Winter is finally here, and whilst some agricultural and equestrian businesses are winding down ahead of Christmas, others are still heavily reliant on their trailers and equipment ahead of a remarkably busy season.
Despite the freezing and wet weather conditions, the horse racing calendar is still full, which makes safe, warm and reliable transportation of equine competitors more vital than ever.
The best way to keep your horse safe is with a horsebox trailer that is winterised, serviced and repaired by experts well versed in maintaining the versatile and high-quality trailers manufactured by Ifor Williams.
With that in mind, here are some top tips for keeping your horsebox a safe, warm and comfortable environment to help both the physical and mental health of your horses.
How Does Cold Weather Travel Affect Your Horses?
Horses are outdoor animals and can tolerate cold temperatures up to a point, but once temperatures dip close to five degrees Celsius, horses will start to feel the cold and need some extra care.
This is doubly so with horseboxes, as travelling at speed can slow down the perceived temperature and make already cold temperatures feel biting and frozen.
Once the temperatures dip below freezing, cold stress can occur, causing horses to become increasingly agitated, have less energy, exacerbate existing health issues and cause long-term effects on their mental and physical health.
Lower than this, and hypothermia and frostbite can become life-threatening.
Many of the natural protections horses use in the wild, such as huddling with other horses and finding natural shelters, are not always available in a horsebox due to limited space.
What Can Cold Weather Travel Do To Your Horses?
- Lower energy levels.
- Increased cold stress to joints and vulnerable parts of the body.
- Frostbite, particularly to the muzzle and ears.
- Hypothermia.
How Can You Winterise Your Horsebox?
One of the most important steps you can take if you need to travel over the winter period is to prepare your horsebox for winter, ensuring that it is not only warm enough for your horse to travel in comfort but also that the journey is safe and stress-free for both horse and owner.
As with anything else, preparation is critical here, and taking the time to check that all of the electrical equipment, brake lines and suspension are properly tuned for the conditions and the connections function correctly.
Not only is this important for legal reasons, but the more stable and easier your trailer is to control, the fewer issues that will emerge during winter travel.
As well as this, fit winter or all-weather tyres depending on the road conditions. If you would change your towing vehicle’s tyres, do the same for your trailer.
One of the most important elements that you may need to modify on your horsebox is its insulation. Most modern horseboxes will have insulation to help maintain ventilation and temperature regulation without overheating your horse or wasting too much energy.
What Steps Can You Take To Get Your Horsebox Ready For Winter?
- Inspect your trailer and towing vehicle for any issues.
- Ensure the heating system is working effectively.
- Check insulation and drought-proofing.
- Fit winter tyres.
Should You Pack A Winter Emergency Kit In Your Horsebox?
The other aspect of winter driving that should never be underestimated is that the conditions you are driving in can change frequently. Downpours can be sudden and stop quickly, black ice is a concern in the days after a frosty day, and fresh snow can provide traction challenges.
In addition, the weather can cause delays, breakdowns and traffic blockages that may force you to wait for quite some time in the weather until conditions improve.
Because of this, make sure to pack two winter emergency kits; one is for you, whilst the other is extra blankets, food and water for your horse, to ensure that they not only avoid dehydration in the remarkably dry winter but also avoid getting spooked and agitated.
What Should You Pack In Your Horsebox’s Winter Emergency Kit?
For you and your car, you should be sure to pack:
- Snow shovel.
- Gritting salt.
- Ice scraper.
- Food and water.
- Space blanket.
In addition, pack the following for your horse:
- Multiple thick, high-quality blankets appropriate for your horse’s size and weight.
- Fresh water in an insulated bucket.
- A supply of horse feed.
How Do You Take Care Of Your Horse During The Journey?
Some horses travel better than others as a general rule, but it is even more vital to check up on your horse throughout the journey, as the stresses that travel can sometimes take on their bodies and mental health can be exacerbated.
Use hoof oils to keep them moisturised and check that they are kept in good health.
As well as this, check your horse’s behaviour closely. If they seem different from how they are on a typical journey, especially if they are withdrawing or look uncomfortable, this could be a sign that they are cold in the horsebox. The sooner you can intervene, the sooner they will feel better.