In July, I will be taking my horses to Missouri for a week long riding vacation. I've done this for the past several years, but last year my horse got sick the day we headed home.  She came down with the snots, and had equilibrium problems and was having balance issues in the trailer on the ride home.  It was expensive to treat, and I don't want to deal with it again.  I feel like I could have prevented her illness somehow. I'm not sure if it was stress induced or germ related.  Is there some sort of immune booster or something I can give my horses prior to their trip? They're in good health and condition, but long trips are stressful no matter what.  They're all current on vaccinations, and are used to going in the trailer and on shorter trips.  The total trailering time is about 6 hours one way. I feel like I was so excited about going on the trip and getting there that I didn't do enough to prepare the horse, therefore causing her to be under stress and become sick.

On another subject, some people think electrolytes are overkill, my horses drink well, so are they necessary?  The ones you add to the water are disgusting.  Yes, I drank my horses water before giving it to her.  I don't blame her for not liking it.  If I should use electrolytes, what kind?  Missouri in July is pretty hot.

I just want the trip to go smoothly. I'm getting in touch with my vet to get some bute and banamine to take along.  A friend's horse had a nearly fatal episode of colic last year during the ride.  I hope to God it never happens to one of my horses, but you never know. 

Amanda

Did she contract Rhino or Strangles? I would give her a booster shot now if it has been more than 6 months since her last vac. And yes electrolytes are a good idea. They are not only used to get a horse to drink, but for replacing sodium, potassium and chloride because these are the major ones lost in sweat during the summer. You can buy single does tubes from horse.com and give it to her like wormer paste. I feed wheat bran with grain and add the powder electrolytes to it and make a bran mash. They love it and the bran gives extra fiber.

Stress is normal for your horse, but if she is not used to traveling, day trips are beneficial in getting her used to new locations. Also stress is less if feeding the same grain, hay etc at the same time as at home. I also give my horses access to hay at all times while camping. Monitoring water intake is key to reducing colic episodes.

Probably the most important thing to remember is to make sure you exercise your horse frequently before the trip. That means start riding now to get her fit for the ride. Not sure where you are going in MO, but most likely where you are going is hilly and rocky.

Also locate a vet closest to where you will staying and contact them for emergency hours, number and whether they are familar with horses. Then call a few days before to see what vet will be on call. I always do this when traveling.

Have a great time!

She didn't get strangles, she was vaccinated for that.  Not sure if it was rhino or not.  She just had big yellow nose goobers and looked like she felt rotten. Antibiotics fixed her right up, and were very expensive.

Amanda

Your horse may have had what they call 'shipping fever' which is an upper respiratory infection. They supposedly can come down with this from short or long trips. When you travel, be sure your horse can lower its head enough to drain the sinuses when traveling and make sure there is sufficient air flow in the trailer. Electrolytes are great but only give them when you know your horse will be drinking. You can actually dehydrate your horse somewhat if you give them without sufficient water intake. I would suggest to give them when you arrive at your destination(s) if your horse does not drink very well when travelling, or give them the day before you travel so your horse will be very hydrated when you start. Many people have strong opinions about e-lytes and they vary quite a lot. Talk to your vet if you're not sure to get accurate information about lytes.

I understand what it is to haul in the heat. We hauled for several years from Florida to Pa and Vt in August.

Here's wishing you a safe trip!

What flavor?

THey like the grape.