Horse Travel Guide: Keeping Your Horse Healthy on Long Journeys

How to Prepare Your Horse for Travel: Health Tips, Nutrition & Supplements

Long-distance travel can place significant stress on horses and increase their susceptibility to disease, particularly affecting the respiratory system. Below are key tips to help keep your horse healthy during travel:

Planning and Preparation

Carefully plan your journey down to the smallest detail and always have a backup plan. This includes routes, rest stops, equipment, feed, water, first aid kits, and all necessary documentation (passport, insurance, veterinary contacts along the route, transport documents, etc.). Ensure your transport (trailer or lorry) is safe, legal, and suitable for long-distance travel.

Preparing Your Horse

Before travelling, make sure your horse is in good health, fit, and accustomed to transport.

Water and Electrolytes

Offer water regularly during the journey. Electrolytes should be given when appropriate, but not on an empty stomach—ideally together with feed. Always ensure access to water after feeding electrolytes. Before departure, your horse should be well hydrated and have free access to forage. Upon arrival, continue replenishing fluids and electrolytes lost through sweating.

Nutrition and Digestive Health

Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining horse health, and travel significantly increases the risk of colic due to changes in routine. Try to keep dietary changes to a minimum and, if possible, travel with your own feed and forage. Horses should eat small amounts frequently during travel. Monitor feed intake during stops to ensure your horse is eating enough. Digestive support supplements can be highly beneficial.

Weather Conditions

Consider weather and timing. High temperatures and traffic delays can make journeys stressful and increase the risk of overheating or heat stroke.

Rest Stops

Regular breaks are essential. As a guideline, allow at least 20 minutes of rest every 4 hours of travel, and a full overnight rest after 12 hours.

Ventilation

Ensure good ventilation and a low-dust environment to support respiratory health.

Shipping Fever

Shipping fever is a respiratory infection associated with travel. Keeping the horse’s head elevated (e.g., when tied) can impair natural airway drainage and increase risk. Studies suggest around 10% of horses may be affected during long-distance transport.

Monitoring After Arrival

Monitor your horse closely after arrival. Check temperature regularly and watch for symptoms such as fever, lethargy, coughing, reduced appetite, nasal discharge, increased respiratory rate, stiffness, or reluctance to move. If any concerns arise, consult a veterinarian.

Recovery

Horses may lose 2.5–5% of their body weight during long journeys. Recovery can take 3–7 days. A general guideline is one day of rest for every 8 hours of travel.

Acclimatisation

If travelling to a different climate, allow time for gradual adaptation. Horses should be monitored closely to ensure they adjust properly.

Supplements Before and During Travel

To reduce the risk of stress, illness, and digestive issues, consider using the following supplements:

Electrolytes – help maintain hydration and replace minerals lost through sweating
Probiotics and prebiotics – support gut health and reduce the risk of colic
Magnesium-based calming supplements – useful for nervous or “hot” horses
Gastric support supplements (e.g., pectin, lecithin, aloe vera) – help protect the stomach lining
Immune support (vitamins C, E, beta-glucans)
Respiratory support supplements – particularly beneficial for long journeys