By Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.

If we were to visit about your horse’s health, the first thing I would ask of you is to describe your horse’s typical day. I’d want to know how much space he has, if he’s locked inside a stall all day, it he gets exercise, if he has a buddy, if he has freedom to run and buck and express himself. And I haven’t even asked a word about what he is eating!

Certainly, we need to talk about things like too much sugar, or not enough protein, or vitamins that are missing in his diet. But not just yet…

We must first address an aspect of his health that is so simple; it seems so trivial and unimportant, and hardly ever talked about. His DIGESTIVE TRACT. That’s what makes him happy! Why? Because if we don’t pay attention to this area, he will be in pain – it’s hard to smile when you’re in pain. If we don’t pay attention to what is living in his cecum and colon (hindgut), he will get ill easier, and it’s hard to buck and run when you’re sick. And, you may not be aware of this, but the intestines produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good chemicals. Sick intestines? Unhappy horse.

To have a horse who enjoys life, you must pay attention to both his brain, and his digestive system. They are intertwined. Here are five important considerations to make this happen.

Offer companionship

Horses are never alone by choice. The protection of another herd member is a means of survival against threats, real or perceived. Without a companion, your horse may not sleep sufficiently. Yes, horses do nap standing up, but they require at least 20 minutes per day lying completely prone. Even a herd of two is fine; one horse is allowed to take a deep nap, while another watches over for predators. This is how horses survive. Sleep deprivation is a real threat to horses who are alone, and it can lead to many physical ailments.

Provide room to roam

Horses are naturally claustrophobic and when kept in a confined space, can feel anxious and fearful. When faced with a threat, horses do not stick around and fight; instead, they flee! Without an opportunity to do so, they internalize their fate and can develop negative behaviors and habits, and well as suppressed immune function. They frequently become mentally depressed, as well.

I realize that many horses need to be kept indoors for a variety of reasons. I know you love your horse, and I ask that you provide opportunities for him/her to be outdoors, with breaks in the day to graze, walk, and merely enjoy the fresh air as much as is feasible. Your horse will thank you.

Movement is critically important to prevent several health problems[1]. We all know the benefits of exercise, including weight management, increased bone mass, improved circulation of nutrients, and keeping the horse fit. But standing in one place can impact your horse’s mental well-being, potentially leading to unattractive and even dangerous behaviors.

Remove pain from the equation

Pain is miserable. One of the most common reasons for pain in unhappy horses is ulcers. The reason this is so prevalent has to do with the horse’s stomach physiology.[2] Your horse’s stomach secretes acid every minute of every day, even when empty. A horse who goes for more than two to three hours with nothing to chew on will more than likely develop an ulcer somewhere throughout the gastrointestinal tract.

Interestingly, a horse who is accustomed to living freely, and is suddenly placed in a stall, will develop a gastric ulcer within a week. This can happen, for example, when a horse is sent off to a facility for training. In my experience, these horses come back home in very poor condition, and it takes a lot of effort to get them back to health.

Ulcers are preventable. End of story. And not by giving a horse omeprazole like it is candy. The horse’s digestive tract is designed to have forage always flowing through it! Do we respect that? We are so afraid of our horses becoming overweight that we destroy their insides. Know this undeniable truth: Forage restriction is highly stressful. Stress = Cortisol production = Increase in Insulin = Body fat storage. I have written numerous articles on the subject that I hope you’ll take to heart.[3]

As a side note, you may want to evaluate your horse for potential ulcers by watching a video by Dr. Mark DePaolo on palpating acupuncture points.[4]

Pain from other sources can often be managed through providing nutraceuticals, instead of drugs.[5] Anti-inflammatory agents such as curcumin and Boswellia, and CBD[6] are worth trying. Avoid inflammatory foods such as soy (unless it is organic), soybean, corn and other vegetable oils (high in inflammatory omega 6s) and feeds high in preservatives.

