Horse Trailering and Preparation

1. Take the proper steps to notify feeders and stall cleaners that your horse is away and the dates of departure and return.
   a. Note on the horse's stall white board.
   b. Note on the feed room door.
   c. Sticky note over the horse's square on the feed chart so his meals will not be dished up while he is not at home.
   d. X in the box for stall cleaning on each of the days he will be away.
2. Prepare a hay net for the trip
3. Groom your horse and offer him water from the cool out tank
4. Load him in the trailer
   a. Hang his hay net in his trailer area
   b. Lead him in; you always face forward; do not turn to look at him
   c. Have a helper close the rear door so that your horse cannot decide to unload himself.
   d. Have a helper hold your horse's face at the window as you close his divider (keep his face in his area, not reaching over to aggravate his trailer neighbor.)
   e. Attached his trailer tie to the left side of his halter, and remove the lead rope.
   f. Be sure all doors, dividers, windows, etc. are securely closed for the ride.
5. Unload your horse at your destination
   a. Have your helper prepare his face for unloading: clip the leadrope back on his halter, then     unhook the trailer tie.
   b. Open his divider or door and let him back out (slowly); it helps some horses if you say "step" or "down" as he comes to the end of the trailer. If your horse wants to stop and look to the back during his backing up, let him look and continue backing.
6. Unload your horse as you return home. Offer him water from the tank; he may not have drunk normal amounts of water while he was away. If he is very thirsty, you may need to monitor his water intake just like we do after a workout.
7. Return both your horse and his stall to normal. This means refilling his water buckets, rehanging and connecting his fans, etc.
8. Return all tack and equipment to normal. Assist in trailer cleaning, etc. Assist in cleaning/returning/storing all 4-H and barn supplies, etc. (fans, coolers, tables, carpets, feed room supplies, etc.)
9. Be sure to take proper steps to notify feeders and stall cleaners that your horse has returned and is to be cared for again as normal.
   a. Remove the note from his white board on the stall.
   b. Remove the note from the feed room door.
   c. Remove the sticky note covering his name from the feed chart.
   d. Be sure his stall is done and is signed up for once again.