Article: Fill a hay net completely and attach it to the inside of the trailer where your horse can easily reach it. Additionally, provide plenty of fresh water in a container or bucket that's secured at either ground level or shoulder-height for your horse. Make sure your horse is facing its food and water supplies so it can easily consume them. Having food in front of it will cause your horse to move its head around to eat and drink. Continual head movement will reduce your horse's risk of contracting "shipping fever." Shipping fever is a respiratory illness that's common among horses transported long distances in close quarters. It occurs when the animal is unable to drop its head to cough, which can result in bacteria being trapped inside its lungs. Be sure to refill your horse's food and water every few hundred miles to pacify it and keep its energy up. Regular stops will give your horse a chance to rest its legs, which will undoubtedly be tired from constantly balancing to maintain stability in the back of the moving vehicle. This is also a good opportunity to replenish its food and water and take it out for a short energizing trot, if you're in a safe place to do so. The best time to trot your horse is when you're surrounded by miles of open pasture, desert, or other quiet, spacious terrain. Avoid letting your horse out of the truck or trailer if you're near a main road. Even if its not in immediate danger, the sounds of passing automobiles could cause it to spook, which will making wrangling it back into the vehicle a challenge. Similarly, don't unload your horse if you had a difficult time getting it into the trailer. If you've got a long road ahead of you, veterinarians recommend pulling over after about half a day's worth of travel time to give both you and your horse a much-needed break. Allow your horse to rest for at least 8 hours before you head on to your next stop. Plan your overnight stops in locations where you can rent a stall at a commercial stable. Horses experience travel exhaustion just like people do. If you find yourself feeling fatigued after a lengthy drive, chances are your horse is, too. Start by sweeping the leftover feed and soiled bedding material into a trash bag to discard separately. Pull up any removable floor mats, along with leads, haynets, and other loose fittings. Spray the floor, walls, and ceiling of the interior compartment with a power washer on a low pressure setting, then scrub them with a stiff-bristled brush and disinfectant soap while they're still wet. When you're done, rinse all exposed surfaces with your power washer. For health reasons, it's important to wear thick work gloves, a face mask or respirator, and protective long-sleeved clothing, especially if your animal has recently been sick. Always sanitize your transport within 24 hours of unloading your horse.
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Provide food in a hay net and water in a secure container. Take rest stops every 2-3 hours. Stop every 12 hours on longer trips to put your horse up for the night. Sanitize your truck or trailer thoroughly after arriving at your destination.