What do you recommend I put on a 12 hand pony who is going to travel 6-7 hours in a slant load trailer?

Question

What shipping boots are the most reliable to stay on? And what do you suggest in the case that this mare is not used to wearing boots/polo wraps. Does she need bell boots as well? I will not be present for the loading, but she is good in the trailer. I am looking for something rather easy and fool proof to put on and stay on...if that option exists! I want her to be as comfortable and as safe as possible.

What type of sheet or blanket for shipping? It should be cool, and possibly rainy spring weather at the time of shipping.

Links to favorite products and supply sites are appreciated. Lowest prices on quality products are especially appreciated : )

Answer 1

use polo wraps and a tail gaurd/bandage

also put a light fleece/fly sheet on her to if nececery put a poll gaurd on her too. make sure she has a hay net to keep her busy

Answer 2

Shipping boots are a good call. I use them even for 5 min trips to protect my horses. If you are buying them, be sure to get the kind that cover her hocks, thats where a lot of injures can occur. My shipping boots cover where her bell boots would cover so I don't see a need for those.

As for her never wearing them, when I bought my horse he had never worn shipping boots either. We put them on one at a time and walked him in them for 5-10 min until he was used to having something on his feet. He did walk funny and try to shake them off, but he had no issues in the trailer, we trailered for 4 hours. Just make sure she is calm and comfortable with them before getting in. Once you are moving, she won't be able to do much to shake them off anyways, she will be trying to stay balanced.

I have these shipping boots (or at leasts the older version of them) http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

They are excellent, no problems with them and they are very sturdy. Worth every penny. They cover all the important parts and have the re-enforced material down near the hooves to withstand accidental steps on them etc.

What state are you shipping in? If its during the day you prob won't need a sheet. Just make sure she has a window or some sort of ventilation and air circulation in the trailer. Only if your traveling at night or in snow etc would you need a blanket. Horses are really great at regulating their own temps. If you do stop with her on the road, offer her water, although don't be worried if she doesn't drink, most horses dont feel comfortable enough to drink on long trips (at least none of our horses do) but if you had some hay or something in a hay net in the trailer to keep her occupied and happy that would be nice :) Typically our rule for trailering is stop every 5-6 hours for a water/food/stretch break, but since your trip is that long its better to just get her home and comfortable. We only use that rule on out of state trips etc.

A poll guard might be a good idea, I can't give too much opinion on that since I don't use them. Especially if she is good in the trailer you prob wont need it, she won't be tossing her head etc and if she loads and unloads fine she won't risk a head injury.

Good luck!

Answer 3

If she's not used to shipping boots, don't try to ship her in them.  They'll drive her nuts, and she'll get them off.  They don't provide much protection, anyway.

If you feel you MUST put some protection on her, use polowraps or something similar; they stay on better.  If you don't know how to put them on, don't use them, as again they'll do more harm than good.

Whatever you choose, make sure it's pony sized!

I've shipped horses all over the US and I gave up on boots and wraps long ago.  They don't stay on, the horses don't like them, and they don't protect enough to be worth it.  

As far as sheets or blankets, use what you use in the barn.  While shipping, the horse is inside and won't need more.  Make sure the trailer is well ventilated; they can become like a sauna with the horse sweating and respiring.  

The best thing to do to make her comfortable and safe is to get a really good driver, have him take his time, and use a really good trailer, with good suspension, plenty of room, good ventilation, and so on.

Answer 4

I would use standing wraps over soft cottons, with bell boots.  I also would not use a blanket during shipping.  Your pony will fry even if it is cool out.

Answer 5

Its not the staying on that is the problem, its how good they are at protecting.

I dont take my horse on long journeys so i just use shipping boots and have no worries.

I would also put on a poll guard and a light sheet that is fly proof.

You shouldnt need over-reach boots because your horse is not moving alot.

Answer 6

being that she isnt used to wraps, i would just put bell boots on her, to keep her from stepping on herself in the front. if you want to, you can also put bell boots on the back; it wont hurt anything. if she is good in the trailer, she really wont need elaborate wraps. if you use shipping boots when she's not used to them, she'll pull them off, no matter what you do.  but the bell boots will protect her coronet band. as for the sheet, she probably doesnt need one, but if you want to use one, i would put a fly or scrim sheet on her. just comething cool and airy. usually for long hauls i put a poll guard on my horses, but i dont think she'll need one cuz shes so small! =]