48/ MAY 2014 THE RIDER Trailering With Safety in Mind


sense to ensure that your horse has been trained to load and unload safely and in a calm manner well in advance, proper planning ahead for any trip can ensure that the entire transporta- tion process goes smoothly and is safe for both horse and han- dler.


for health and fitness before trailering. Check and record your horse’s vital signs, such as temperature, respiration and pulse, as well as how much it drinks ahead of time. This pro- vides important personal infor- mation as to what is normal for your horse and will assist in spotting any problems on the day of travel and upon arrival. If in doubt, check with your vet- erinarian. The new 2013 Equine Code of Practice also has a reference on Appendix H - The Transport Decision Tree.


trailers, smaller horses such as Quarter Horses can safely fit, but it’s considered to be unsafe for taller breeds such as Thor- oughbreds, Warmbloods, Drafts, etc., as there is insufficient head room,” says Lawlis. “Too small of a space will hinder your


whether it’s a straight load, slant load or stock trailer, is primarily based on owner preference. While some horses will load more easily into a stock trailer because of its openness, make sure it offers sufficient head room for the height of your horse. “When it comes to stock


Trailer Basics The type of trailer used,


importance of trailering only when the horse is healthy. “One of the issues we encounter fre- quently is animals [including horses] that are loaded and transported when they are not fit to be transported,” she says. “Unfit horses must not be load- ed unless they are being shipped on the advice of a veterinarian to a vet hospital for treatment. Compromised horses should not be transported mixed in with fit horses in the same compart- ment.” Learn to assess your horse


it’s important to plan out the route ahead of time, avoiding peak times in busy areas to avoid sitting in traffic. One should also be aware of any possible inclement weather. If the weather could make driving difficult, reschedule the trip for another day. Lawlis also stresses the


planning is the key to successful journeys, including knowing the weather conditions, road con- struction, etc.,” says Penny Lawlis, Humane Standards Offi- cer with the Animal Health and Welfare Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) in Guelph, Ontario. Lawlis also currently sits on the National Farm Ani- mal Care Council and teaches a graduate level course in practi- cal animal welfare assessment for the University of Guelph. When transporting a horse,


“No matter the distance, trip


that it will be necessary to trail- er your horse at one time or another. Whether it’s a short distance to nearby trails or sev- eral hours’ drive to a competi- tion, with a bit of care and atten- tion, you can safely get your horse to where you’re going and minimize the possibility of any mishaps or undue stress. While it’s just common


Story by: Barbara Sheridan As a horse owner, it’s likely


public/eng/1363740981698/136 3741144174.


same laws and regulations as other animals during transport. Lawlis emphasizes that horse owners and others should be familiar with the regulations and policies administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The regulations cover areas such as allowable time without feed, water and rest, and using equipment that won’t cause injury. The Regulations can be found at www.inspec- tion.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial- animals/humane-transport/gen- e


r a l -


stance is different and should be viewed in a separate manner. Staples recalls a trailering inci- dent with an unexpected flat tire on the Golden Gate Bridge in


required and you may possibly require transport for your horse, and that you need a large animal veterinarian dispatched immedi- ately,” she says. “While waiting, your first inclination is to open up the trailer and go in to help your horse, but that’s an action that can get both you and your horse killed. An open door is an invitation for it to try and escape. Instead, find the small- est opening possible to peek in. Stay calm. Most horses survive rollovers if they’re in a well- maintained, sturdy trailer.” However, every circum-


rollover, Staples advises to check out all people and pets travelling with you so you know what to report to the 9-1-1 dis- patcher. “Take note of where you are and advise them that emergency assistance


is


issue in an accident,” says Sta- ples. “If you are hysterical or interfere with a rescue in a way that makes the rescue more dif- ficult or less safe, you will be set aside and disregarded.” In the case of a trailer


gency responders are called in for assistance, chances are their knowledge of horses will be limited, and they will be looking to the horse owner or handler for guidance. Staying calm and quiet allows you to think clearly in emergency situations. “Safety is the number one


the trailer before every trip to make sure it is safe to operate and safely hitched to the truck. “Always check your trailer before starting out and recheck it after each stop, and always carry first aid kits for your horse, yourself, your vehicle and your trailer,” advises Michelle Staples, a Horse Safety Specialist located in the Niagara Region of Ontario.Author of Save Your Horse! A Horse Owner’s Guide to Large Animal Rescue, Staples also teaches CPR, CERT (disaster prepared- ness), Horse Awareness and Safety, Introduction to Large Animal Rescue for Horse Own- ers, and Emergency First Aid for Pets. In an accident when emer-


tions, sometimes mechanical breakdowns or even accidents can occur. Knowing how to handle an emergency situation when on the road can be the dif- ference between being helpful and helpless. Horse owners should inspect