Respect the horse’s instincts

When we see images of wild horses running free, we all experience the hush, the chill, and the awe of their power and magnificence. That is Nature at her best – allowing these incredible animals to live as they are intended. Why is it that we don’t see our own domesticated horses in the same way? Why is it that we think we can confine them to a small area for hours at a time, give them a few “square meals” each day and expect them to be normal, physically, and mentally? Are they not the same horse species that long ago lived a different life?

Interestingly, we don’t see endocrine-related laminitis when horses are wild and free to feed themselves. But we do see insulin resistance, and that’s a blessing in the wild. Insulin resistance is the body’s way of avoiding starvation. During a harsh winter, when the food supply is sparse, horses will hold on to body fat to help them endure the season. They do this by having an elevated blood insulin level. When insulin is high, the cells cannot release fat. This is a survival mechanism. We duplicate this scenario when we restrict forage. The horse responds the same way – he is in survival mode! And he holds on to body fat.

It takes time, sometimes lots of it, to overcome this “winter is coming” mentality that is created when hay is removed. It requires patience for their instincts to return. Know that it can happen.[7]

Offer whole foods to the diet

A whole food is one that is unadulterated or in its natural state; in other words, it has nothing added. There are no preservatives or fillers, so it’s whole in the sense that it is in the state nature intended. And with that comes all sorts of vitamins, proteins, and micronutrients.

Pasture grasses are the ultimate whole food. During growing seasons, they are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins C, D, and E, beta carotene, and prebiotics. Once cut, dried, and stored to make hay, however, the once healthy grasses now lose these precious nutrients, and supplementation is necessary.

If your horse’s main, or only source of forage is hay, then listen up! Hay is lousy nutritionally. Yes, it has some minerals, and some protein (though not of high quality), but your horse will develop nutritional deficiencies over time, age faster, and experience more degenerative conditions.

Whole foods are feedstuffs that you can offer to your horse to boost his overall health. Things like ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, and camelina oil (for omega 3s), hemp seeds (for protein quality), green bananas (for digestive and behavioral health), herbs (for digestive and immune health), colostrum (for leaky gut and inflammation)[8], as well as additional forages such as clean, organic alfalfa, sainfoin, and non-GMO beet pulp[9], can make your horse vibrantly healthy and happy.

Bottom line

The horse’s mind and the body are connected in such a way that what influences one has a dramatic impact on the other. Horses are very different than us, our pets, or even farm livestock, and those differences need to be honored. When we allow our equine friends to live in sync with their instincts and physiology, only then are we able to view their beautiful potential and majesty.

This article originally appeared on Getty Equine Nutrition and is published here with permission.

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by Kentucky Equine Research Staff

In addition to the host of intangibles involved in training horses, adding science to the mix may help improve a racehorse’s chance of success. According to a group of European researchers, measuring stride length and frequency—how far horses stretch their limbs and how fast they move their legs—during training could assist in race length selection.^*

To explore whether stride characteristics could help classify racehorses as sprinters or stayers, a wearable smart device was commissioned. The device recorded peak stride length and frequency as well as speed in a large cohort of racehorses during training sessions.

“In those race-speed training sessions, locomotory differences were detected, with sprinters having shorter strides of higher frequency than stayers,” explained Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., of Kentucky Equine Research.

In addition, peak stride length was found to be moderately heritable after reviewing three generations of pedigrees from included horses.

“A better understanding of individual stride characteristics could help racehorse professionals select suitable race distances, while also taking into account their own experience at placing racehorses in suitable meetings alongside other historical aspects of how racehorse conformation and pedigree information can influence such decisions,” according to the research team.

“In other words, not only will identifying whether a horse is more suited to shorter or longer races improve their chances of winning but also allow trainers to develop more specific training sessions,” Whitehouse noted. “Targeted training that considers speed, stride frequency and length, and biomarkers of fatigue may, in turn, promote longer careers and improve welfare on the track.”

Regardless of a Thoroughbred’s individual stride characteristics, all racehorses must withstand joint concussion during training and racing.

“Offer Synovate HA to keep those joints lubricated for friction-free movement and to maintain a healthy balance between cartilage growth and breakdown,” advised Whitehouse.

Synovate HA is a high molecular weight hyaluronic acid supplement that provides 100 mg per serving for targeted support to high-motion joints.

