Transcript Travelling - EuskalHorse

Travelling
By Bea Meitiner
Maintenance of the Horse Box
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Tax and Insurance
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Test
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Plan ahead – don’t
want to interrupt
competitions.
Annually
Breakdown cover
Fittings
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Floors
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Partitions
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Offer protection from
treading on each other
Some use it for support
Headboards
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Non Slip – Rubber
Well Secured
Prevent horse making
contact – prevent fights
Tie Rings
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Quick release rubber
covered chain.
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Windows
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Ramp
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Strong, non slip and user
friendly.
Lockers
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Ventilation
Secure
Rug racks
Internal Lights
Water tanks
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Keep fresh water in
Drain during winter
Trailers
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Common with one horse owners
Safety:
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Check towing equipment regularly
Towing hitch in excellent condition. Towing vehicle
muct match in height and size.
Check electrical fittings before each journey
Jockey wheel in good working order
Tyres should be checked regularly
Doors should open easily.
Correct number plate.
Preparation of Horsebox for
Travelling
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Vehicle mechanically in good working order
Check oil and water
Sufficient diesel to get to nearest service station.
All fittings in good working order
Partitions fitted for number and size of horses.
Water tanks freshly filled.
Haynets filled.
Put down bedding – encourage horse to stale.
In long journey might be necessary to feed.
Space requirements stated by
DEFRA
Adult Horses
0.7 x 2.5m
Young Horses (6 to 24 months)
(Journey up to 48 hours)
0.6 x 2.0m
Young Horses (6 to 24 months)
(Journey over 49 hours)
Ponies (under 144cm)
1.2 x 2.0m
Foals (0 to 6 months)
1.0 x 1.4m
0.6 x 1.8m
Preparation for Bad Travellers
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Important to know your own horse.
Partition may need extra padding.
Try travelling horse in different part of lorry
May not be able to be left unattended.
Quick release knot.
Give haynet to try and settle him but careful
there isn’t any chance of him getting caught
up in it.
Preparation for Horses
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Headcollar
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Rope
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Leather – breaks easier.
Quick release clip
Strong and in good condition.
Suitable length
Poll Guard
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Optional, but recommended for
large horses, or those that are
head shy.
Preparation for Horses
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Rugs
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Horses change temperature frequently when
travelling so it might be necessary to change rugs
throughout the journey.
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Sweat Net: Used in very hot weather.
Cooler: Will also keep the horse warm.
Summer sheet: Suitable for horses that don’t sweat.
Day Rug: Clipped horses or in cold weather. If the horse
tends to sweat a cooler can be warn underneath.
Preparation for Horses
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Surcingle
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Tail Bandage
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Elastic
Rollers
Cross Surcingle
Care must be taken not to apply
too tight
For long journeys use a tail guard
instead.
Leg Protections
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Bandages – must be applied
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Knee/ Hock Boots – used on bad
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properly
travellers
Leg Wraps – quick and easy.
Over-reach boots
Health
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Stress
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Greater risk of infection
Digestive problems
Diarrhoea – dehydration
Colic
Dehydration
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Horses reluctant to drink
Give electrolytes.
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Sick Horses
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Best to avoid travelling
sick horses as it will
make matters worse.
Weight
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Many horses loose
weight during long
journeys
Preparation for Loading
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All preparations must be done prior to loading.
Difficult loaders may need to wear more than a
headcollar.
Horsebox must be parked in safe place.
Try and park on a downhill slope.
Avoid slippery surfaces.
Avoid loading in busy areas.
Always allow sufficient time for loading.
Open partitions as wide as possible.
If difficult loader, enclose the entry to the horsebox
as much as possible.
Loading
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Lead from the shoulder.
Make a wide approach to the ramp.
Good positive walk.
Walk up the ramp beside the horse.
If travelling sideways, pull his head
towards you and touch his girth area.
Once in correct place, tie him up and
close partition quickly.
Always use quick release knot.
If the horse is not experience, it is
advisable to have a assistant.
Once all have been loaded, one last
check and shut ramp PROPERLY.
Unloading
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Park in safe place.
Allow plenty of room so not to
have to turn horse to sharply
after unloading.
Let ramp down.
Open partition.
Untie horse and lead down the
ramp staying at his shoulder.
Never rush a horse.
Never stand in front of him.
Try and stay with the horse if he
rushes.
Care During Travelling
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Short Journeys
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Most horse travel
well
Advisable to have an
assistant
Bad traveller must be
checked regularly.
Not always
necessary to feed
haylage
Care During Travelling
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Main problems during travelling which
produce stress:
Temperature
Dehydration
Digestive Disorders
Unconfort
Injury
Avoiding Stress during long
journeys
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Temperature in the lorry
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Temperature of Horse
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Horses may change temperature regularly due to stress –
check regularly and rug up accordingly.
Drinking
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Don’t close ventilation if too cold – rug up!
May be reluctant to drink – offer every two hours
Try flavouring it – brown sugar
Give electrolytes
Eating
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Haylage better than hay.
If necessary to feed concentrates keep starch intake low.
Conclusion
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Most horses have to
travel nowadays,
specially competition
horses.
It is very important to
take great care during
travelling, so that it has
the minimum effect on
the horses performance
and health.
References
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Auty, I. (1998) The BHS Complete Manual of
Stable Management. Kenilworth Press Ltd,
Buckingham, UK.
Auty. I (2002) The BHS Training Manual for
Stage 3 and PTT. Kenilworth Press Ltd,
Buckingham, UK.
Pocklington, A. (2004) The Essential Guide to
Professional Horse Care. J.A.Allen, Clerknwell
House, London, UK.