Horse Trailer Travel Essentials

With a start rooted in 4-H and the National Reining Horse Association, Renae Cowley went on to win Miss Rodeo Utah and place Top 5 at Miss Rodeo America. She now competes as a professional barrel racer on the Pro Rodeo circuit and is a successful business woman when she’s out of the saddle.

If anyone knows how to travel with horses, it is a gal who eats, sleeps, and breathes rodeo like Riding Warehouse sponsored rider Renae Cowley! As a WPRA barrel racer, Renae has extensive experience with helping to keep her equine athletes feeling their best—even on the longest of hauls. Read on to gain some insightful tips from her on how to travel safely, what to pack, and how to keep your horses happy on the journey ahead!

Whoever said 'nothing is certain but death and taxes' clearly never competed on horses. It is only a matter of time before something gets broken or lost! I keep a small stash of just about every tack component I could ever need. I am not suggesting you bring every piece of tack you own, but at least one extra of everything (especially the component parts). Remember that famous run Charmayne James made at the NFR when her bridle fell off because a Chicago screw came loose? While not nearly as dramatic, I once had a Blevins buckle slip off after circling the 3rd barrel. Things happen. Be prepared.

You should also ensure you know your route well enough that if your phone loses service during mapping, you are not completely lost. Try to have a general plan for fuel and food stops, as well as places to let your horses off the trailer. Only stop at well-lit gas stations with ample room for maneuvering your trailer. Stay alert, have a plan, and most importantly, have fun out there!

Stay Organized

Keeping your items organized and easily within reach is key to a successful trailer journey. Chaos in your surrounding environment creates chaos in your mind, and this is especially true in high-stress settings. Staying organized will greatly improve your focus on competition day.

Utilize Your Space

My mother always told me, “It isn’t what rig you pull up to the rodeo in, but what you pull out of that rig that matters.” Regardless of your trailer size, space is a precious commodity. Wherever possible, use multipurpose or collapsible items, repackage products into smaller containers, and utilize every nook and cranny of your trailer. I even repurpose fly mask containers for packing supplements!

Prioritize Health & Safety

You may be tempted to load up several different headstalls for a two-day show or rodeo; when space is limited, it is more important to make sure you have ample water buckets, food, supplements, and first aid equipment. There is nothing worse than being away from home and having a vet emergency that you are unprepared for, because you took up your trailer space with something excessive—like a full rainbow array of bell boots!

Feedbags

I have both rectangular feed bags and hay nets, depending on what horse I am hauling. Horses eat much slower from the hay nets, so I would recommend using them if you have a long day on the road. Even if you only feed one flake per feeding, I suggest filling up your hay bag or net as full as possible; because horses eat slower (and sometimes not at all) in the trailer, this step helps prevent you from having to fill the feeder multiple times a day—creating more food waste.

Water Buckets & Bucket Straps

There is almost nothing as important as a water bucket when you are on the road. If you have a water tank on your trailer, use it! Horses often drink better when they are used to the taste of water you typically give them. I try to have two 5-gallon buckets and one 2-gallon bucket per horse, allowing for two water buckets and one-grain bucket.

Veterinary Supplies

Horse medical supplies are easily the most important thing you could ever put in your trailer. I have a great one from Riding Warehouse that I have added to with a few extra things from my vet. Be sure to go through your kit at least twice a year to replenish it appropriately and throw out anything that may have expired. Consult your vet on the products, and especially talk to them about dosages of any medication (especially if you are unsure).

Shipping Boots & Wraps

If your horse kicks in the trailer, you definitely want to invest in some shipping boots. My rodeo horse went through a phase where he loved to kick in the trailer, then we would pull up to the rodeo with his legs cut up. When looking for good shipping boots, I like ones that offer maximum coverage over their hocks and are very pillowy. Front shipping boots are more optional, but be sure to monitor them regularly to ensure your horse's legs aren't getting too hot.

Liniment

Road fatigue mixed with the regular physical strain of competition can be the perfect storm for the dreaded three “S’s” - soreness, stiffness, and swelling. I use the complete line of Draw it Out products to keep my horses feeling their best and running in top form!

Horse Containment

Every venue is different in terms of the stalls offered, so it is smart to have trailer ties or portable fencing on hand. Some venues are first-come, first-serve, others take reservations, and some places have no stalls at all. Having your own fencing or appropriate trailer accommodations allows you to create a stall/safe resting place wherever you need to, even if you break down on the side of the road and have to camp somewhere overnight.

Ulcer Prevention

Traveling is stressful for both horses and riders, often taking a toll on gut health that could lead to ulcers. Using digestive supplements helps relieve any discomfort your horse might experience during the stress of travel. I feed a daily probiotic supplement but increase the dosage several days before a long trip, during the trip, and several days after. I also feed treats with probiotics to keep my horses happy and feeling good!

Calming Supplement

I’ll say it again - traveling is stressful! In my own experiences, CBD is the only thing that calms my horses without causing them to lose their feet during performance. Keep in mind that these products are different than typical supplements, and the correct dosage varies drastically. You will need to experiment to find what product and dosage best works for your specific horse.

Please Note: Due to state regulations, CBD products cannot ship within California.

Blankets & Coolers

Traveling often means experiencing different climates; even going from one end of the state to the other, temperatures can fluctuate 40 degrees or more. These drastic temperature changes can cause stress in your horse and potentially lead to colic. To help my horses better acclimate, I always keep a fleece cooler and medium-weight blanket in my trailer for each equine.

Jackets for Layering

Don’t forget to take care of yourself too! While it's often hot in the afternoon, things can quickly cool down once the sun goes down. Surprise rain showers are also common while traveling for several days across different landscapes, so it's important to be prepared with a waterproof jacket and other apparel designed for different weather climates.

Driving & Walking Shoes

Fairgrounds and competition venues are often enormous, requiring lots of walking between the stalls, entry office, water spigot, and concessions. Having a pair of comfortable, supportive shoes can save you from having tired and sore feet at the end of the day. Also, wear a pair of comfy shoes during the hours you'll spend driving, to help prevent your feet from going numb.

We hope you enjoyed the insight Renae had to offer on what she packs for her and horses while she's on the road. Professional riders like Renae live and breathe the competitive equestrian industry, where the products they bring along can make or break the success of their horses. Horse trailering is stressful in it of itself, and we encourage you to not forget to take care of yourself—so you can take better care of your traveling equine companions! Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our customer service team at 1(800)620-9145 or info@ridingwarehouse.com for help. Happy horse trailering!

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