“A Kentucky Equine Research study showed horses supplemented with Synovate HA maintained their stride length during a high-speed treadmill training program compared to the control group,” she added.

^*Schrurs, C., S. Blott, G. Dubois, E. Van Erck-Westergren, and D.S. Gardner. 2022. Locomotory profiles in Thoroughbreds: peak stride length and frequency in training and association with race outcomes. Animals (Basel) 12(23):3269.

Reprinted courtesy of Kentucky Equine Research. Kentucky Equine Research is an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company serving horse owners and the feed industry. Our goals are to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, apply that knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses, and support the nutritional care of all horses throughout their lives. Learn more at Kentucky Equine Research.

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by Kristin Pitzer

In human athletics, proper joint care is an important part of staying healthy and competitive. Those that play sports know that a severe injury to a joint increases the likelihood of osteoarthritis, which can be career-ending. Conversely, protecting and taking care of joints can keep one on the court or in the field for a longer time.

The same is true in performance horses. Healthy joints reduce risk for damage when a horse stops hard, spins fast or turns sharply. Plus, as horses age, a good foundation in joint care can help protect them from future injuries and pain.

Quarter Horse News spoke with Dr. Gabrielle Solum, Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, to get the lowdown on joint care for performance horses.

Start at the Beginning

While some might believe only those with horses in high-intensity training programs need to worry about joint health, it is something every horse owner should think about, Solum noted. Joint care involves a variety of elements, and while the horse’s training program is one of them, it also includes the horse’s conformation, diet and health history.

These factors are important from the very beginning. In fact, those raising young horses should consider having a veterinarian examine their stock before they reach adulthood.

“There are a lot of horses that we see for lameness that have conformational abnormalities predisposing them to lameness, which may have been helped as foals,” Solum said. “These abnormalities as foals include tendon contracture or laxity, varas and valgus conformation, and club feet.”

Solum recommended radiographing young horses before they enter training to identify any abnormalities, like osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions or cysts, that can be helped with surgery. From there, routine veterinary exams can help identify any lamenesses early in the horse’s career.

Lighter Is Better

Many of today’s performance horses tend to be heavier weight-wise than recommended. This is because “fleshier” horses appeal to the eye more, Solum said. But putting heavy horses into intense training programs increases the risk of damage to their joints, along with other health concerns.

“Overfeeding [as foals] has been associated with development of physitis [inflammation of a growth plate] and OCDs,” Solum said. “Horses can be appropriately fed and maintain good nutrition without being overweight. As the horses enter training, overfeeding and obesity predisposes them to metabolic conditions.”

“Good nutrition is important so these horses have proper nutrition while they are not only maturing and growing, but also as they also enter their training program,” she added. “Typically, in Western performance horses, the majority of money-earning potential and athletic performance is completed while they are still skeletally immature. This, however, may not be the only cause of joint disease and lameness.”

A physically fit horse in “thoughtful” training may be able to extend its performance career, Solum said, noting a study in racehorses that found that the more starts a horse had as a 2-year-old, the longer its career tended to be. Therefore, she recommended more gradual increases in workload, rather than sudden, big changes, in addition to maintaining a horse at an optimal weight.

Take Care With Supplements

If you utilize a good diet, an appropriate training program and keep your horse at the proper weight, you can give it a good start on staying fit and healthy throughout its career. Supplementation with a joint care product might also give you a leg up, but if you choose to feed one, make sure to take a look at the ingredient list first.

“The use of supplements for joint health has been studied, but the results have been inconsistent and inconclusive for both symptom-modifying and disease-modifying effects,” Solum said. “If you are going to use a supplement, you should look for glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane [MSM] and omega-3 fatty acids.”

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are components of normal cartilage and appear to stimulate the production of more cartilage. Omega-3s fight inflammation, and higher levels in the synovial fluid, which lubricates joints, are associated with decreased joint pain. MSM is also an anti-inflammatory and supports the body’s ability to repair connective tissue.

Don’t Skimp on the Veterinary Exams

Regular veterinarian visits are important because if caught early, some things, like early joint disease, can be treated via therapeutic injections before they become a bigger problem.