Handling Travel Emergencies Even with the best inten-


horse’s ability to move and bal- ance itself and could increase the likelihood of your horse injuring itself during transit, as well as developing loading problems.” Horses are subject to the


make every trip a positive expe- rience by planning it out ahead of time to ensure that your horse arrives safe. Have a contingency plan available to address unex- pected difficulties. Learning to be proactive rather than reactive goes a long way toward mini- mizing stressful situations for both you and our horse.


regarding equine transport, visit The Code of Practice for the Transportation of Livestock - Horses


www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/saf ety/topics/trailer.shtml.


www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/ livestock/horses/facts/info_trai- lering.htm


, and


ing an Emergency Preparedness course for horse owners Sept 18 followed by a Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Awareness and Operations Level course Sept 19, 20, 21. Contact Susan Raymond slray- mon@uoguelph.ca for more details.


------------------- Equine Guelph is the horse owners’ and care givers’ Centre at the University of Guelph. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and gov-


Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Equine Guelph is developing a ‘Full-Circle- Responsibility’ equine welfare educational initiative which stands to benefit the welfare of horses in both the racing and non-racing sectors. Equine Guelph will be host-


fare Education page for more i n f o r m a t i o n http://www.equineguelph.ca/edu cation/welfare.php In partnership with the


newsletter at EquineGuelph.ca which will deliver monthly wel- fare tips throughout 2014 and announce tools to aid all horse owners in carrying out their ‘Full-Circle-Responsibility’ to our beloved horses. Visit Equine Guelph’s Wel-


Michelle Staple’s Large Ani- mal Rescue website can be viewed at www.savey- ourhorse.com. Sign up for our free e-


www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-prac- tice/equine


at ,


found For more information


horse in the trailer is that when you jack up the side to remove and replace the tire, the horse will scramble, upsetting the bal- ance of the trailer which could create a negative outcome for horse and handler,” she adds. When it comes to trailering,


have pulled over to a spot where she could safely offload the horse and call for roadside assis- tance such as USRider, a com- pany that handles horses and trailers on a daily basis. Once assistance arrives, they would help her offload the horse and place it in some form of a con- tained area, such as pipe panels set up on the side of the trailer, or a roll of construction fencing with polls to keep it rigid or even something as simple as ropes strung around trees. “The problem with leaving a


California several years ago when she was traveling with a friend. “She chose to pull off at the nearest flat spot and change the tire with the horse still inside,” she says. “However, I don’t think I’d do that now.” Instead, she says she would


ernment - for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further


www.EquineGuelph.ca. information, visit


Weblink: www.equineguelph.ca/news/ind ex.php?content=404


Photo Credit: Barbara Sheridan


Photo Captions: Trailering ani- mals can be full of risks, but they can be decreased by being careful. Unprotected legs and poor packing with many objects that could slide into the horses causing panic and injury are just two of the safety concerns obvious in this picture.


Legacies Live on With Hoofprints


tion in our hearts and when they depart, they never leave our memories. As horse owners ourselves, Equine Guelph and Inter- city Insurance understand what it is like to suffer the loss of a beloved equine friend. “Hoofprints was created to give grieving horse owners a positive means to cope with the devastating loss and a loving way to remember horses through sharing their sto- ries with fellow horse lovers,” says Equine Guelph director, Gayle Ecker. The Hoofprints Tribute program pro-


Story by Jackie Bellamy They put wings under our feet, inspira-


ance for sponsoring the Hoofprints Tribute Program and for supporting our education program in the role of Education Patron. Equine Guelph is the horse owners’


and care givers’ Centre at the University of Guelph. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, sup- ported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government - for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further


www.EquineGuelph.ca.


vides an opportunity to pay respect to a horse or horse lover who has made a differ- ence in the lives around them. A photo and story are posted on the Hoofprints webpage to share cherished memories. By dedicating an Equine Guelph donation in their name, their legacy will live on by contributing to longer, healthier lives for other horses. Equine Guelph thanks Intercity insur-


information,


visit


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64