Safe horse transport depends on proper vehicle maintenance, thoughtful trailer selection, responsible driving, and effective emergency preparednessPerform a safety check on your truck and trailer before every haul, including the electrical system, hitch, and chains, and double check all your connections before pulling out. | Alexandra Beckstett/The HorseSafely traveling with horses involves careful planning and attention to factors such as loading and unloading protocols, trailer design, leg protection, and emergency preparedness. Whether the trip spans a short distance or a long one, every aspect of transport should promote horses safety and well-being.Safety Concerns When Traveling With HorsesKeeping your horse safe during trailering starts with performing a safety check on your truck and trailer before travel. Be sure the electrical system is correctly connected to the hauling vehicle so the trailer brakes and lights work. The hitch and chains should not have any damage and be attached properly, and the interior of the trailer should be free of any hazards such as loose divider pins. Adding reflective strips to the sides and back of the trailer can help increase visibility for other drivers.A drivers skill and awareness significantly impact the horses experience during transit. Smooth stopping and careful turns help prevent scrambling, injuries, and behavioral issues related to trailering, says Sara Mastellar, PhD, associate professor at The Ohio State Universitys Agricultural Technical Institute, in Wooster. Her role includes equine science instruction and hands-on education in such topics as horsemanship, management, nutrition, and research.Installing a camera inside the trailer can provide valuable insight into how a horse reacts to driving conditions and allows you to quickly notice any problems, she adds.Erica Jacquay, PhD, assistant professor of equine studies at Midway University, in Kentucky, spent time earlier in her career studying how travel affects horses. Research suggests that transportation stress, as indicated through factors such as elevated heart rate, increased vocalization and defecation, and increased stress hormones such as cortisol, is a normal coping mechanism to the change in environment, movement, and isolation associated with transportation, she says.Horses can develop respiratory diseases such as shipping fevera pulmonary disorder associated with transportalthough theyre usually associated with long-distance travel. Jacquay recommends drivers make regular stops to allow horses to rest and hydrate, while also checking the horses temperature, pulse, and respiration to monitor their health status. Owners should also take their horses vitals in the 24 to 48 hours following long distance transport because some horses might not show an elevated temperature directly after unloading, says Jacquay.There have also been various research studies that suggest it is important to allow horses to lower their head below chest level, especially when being transported long distance, to clear their respiratory tract from potential pathogens, says Jacquay. Dust from hay or bedding in the trailer can also lead to respiratory problems if owners do not address it with proper ventilation, low-dust materials, and wetting the hay before travel.Choosing the Right Horse TrailerNo single trailer suits every situation; choosing the right one depends on factors such as your horses size, the number of horses you usually haul, and how far you typically travel. When purchasing a trailer, check that all componentsincluding the floor, hitch, and safety chainsare structurally sound and appropriate for safely transporting your horses.Horse owners can select from three main horse trailer types: straight load (pictured), slant load, and horse van (where truck and trailer are combined into one vehicle). | Adobe stockDetermine which horse trailer stylebumper-pull, gooseneck, or vanwill best suit you and your horses needs. Research shows that horses might prefer to face backwards (but not tied) and be transported in a wider bay due to the ability to maintain balance easier, says Jacquay. However, in a recent survey she and her colleagues conducted while in her previous role, they found most owners transport their horses in a straight- or slant-load trailer with the majority of horses tied facing forward.Also consider the type of horse you will most likely haul. Draft horses, Miniature Horses, and mare-and-foal pairs might need specialized layouts, says Mastellar. If your trailer has dividers, hay mangers, or breast or butt bars, you might need to make adjustments based on what type of horse you haul.Features to look for include adequate ventilation, a way to safely provide hay, and the ability to tie at an appropriate height, she says. These features will help protect the horses respiratory and gastric health. Well-placed windows and human doors are important for ventilation, light exposure, and safety, but they must be designed to prevent panicked horses from attempting to escape through openings too small for them, she adds.Smooth and padded walls and dividers can help reduce the risk of injury, while nonslip flooring minimizes the risk of horses losing their footing. Clean your trailer after each trip, and pull the mats up to allow the floor to dry so urine does not rot any of the wood underneath. Regular maintenance checks should include inspecting the trailers structural integrity, flooring condition, and door latches to prevent problems on the road.Loading and Unloading ProtocolsBefore loading, make sure to have completed a safety check on the trailer, including making sure to scout for any wasp nests, says Mastellar. Have your hay waiting inside for the horse and have all your other gear loaded first, so that you can get underway quickly and have airflow in the trailer, especially on hot days. Be sure you have packed a travel first-aid and emergency kit.Related Content | Troubleshooting Horse Trailer Loading: One Step at a TimeTraining and habituation of the