“While excessive intra-articular steroids are not recommended at any age, leaving joints in an inflammatory state at any age can ultimately lead to joint degradation,” Solum said. “Utilizing low dose, thoughtful corticosteroid treatments or orthobiologics can help to protect the joint and also help the horse as training increases with preparation for the futurity and derby years.”

Other therapeutics, like polysulfated glycosaminoglycan and hyaluronic acid, can help modify symptoms as well. Should a horse develop a lameness or injury, professional rehabilitation, under veterinary supervision, could be necessary to help it regain core strength and return to training.

Continue Support Into Senior Years

Joint care doesn’t stop with the end of a horse’s limited-age years. As your horse ages, it will become even more important to maintain him or her at a healthy weight and monitor for systemic changes. But even if your horse loses some of its mobility and can’t compete at the highest levels anymore, that doesn’t mean its riding career has to completely end.

“Working closely with your veterinarian can help identify when therapeutic injections would be indicated as horses age,” Solum said. “Furthermore, keeping in mind past injuries or specific sites of joint disease are important so that proper care can be taken, or the use of NSAIDs might be indicated. It is also possible that if joint disease has developed, a lower level of athleticism or change in sport might help to maintain soundness and longevity.”

This article originally appeared on American Quarter Horse News and is published here with permission.

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by A.L. Fowler, J.D. Pagan, V.L. Erwin with Kentucky Equine Research

Cooling exercised or overheated equines is critical to avoid heat-related illnesses. Applying water is effective for cooling horses ^1,2, and a hose is commonly used to continuously apply water. However, running water from a hose is not always accessible and a bucket of water and sponge may be a suitable alternative for applying water in these situations.

The objective of this study was to determine if there were differences in heart rates and cooling rates when horses were either sponged, hosed, or walked following exercise.

Eight Thoroughbred geldings (BW: 585±39 kg; age: 11±2 yr) with percutaneous thermal-sensing microchips (PTSM) implanted in their middle gluteal muscle (GLUT) were used in an incomplete 3 x 3 Latin square design over three week-long periods. Weekly, horses completed a 13-min SET on an inclined (3o) high-speed treadmill (max speed: 8 m/s; peak heart rate: 179±15 bpm). Three cooling treatments were applied post-exercise: 1) WALK: walking for 5 min, 2) HOSE: water applied with a hose over the entire body for 5 min, and 3) SPONGE: water applied using a large sponge over the entire body for 5 min (~28 L). Following the cooling treatments, all horses walked for 5 min and then returned to their stalls with overhead fans. Heart rate (HR), using a HorsePal HRM G2 Handle, respiratory rate (RR), and GLUT temperature were taken before exercise (baseline) and then at predetermined intervals for 60 min post-exercise. Changes from pre-exercise temperatures were fitted to an exponential one-phase decay model to determine the cooling half-life (t1/2). Data were analysed using a repeated measures ANOVA.

The treadmill exercise increased GLUT temperatures to 40.1±0.5ºC (pre-exercise: 37.0±0.6ºC). Both HOSE and SPONGE had shorter GLUT temperature half-lives (t1/2) post-exercise than WALK (WALK 33.22±11.10 min; SPONGE 14.88±6.10 min; HOSE 16.00±5.52 min; mean ± SD; P<0.01). A shorter t1/2 is indicative of a faster rate of cooling.

RR returned to baseline by 5 min post-exercise for HOSE, 10 min for SPONGE, and 20 min for WALK (P<0.05). HR of all treatments returned to baseline by 15 min post-exercise and WALK had a higher overall HR compared to both HOSE and SPONGE (P<0.05).

Both hosing and sponging were effective at cooling horses post-exercise and were better than just walking. In this study, liberal amounts of water were sponged over the horse’s entire body. Applying smaller amounts of water to just the neck and head may be less effective.

References:

1Marlin et al. 2010.Equine Veterinary Journal 30:28-34.

2Takahashi et al., 2020. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 91:103130.

