Avoid Respiratory Disease When Trailering Your Horse

Transporting horses for long distances can be a contributing factor in the development

of respiratory disease and the aftermath can stay with your horse long after the trip. Pneumonia and pleuritis are the most common diseases which can affect transported horses. Pneumonia following a trailer ride is sometimes called shipping fever. So if you are planning a long trip for your horse, keep these things in mind.

First and foremost, begin with a healthy horse. Tired horses, stressed horses, and horses that are ill or have recently recovered from illness are somewhat more likely to pick up an infection because of a depressed immune system. Make sure your horse has been properly vaccinated against influenza and rhinopneumonitis. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), boosters should be given every 60-90 days to horses which are at high risk to exposure, and horses should be current on vaccinations within 10-14 days of embarking on a long trip. Horses should be monitored after transport for the development of respiratory disease. Signs to look for include cough, nasal discharge, fever, depression, and decreased appetite. Call your veterinarian if your horse develops any of these signs.

When you load your horse and secure him in the trailer, allow him to have enough rope to lower his head a bit, but not so much to get tangled in the rope. Horses need to be able to lower their heads to clear the mucus from their lungs and sinuses to prevent respiratory illness. This mucous traps dust, bacteria, fungi, and molds, preventing them from entering the smaller airways. When the horse lowers its head, mucus is allowed to drain. Frequent stops to unload the horse will allow it to put its head down and clear mucus.

Many owners give their horse some hay to munch on during the trip, but hay can be dusty, especially that with small leaves. Consider soaking hay before feeding to keep down dust. Watch out for any leftover moldy hay from the last trip as it can also contain allergenic materials. Be sure to clean all hay out after trailering to prevent moldy hay on the next trip.

Your trailer should be well-ventilated. While tempting to close all windows in cold or wet weather, leave enough open for fresh air to circulate. Humidity rises quickly in a closed-up trailer. This also results in a large increase in numbers of air-born molds, as well as bacteria and fungi. However, many horse trailer windows are set in the perfect location to blow that dust directly into your horses airway. Use a window screen to protect lungs as well as eyes from debris and bugs.

Keeping your trailer clean is important. Thorough cleaning between loads of horses will help prevent the transfer of bacteria and viruses among different horses and decrease the overall number of infectious organisms to which horses are exposed. Ammonia buildup from urine soaked bedding can play havoc with a horses respiratory system. And speaking of bedding, look for products that dont have small flakes or become dusty these can also prove problematic to your horses breathing.

By following these tips, your horse can have a safe trip and be healthy when he arrives!

by: Stacy West

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