5 tips for optimal preparation and travel
In the winter season, many stables head for Southern Europe or UAE, in order to take part in tours. Or even for Florida to spend the winter there. Traveling has a huge effect on our horses: the journeys are long, tiring and are not always without stress either. Did you know that 1 hour of travel takes as much energy as 1 hour of walking? Good preparation before the trip, as well as purposeful care during and after travelling, contribute to your horse’s optimal health. The nutritionists at Cavalor wrote a number of tips for good preparation and provide tips for travelling to go as smoothly as possible, so that your horse appears fit and healthy at the start.
TIP 1: Boost your horse’s resistance even before leaving
Horses often experience stress during a trip. Stress causes an increase in adrenaline and cortisol, which suppresses resistance. In this way, stress makes horses more susceptible to infections. When arriving at locations with many different horses standing close to one another, where each horse brings its own microbes with it, there is a considerable risk of infections. This does not always mean that the horses are clearly ill, but it does have an effect on their performance. A strong immune system helps horses to prevent infections and illnesses. Horses with good resistance are beter able to defend themselves against harmful micro-organisms, such as viruses and bacteria. All the energy that horses put into fighting an infection is not able to be used for performing, improving their condition or building muscles. Therefore, horses with good resistance also perform better. Optimally support your horse’s resistance before the trip starts.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
Start with a supplement for supporting resistance at least 10 days before departure, such as Cavalor Resist + Vit C. And continue this for a few days after arrival as well. Cavalor Resist + Vit C is a mix including herbs and antioxidants, which support the immune system in different ways in order to maintain resistance.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
You may add apple juice or a mash, such as Cavalor Mash & Mix, as flavouring. It is ideal for rehydration and very tasty so horses love to eat it. Carrots are also ideal for ensuring your horse obtains sufficient fluids: a carrot consists of 90% fluids.
TIP 2: Add a flavour to the water
In addition to fatigue, horses are also often dehydrated after a long trip. This is not ideal since dehydration may cause constipation colic and increase the chance of travel sickness. Therefore, it is important that horses drink enough during and after travelling. Sometimes water tastes differently in a transport vehicle, which may cause your horse to not want to drink as much. If horses have difficulty with drinking enough water during the trip, it can help to add some flavour to their water. Begin this at home a few days before departure, so that your horses may already get used to it. Then, add the same flavour to the water during the trip. This helps to ensure that the horses drink enough while they are en route.
TIP 3: Give horses a lot of fiber prior to departure
A horse can lose up to 5% of its body weight during a 24-hour trip. In addition, trips also require a lot of energy. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your horse has sufficient energy during the trip. Give your horse enough water and fibre-rich feed before departure: this ensures that energy is released gradually, which is ideal for a long journey.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
A horse can lose up to 5% of its body weight during a 24-hour trip. In addition, trips also require a lot of energy. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your horse has sufficient energy during the trip. Give your horse enough water and fibre-rich feed before departure: this ensures that energy is released gradually, which is ideal for a long journey.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
Roughage is the most important to avoid stomach problems. If you want to give your horse extra support during the trip, consider Cavalor Gastro Aid Paste. This paste neutralises stomach acid and protects the stomach lining. It is in a convenient tube and is thus easy to administer during the trip.
TIP 4: Give your horse roughage during the trip – preferably from the ground
Make sure you always give your horse roughage during the trip. Sensitive horses can have stomach problems during travelling. Stress plays an important role in this, but also filling the stomach. A horse’s stomach constantly produces stomach acid. When the stomach is empty, the stomach acid will irritate the stomach lining and cause sores or ulcers. Always give roughage from on the ground during breaks, in order to prevent infections such as travel fever. On order to avoid infections, such as travel fever, ensure that your horse can move its head downward. In this way, your horse can cough up bacteria.
TIP 5: Rest is the best medicine for recovery during a long trip
Travelling has a big impact on our horses’ bodies. Therefore, also give your horse enough rest to recover after the trip. A lot of roughage and water (with extra electrolytes) contribute to a good recovery. In this way, you can be sure that your horse is ready to compete again after a long trip.
ESSENTIAL WHILE TRAVELLING
Cavalor Emergency 911. Are you going on a trip? Then, definitely take Emergency 911 along! This paste is especially for horses that have issues with intestinal problems while travelling, such as loose manure, or that are susceptible to colic. Quick-acting supplement to get the intestines back into balance in a short period of time. Use Emergency 911 before, during and after a trip for horses that are showing signs of discomfort.
CHECKLIST
- 10 days before leaving: Boost resistance: start with a course of Cavalor Resist + Vit C
- 3 days before leaving: Add flavour to the water with Cavalor Mash&Mix
- Evening before leaving: Extra fibre and water with Cavalor Strucomash Beet
- Morning of departure: Don’t forget electrolytes! And give sensitive horses a tube of Cavalor Gastro Aid Paste and / or Emergency 911.
- Don’t forget to bring: Cavalor Emergency 911