Read more: The Efficacy of Sponge Baths and Hosing on Exercise Recovery in Thoroughbred Horses

There’s more to a green pasture than meets the eye, especially when horses are involved. Healthy grazing land isn’t just a scenic backdrop, it plays a vital role in a horse’s overall well-being, influencing everything from digestion to behavior. Yet despite its importance, pasture management is often handled with a shrug and a hopeful eye on the weather. Many rely on routine or guesswork, rotating fields out of habit rather than understanding. The outcome is familiar and frustrating: worn-out grass, compacted soil, and land that struggles to recover season after season.

That passive approach is starting to shift. With live satellite images and analytics, landowners can finally see their pastures with clarity and precision. These tools reveal patterns and problems that would otherwise go unnoticed, making it easier to balance grazing pressure, protect soil health, and plan ahead.

Hidden Struggles Behind Healthy Grazing

Pasture management may look straightforward in theory: move the horses, let the grass recover, repeat. But anyone working the land knows it rarely plays out that smoothly. Grass grows unevenly. Weather patterns shift without warning. Some areas flourish while others turn to bare soil under constant trampling. And when every acre needs to support both animal health and long-term land use, the pressure to get it right can be relentless.

One of the toughest challenges is preventing overuse. When horses graze too long in one spot, the grass loses its ability to rebound. What starts as a patchy field can quickly become a worn-out stretch of dirt, opening the door to soil erosion and invasive plants. Then come the seasons. Spring might offer a burst of growth, giving a false sense of abundance, but summer heat or autumn rains can flip the script overnight. Without consistent visibility into what’s happening across the pasture, many decisions come too late. By the time the damage is clear, recovery takes time, effort, and in many cases, money that could have been saved.

Tools Transforming Pasture Management

Fortunately, land management is no longer limited to pacing the fields and relying solely on experience. A new generation of tools is transforming how ranchers and horse owners care for both their pastures and their animals. These innovations are not just convenient additions to old routines. They are changing the way we understand the land, helping people make decisions that are rooted in evidence instead of habit.

Drones are becoming a common sight on modern ranches, flying overhead to capture high-resolution images that reveal grazing patterns, soil wear, and even water buildup in low-lying areas. Instead of waiting for visible damage to appear, ranchers can now detect early signs of stress and act before problems take hold. Soil sensors provide another layer of insight, quietly monitoring moisture levels, pH balance, and nutrient availability around the clock. Combined with small-scale weather stations that track hyperlocal changes in temperature, wind, and precipitation, these tools help build a clearer picture of what is really happening at ground level.

Perhaps the most revolutionary shift comes from above. With the ability to view live satellite images, landowners can now see large-scale patterns across their property that would be impossible to spot on foot. These satellite visuals show how vegetation is growing, where it's thinning, and how those trends change over days, weeks, and seasons. This kind of perspective brings a level of clarity that has never been available before. It turns guesswork into strategy, helping to protect the land from overuse while ensuring horses have access to consistent, high-quality forage.

How Satellites Guide Smarter Grazing Decisions

Satellite data is not just about seeing your pasture from above but about understanding it on a deeper level. When used for pasture mapping, this technology helps define the true boundaries and conditions of each grazing zone, identifying which areas are thriving and which ones are under stress. It takes the guesswork out of land management by turning distant pixels into clear indicators of ground-level reality.

With EOSDA LandViewer, these insights become both accessible and actionable. The platform allows users to track vegetation health across seasons, compare year-over-year changes, and flag trouble spots before they turn into larger issues. By analyzing plant vitality through vegetation indices like NDVI, LandViewer helps pinpoint where forage is strongest and where recovery is needed. This makes it easier to rotate animals strategically, reduce pressure on vulnerable areas, and make the most of every acre.

The ability to see live satellite images adds a real-time dimension to this process. Instead of waiting for signs of overuse to appear on the ground, managers can act early, adjusting grazing schedules or supplementing feed when needed. And because live satellite imagery captures the big picture, it reveals connections that might be missed in day-to-day observation: like how a dry patch in one field could be tied to drainage issues or how pasture health improves after a rest period. With these tools, grazing decisions become smarter, timing becomes sharper, and the land gets the care it needs to stay productive long term.

