heavy coat, it should wear the same weight blanket that it would normally wear, and vents and windows should be open.

Preparation is the trick!

Long-distance trips require a little more preparation. Be ready for driving through different temperatures. Pack blankets of different weights so you can change them as the weather changes during travel. Be sure the horse does not sweat too much, as it could get wet and become chilled. Also, the horse can lose water through sweat and become dehydrated so stop and offer water regularly.

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