By taking a few precautions and practicing a little common sense, you can help ensure that your horse arrives at his destination in the best shape and health as possible. | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse

Keep your horses cooler, less stressed, and happier when hauling in hot, humid conditions

The long road beckons: It’s summer, and all kinds of diverse opportunities await you and your horse–shows, competitions, sales, trail riding, equine vacations, and more. Some events are just a couple of hours away, while others involve many hours, perhaps even a few days, of trailering.

Should your journey take you and your equine traveling companions through areas of scorching heat or sweltering humidity, you need to take steps to protect your charges from the ovenlike temperatures and stresses that can occur in a horse trailer. Here’s how.

Horse Prep

 1  Decrease the risk of stress-related immune problems by supplementing with vitamins C and E, both of which are antioxidants, suggests Carey A. Williams, PhD (equine nutrition), equine extension specialist at Rutgers University. “Administer 1,000 to 3,000 IU per day of vitamin E three weeks prior to hauling, as it takes that long to build up enough of a store to become additionally effective, or throughout the show season if you haul often. Give about 7-10 grams of vitamin C daily for a day or two before hauling and for three to four days after hauling