Greener Fields Through Smarter Strategies

By bringing together satellite technology, soil sensors, drones, and smart data platforms, pasture management becomes more precise and less reactive. These tools offer a clearer view of land conditions, helping to prevent overgrazing, support faster regrowth, and make better use of every acre. With accurate insights at their fingertips, ranchers can provide more consistent nutrition for their horses, protect soil health, and adapt to seasonal shifts before they become problems. In the end, this tech-driven approach leads to healthier animals, stronger pastures, and a more sustainable relationship between land and livestock.

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Caring for horses takes more than physical strength or knowledge of basic routines. It requires emotional energy, mental clarity, and the motivation to keep showing up every day. What happens when your body feels tired but your responsibilities never slow down?

Many riders and horse owners ignore their limits until exhaustion starts affecting everything. Mood changes, lack of sleep, and even medications can shift how you feel around the barn. Is it possible to stay motivated when your energy dips and life feels unpredictable?

The pressure to keep pushing often leads to burnout without warning. This article will explore simple ways to support both your motivation and your well-being.

Establish a Daily Routine That Works for You

Creating a routine that fits your energy level can ease daily stress. Not every rider feels sharp early in the morning or late evening. Pay attention to when your mind and body feel most alert.

Spruce notes that a solid daily routine uses peak hours for important tasks and low-energy times for simple ones. However, life can throw unexpected events your way, so it’s crucial to plan for them.

Scheduling flexible free time into your routine lets you shift tasks around without disrupting your flow. This flexibility ensures you never feel rushed, even with unplanned events like doctor’s appointments or social invites.

Schedule stable tasks during those times to get the most done efficiently. Horses thrive with structure, and so do their caretakers in the long run. Organize tasks into natural clusters to avoid constant mental switching throughout the day.

A loose but predictable plan can support both motivation and physical comfort. Leave room for unexpected shifts so you don’t feel boxed in or guilty. This flexible rhythm will help you sustain energy without constant burnout.

How does sleep quality influence daily productivity?

Restful sleep sharpens cognitive function and helps prevent injuries during physical barn tasks. When sleep is poor, motivation dips, and reactions become slower, increasing mistakes with horses. Prioritizing sleep means you’ll be more alert, consistent, and capable when managing both animals and routines.

by Kristin Pitzer

If you are in the horse business for very long, the chances are good that at some point, you will have to hire a horse shipper to move your horse. This may be to buy or sell a horse out of state; to complete a cross-country move; or to visit a veterinary specialist several hours away if you don’t own a trailer. Even for a short move, though, it’s not always wise to trust the first person you find that owns a truck and trailer — there are plenty of horror stories of horses getting injured, not getting picked up, or even disappearing.

Quarter Horse News spoke with Maegan Alexander, Dispatch Assistant at Equine Express, which has been in the horse transportation business since 1986, to get some tips on what to look for when hiring a horse shipper.

Do Your Research

As you start researching horse transportation companies, there are a few things you’ll want to look for. One of the most important things to know is if the company is licensed and insured. An easy way to find out — and avoid scams — is to ask a hauler directly for their federal U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number and then verify it online.

“If for some reason you do go with a company that is not licensed and insured, it is a huge risk,” Alexander said. “If the uninsured hauler gets pulled over by DOT, they can get shut down, and you will have to wait for a legal hauler to pick up your horse. Also, if there is an incident, the owner of the horse could be liable for using an uninsured hauler.”

Another thing you’ll want to look for is a hauler that has experience with horses. There are many companies out there that offer equine transportation, but the drivers moving the horses have no knowledge of horse care or behavior. If your horse colics or gets injured, they may not recognize the signs that something is wrong.

“When on the road, the driver needs to be able to tell if the horse is travelling comfortably, and if not, we need to find the nearest vet,” Alexander said. “When looking for drivers, we require everyone to have horse knowledge before joining our team. It is imperative to know what to look for when out on the road with horses.”

