Whether it is the increased stress of daily life or the baby-boomer generation wanting to experience the roots of their pioneer forefathers, more and more people are setting out to see the country from horseback. As a result, equestrian campgrounds have multiplied throughout the country and the design of horse trailers has changed drastically to cater to the comfort of weekend or week-long campers.

Consideration for the horse’s welfare should come first when traveling. In most cases where problems arise, it is because a rider becomes complacent or just doesn’t recognize trouble brewing. Avid endurance riders and sports medicine veterinarians Julie Bullock, DVM, of Staunton, Va., and Nancy Elliot, DVM, of Pescadero, Calif., say precautions start before you leave home.

Before You Leave Home

“Horses should be fully vaccinated a month or even two months before leaving home,” says Bullock, who was the assistant Chef d’Equipe (the manager of a national equestrian team responsible for making all arrangements for team competition abroad) for the USA East endurance squad at the 2001 Pan American Championship. “If you wait a week before leaving to vaccinate them, their immune systems will not have time to make antibodies, thus they will not be protected,” says Bullock. “And if they require a vaccine that they have never received before, chances are it will require more than one shot to create a protective level of antibodies in the horse