Skip to main content
 
  • Share this page on Facebook
  • Print this page

Transport and Care of Horses

Transporting your Horse

Transport of horses must be done carefully. Horses that have not been trained for  transport can be difficult and sometimes dangerous. It is important that you  have the right type of equipment and horse moving vehicle to transport your horse in.

Key Things to Remember:

Photograph of a pony being loaded into a horse floatEnsure that your vehicle (horse truck or float) is strong and secure enough to safetly contain the horse and prevent escape. A rigid roof over the length of the crate is desirable.

  • Internal surfaces of the float/truck should be smooth and free of obstructions/hazards that could cause injury (protruding  nails/clips etc.)
  • Flooring of float/truck and loading ramps should be made of a non-slippery surface and if necessary be fitted with foot  battens.
  • Each horse should be able to stand in a natural position with adequate head room and enough space between horses for air circulation.
  • Adjustable partition boards should always  be used when  transporting more than one horse – partitions should be at least 600mm high and placed at least 600mm off the floor.
  • If you are moving your horse using a two horse trailer, a single  horse should be tied on the driver’s side and the centre partition removed for improve vehicle balance.
  • If transporting two horses, the heavier horse should be penned on the driver’s side.
  • Ensure that the vehicle is not polluting the air inside the transport area.
  • Ensure that the transport area is clean and  dry.
  • Correctly fit any protective equipment (rugs, knee or hock boots, bandages, hoods etc.) before loading your horse.
  • Headstalls and  lead ropes are usually the  easiest way of leading your horse into and out of a transport vehicle and  securing them.

Diagram showing how to tie ropes for leading horses

  • Sticks, lengths  of plastic, metal piping, heavy leather belts/straps, and any other objects must not be  used to beat horses when loading/unloading them.
  • Dogs or electric prods must never be used to aid the loading of horses. 
  • Transporting over long distances – check your horse after 30mins in transit and then every 4 hours. 
  • When you arrive at your destination quietly  enter your transport vehicle, untie your horse before lowering the ramp and allow it to move out of the  transport vehicle at its own pace.
  • Horses should be unloaded from the transport  vehicle as soon as you reach your destination and offered food and water and a  comfortable place to rest. If your horse appears stiff from travelling you  should walk him/her around gently until movement improves.

Caring for your Horse:

Your horse requires food, water, shelter and space. The following  is a list of basic requirements. For more information please visit Basic Horse Care

Supervision:

  • You need to check your horse at least once every day to  ensure they have adequate water, feed and they are not injured.
  • If your horse is injured  seek veterinary advice immediately.

Shelter/Space/Exercise:

  • Horses require room to walk and run – a general rule of thumb is 2 acres (1 Ha) per horse of grazing area.
  • Horses require shelter from extremes of sun, wind and rain. Trees  and or a walk-in shed make suitable shelter in your paddock. [A waterproof rug may help protect your horse from cold weather, but it must be checked daily for slipping, leaking and rubbing]
  • Sick or injured horses may need to be confined under the  directions of a veterinarian – you will need access to a yard/stable for confinement. Long-term tethering of horses is not acceptable.
  • Ensure that the fences of your paddock are in good repair to  prevent injury or escape.
  • Ensure that your paddock is  free from rubbish and weeds that could cause illness or injury.

Agistment: keeping your horse on land owned by someone else. Generally,  unless otherwise agreed to, you are responsible for the day to day maintenance  and care of your horse when agisted.

For information about your responsibilities and rights in an agistment arrangement please visit: Agistment for horses

Feed and Water:

                                                                           

      Horse    Size

Forage/Roughage    Requirement (pasture, hay or chaff)

Water    requirement

Supplementary    feed

Pony
      (up to 13.5 hands, 200-350kg)

3-7kg/day

Clean water must always be available – dams or self-filling    troughs are the most appropriate. If your water supply is not self-filling it    must be checked daily.

     

25-45L in hot weather

May be required if ridden    regularly depending on horse condition – if ribs are showing horse is too    thin -pronounced rump and thickened neck visible, horse too fat

Galloway
      (13.5-15 hands, 350-500kg)

7-10kg/day

Horse
      (15-16.5 hands, 500-650kg)

10-13kg/day

Heavy Horse
      (16.5+ hands, 650+kg)

13+  kg/day

Horses require access to  approximately 1-2kg of good quality feed (pasture, hay or chaff) per 100kg body  weight each day.

Handy-Hints

  • Supplementary feed may also  be necessary if you are riding your horse regularly, or if your horse is  underweight, pregnant or lactating
  • Salt lick or mineral  blocks should be made available in paddock.

Further information  about feeding horses can be obtained from Basic Horse Care

General Horse Care:


      Feet

Teeth

Worming

Should be trimmed by a farrier every 6-8 weeks.
Shoes required if horse is being ridden on rough or rocky ground.
Cost: $35-$100

Must be checked by a horse dentist every 12 months.
Horses under 5 years of age or being fed grain regularly should be checked every 3-6 months

Worming horses prevents worm build up in intestine
Should be done every 6-8 weeks
Reduce manure in paddocks to reduce worm contamination.

Vaccination

Body    Condition

Laminitis

Veterinary advice should be sought regarding vaccination against    tetanus, viral respiratory disease and strangles.

Avoid allowing your horse to become too fat or too thin – see
DPI Agnote “Condition Scoring and Weight Estimation of Horses” for more information.

Occurs in overweight horses.
Painful hoof condition that can become untreatable.
If your horse appears lame, uncomfortable or stands in water for long periods consult your vet immediately.

*Company – horses require company  either in the same or neighbouring paddocks. Horses kept on their own can develop behaviour problems.

Riding your horses: If you have little or no experience riding a  horse you should seek professional training from a riding instructor, pony/adult horse club, or riding establishment.

Purchasing properly fitting riding equipment is essential to ensure  your safety and prevent injury to your horse. Consult with your local saddlery and/or riding instructor for advice on the appropriate riding equipment for you and your horse.

For more information about transport  and care of horses contact: DPI Customer Service Centre on Ph 136 186 or email customer@dpi.vic.gov.au, or visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/farming/horses.