If you’re not sure where to start, the National Horse Carriers Association is a great source to find commercial haulers, as you have to meet certain requirements to be a member, Alexander said. Under the “Education” tab, you can find more information about legal versus illegal haulers, as well.

Have the Details Ready

Once you have a few companies in mind, you’ll want to start calling for quotes. Alexander recommended calling at least three weeks before you want the trip to take place, with the understanding that you might have to be flexible for less-traveled routes. Before you pick up the phone, though, you’ll need to have the details of your horse’s trip prepared. Make sure you know the starting and ending addresses, and have an idea of what kind of stall you’ll want your horse to ship in.

 “A horse that has more experience and has travelled before could go into either our tie stall, a roughly 4 x 9 space where the horse is loosely cross-tied, or a box stall, an 8 x 9 space where the horse is turned loose,” Alexander said. “When we ship young, inexperienced horses or stallions, we will always ship in a box stall, and during a long trip, we recommend the box stall for every horse as it is double the size. The horse is not tied, so they do not have to stand in the same direction during the trip and can put their head down to drain their sinuses. Other companies may offer different options depending on their trailers, but all our trailers can offer the tie or box stall options.”

Keep in mind the time of year and the weather in the locations your horse will be traveling through.

“Different companies do offer certain routes, so that is always a great question to ask when inquiring for a quote,” Alexander said. “The time of year you ship can also be a big factor, especially depending on the route you are wanting to go. We try to go to Washington state almost weekly, but during the winter months, that is always a weather-dependent route.”

Know the Plan

When you find a company that seems to check most of your boxes, ask about their process for keeping you informed during your horse’s trip. A shipper that balks at giving updates is a red flag. Before the trip, the company should communicate when the horse will be picked up, where it will be laying over, and what day and time to expect it to arrive, barring any delays due to weather, traffic or issues loading and unloading the horse. They should also provide a way to contact the driver during the trip so you can keep tabs on where your horse is.

“We will give out the driver’s name and number before the trip starts so if you have any questions, you can reach the drivers directly at any time,” Alexander said. “Depending on the route, we will have a layover where the horse is taken off the trailer into their own stall, but we will let everyone know that in advance. We also try to send updates and pictures when arriving to the layovers. That way, the customers know we have arrived and the horse is doing well.”

Prepare Your Horse

Depending on the state you live in, there may be certain vaccines or paperwork required for your horse to travel. If your horse is traveling out of state, you’ll want to know those regulations for every state he or she will be passing through. For instance, a horse traveling from New Mexico to Florida will require a brand inspection, current negative coggins, and a current health certificate signed by a veterinarian that lists the horse’s temperature and an accession number matching the coggins.

Requirements can and do change, so it’s always best to check on each state’s regulations before shipping. Calling the animal health commission for the states your horse will be leaving and entering should provide the most up-to-date information.

“It’s best to reach out to your vet to see what they recommend for your horse depending on the area they are travelling to,” Alexander said. “We also recommend starting electrolytes two weeks before shipping. That way your horse is drinking well before transport. You can additionally practice loading and unloading with your horse before the hauler arrives so it is familiar beforehand.”

Send the Essentials

Because shipping can be taxing on the horse itself, Alexander recommended keeping as much of his routine the same as possible to reduce stress. This includes sending some of his current hay and grain with the shipper to avoid changing his diet. Most shippers will only feed hay while in transit to reduce the chance of colic but will give grain upon arriving at a layover.

“If a horse is needing a certain medication, we want to make sure we keep them on what their vet recommends,” Alexander said. “We do carry hay on the trailer if for some reason the horse is not sent with any grain or hay for the trip. We want to make sure the horses’ stomachs are moving and that the horses stay hydrated during the trip. We will stop every few hours to refill hay nets and water buckets, and make sure all the horses are traveling comfortably.”

A shipper that takes the time to check on horses and keeps them watered and fed can mean all the difference between your horse arriving healthy and content or showing up sick. By putting a little effort into finding the right shipper, you can save your horse and yourself unnecessary stress and get back to your normal routine quickly once he’s settled in.

This article originally appeared on American Quarter Horse News and is published here with permission.

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