horse is also really important, says Mastellar. A horse that is comfortable and relaxed about loading and unloading is going to be safer to work around. She recommends practicing walking the horse over different types of flooring and working with a competent professional who can help you read your horses behavior while training him to load, especially in stressful situations. Trailer loading is a valuable skill for a horse to have, and it is worth putting some time in to make sure it is solid, she adds.Jacquay emphasizes taking your time and completing this trainingand practice for horses already trained to loadin a calm, safe environment. This is the best way to prevent potential injury or stress when loading and unloading, especially once the horse is in an unfamiliar location or during an emergency.Make sure to communicate clearly to all handlers to prevent accidents and human injury. Teach anyone learning to load/unload horses how to safely tie, work clips and latches, and (about) safe places to stand for the particular rig before bringing a horse into the picture, says Mastellar.Handling Injuries During TransportTake your time loading and unloading your horses. This will help them stay calm and relaxed, reducing the risk of injury. | Getty imagesIf a horse sustains an injury during transport, your response depends on the severity of the injury and whats going on around you, traffic and otherwise. For example, if the horse kicked his leg through the trailer floor, its important to stop immediately to prevent further injury. However, in less potentially catastrophic cases where stopping could create a dangerous situation, it might be best to continue to your destination or a safe turnout or rest area before assessing the injury, says Mastellar. A trailer camera can help detect issues in real-time. Without one, injuries might only become apparent upon arrival.In case of severe injury, when you must stop, take safety measures to secure both the injured horse and any other horses in the trailer. In most cases its best to leave the horse on the trailer. However, if unloading is necessary, ensure the area is safe and other horses are secured before opening trailer doors or windows or moving the injured horse. In severe cases you might need to wait for a veterinarian or emergency services to help you move and treat the horse.Before calling for assistance, assess the situation after stopping in a safe area and gather information on the injured horses condition. If possible, take videos and pictures, which can help a veterinarian determine the next steps based on the horses apparent demeanor, the injury or problem, and the surroundings.Responding to Vehicle AccidentsIn the event an accident occurs while transporting horses, human safety should be the priority. Assess the situation and contact emergency services immediately, says Mastellar. If possible, take steps such as moving the rig to a safer location and/or lighting flares to prevent further hazards. Try to evaluate the horses from outside the trailer before opening any windows or doors. Check to see if any horses have fallen or been injured during the accident. Only unload horses once help has arrived because attempting to do so alone could put you or your horses at risk of injury or further accident.To stay prepared while hauling horses, Jacquay recommends having an emergency plan in place, including knowing who to call if an accident happens. Keep your emergency contact information, including horse owner and veterinarian names and phone numbers, in both the truck and trailer to help first responders in the event you cant assist with the horses. Also, if your horses are insured, have the insurance companys contact information on hand. As mentioned earlier, keep an emergency first-aid kit with bandages, medications, and other essential supplies accessible so you can provide immediate care if needed.The Role of Leg ProtectionThe best protection in the trailer is probably smooth, safe driving and a horse that has learned to travel well, says Mastellar. However, unexpected things can happen on the road. The coronary band and lower limbs are vulnerable to injury, and protective gear including bell boots, commercial shipping boots, or well-applied standing wraps can help protect them, she adds.In our survey we only found about a quarter of people used some form of leg or hoof protection when transporting their horses three hours or less, says Jacquay. While there are the obvious added benefits of providing support and protection, if they are not the correct size, applied improperly, or shift during transport, the use of leg or hoof protection could cause more harm than good. Wraps and boots that slip during transit can tangle around the horses legs and cause injuries.During the warmer months, some owners opt to skip equine leg protection because it can generate excessive heat in the lower limbs. It is very common for horses to be successfully transported long distances commercially by road and air without the use of leg protection, says Jacquay. If you choose to use shipping boots or standing wraps, be sure they fit properly and securely before loading your horse.Take-Home MessageTransporting your horse safely involves a combination of proper vehicle maintenance, thoughtful trailer selection, responsible driving, and effective emergency preparedness. Train and practice loading and unloading in calm, familiar settings to help your horses load more easily and safely in unfamiliar situations.By anticipating and addressing potential risks and preparing for how to respond to them, owners can reduce their horses stress during transit and help them arrive safely at their destination.This article is from the Summer 2025 issue ofThe Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care. We at The Horse work to provide you with the latest and most reliable news and information on equine health, care, management, and welfare through our magazine and TheHorse.com. 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