Preparing your horse
for transport.

Most transport problems start before we arrive. A horse that hasn’t been near a trailer in months, or one that’s dehydrated because feed was pulled too early, is already at a disadvantage before we pull out of the driveway. Here’s what makes a real difference.

Documents and preparation.

• Check your Coggins expiration date. It must be valid on haul day. If it’s within the next few weeks, renew now — lab results take 3–7 days. See our full guide to document requirements.
• Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate if you’re crossing state lines. Time it so the cert is fresh — within the last few days before travel if possible.
• Practice loading if your horse hasn’t been in a trailer recently. Calm, unhurried loading practice in the days before means a much smoother pickup. Don’t leave this until the morning of.
• Confirm your destination details with the receiving facility — arrival window, where to unload, and any requirements they have for documents or health status.

Feed, water, and rest.

• Keep hay available. Horses need forage during travel — pulling it entirely beforehand leaves them without gut motility support, which increases colic risk. A lighter grain meal the evening before is fine; hay access should continue.
• Don’t restrict water. Dehydration is one of the more common transport stressors. Horses often drink less when they’re in a new environment, so starting well-hydrated matters. Offer electrolytes in water if your horse accepts them.
• Avoid heavy grain the night before a long haul. A large grain meal before travel increases the risk of digestive upset. Keep grain modest and hay available.
• Let the horse rest. Don’t work your horse hard the day before a long haul. Tired muscles and travel stress don’t mix well.

What to have ready at pickup.

• Have the horse accessible when we arrive. We build realistic time buffers, but a horse that needs to be caught from a large pasture can throw off the day for everyone. Have them in a paddock or stall near the loading area at the agreed pickup time.
• Skip heavy grain the morning of. Hay is fine; a large grain meal immediately before loading isn’t ideal. If your horse gets a daily supplement, talk to your vet about timing.
• Send hay for the trip. We provide hay at rest stops, but if your horse is on a specific hay type or has dietary restrictions, send a flake or two with them.
• Tell us anything relevant before we load. If your horse loads reluctantly, dislikes tight spaces, has a history of colic, or is on medication — tell us before pickup day, not at the trailer door. We can plan around things we know about.

Mares with foals, first-timers,
and nervous horses.

Some horses need more preparation and communication than others. If you’re hauling:

• A foal with a mare: Book the specialty transport service and talk to us well before the haul date. Foal age, mare temperament, and the destination all affect how we plan the trip.
• A horse that’s never been trailered: Start short loading practice sessions at least a week out. We load patiently, but a horse that’s had zero trailer exposure is harder on itself and on the timeline.
• A nervous or anxious horse: Talk to your vet about whether calming support is appropriate. We work quietly and don’t rush, but chemical calming is a conversation between you and your vet, not something we decide at the trailer.
• A horse recovering from injury or surgery: See our specialty transport page. We handle these hauls carefully, but we need full information about restrictions, standing time, and vet instructions.

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