One of the most confusing decisions when trailering in cold weather is whether to blanket your horse, said Neva Kittrell Scheve, author and equine travel expert.
Horses are very comfortable in cold conditions, and most will travel very well during the winter. Two important factors should be considered when making this decision, according to Scheve:
- Ensure that the trailer is well ventilated because horses are prone to respiratory illness. A trailer that is not properly ventilated becomes filled with toxic air from the hay dust, shavings, and any gases from urine and manure. The body heat produced by the horses also builds up inside the trailer.
- Keep horses well hydrated during the winter. Dehydration is the most common cause of colic. Horses can become dehydrated during the winter if they do not drink or they lose water through perspiration. If a horse is dressed too warmly, it will tend to lose more fluids than it should.
Be sure to dress the horse according to the situation. If the horse has a full winter coat and does well in daily life, it will not need a blanket for the trailer trip.
In this case, open the roof vents and a few windows in the back so the air does not blow directly on the horse.
If you have a stock trailer that does not have windows that close, a light sheet can protect the horse from the wind. If the horse's body is clipped or does not have a heavy coat, it should wear the same weight blanket that it would normally wear, and vents and windows should be open.
Long-distance trips require a little more preparation. Be ready for driving through different temperatures. Pack blankets of different weights so you can change them as the weather changes during travel. Be sure the horse does not sweat too much. It could get wet and get chilled. Also, the horse can lose water through sweat and become dehydrated.