How to Haul a Horse Long Distance Safely: Rest Stops, Trailer Checks and Mountain Roads

On the morning of Oct. 6, a truck and trailer carrying four horses from Manitoba and Alberta hit a rock wall on Highway 1, about 40 km east of Revelstoke, B.C. Three horses died, including Fearless and Rosaria, and the fourth was taken straight to a veterinarian. For many riders, the news is a reason to look again at how to haul a horse long distance, and this guide is meant to help.

The horses were headed to the Equestrian Canada National Dressage and Para Dressage Championships (West) at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, which begin Oct. 9. Equestrian Canada said it mourns the three horses and sent its sympathy to riders, owners, families and support teams. It is offering mental health support, will share support contacts with everyone at the championships, and is organizing a fundraiser at the show for the people affected.

Our thoughts are with all of them. This article does not speculate about the cause of the crash.

How to haul a horse long distance: plan the trip first

How to haul a horse long distance safely comes down to three things: a rig that has been checked and is rated for the load, a route and schedule built around regular water and rest, and a rested driver. Everything else on this page fills in those three.

Canada's Code of Practice for equines starts even earlier. It asks owners to judge each horse's fitness for each trip, considering the length of the trip and the weather, and to call a vet when unsure. Unfit horses should not travel except to get veterinary care.

Route and weather

• Check the whole route the night before and the morning of. Use the official road report for each province or state, such as DriveBC in British Columbia.
• Know your passes. Mountain routes can see snow in early fall. In B.C., winter tires or chains are required on most highways from Oct. 1 until March 31 or April 30, depending on the route.
• Drive in daylight. Time the mountain stretches for midday when you can, and avoid crossing a pass at dusk in fall.
• Have a plan B. Pick an overnight stable in advance and one backup in case a road closes.
• Save vet contacts along the route. The Code of Practice recommends carrying vet and local-authority numbers for the whole trip.

The driver matters too

A tired driver is a risk to every horse in the trailer. Plan short driving days, share the wheel when you can, and stop the moment you feel drowsy.

On steep grades, slow down before the descent, use a lower gear, and leave extra room. University of Kentucky guidance also asks drivers to brake and accelerate gently and let horses regain balance after every turn.

Horse trailer safety checklist before you leave

The University of Kentucky's Saddle Up SAFELY booklet suggests a full trailer inspection at least once a year: pull the mats, check the floor, and have wheel bearings and brakes serviced. Then run this list before every trip.

• Weight ratings: Know your truck's towing capacity and gross combination weight rating (GCWR), and the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Don't exceed any of them with horses, hay, water and tack loaded.
• Hitch: Locked, pinned and checked for rust or cracks. Safety chains crossed under the tongue.
• Brakes: Electric brakes adjusted for the load; breakaway battery charged.
• Tires: Pressure at the manufacturer's number, good tread, no dry rot, load-rated for the weight. Carry a spare for truck and trailer, plus a jack that fits both.
• Floor: Wood without soft spots or rot; aluminum without stress cracks.
• Lights: Brake, turn and running lights tested every time, before loading.
• Inside: No wasp nests, sharp edges or loose dividers. Window bars or screens in place so no horse can put its head out.

On the road, check tires and the hitch at every stop. A hand on each hub tells you if a bearing is running hot.

How often to stop when trailering horses

The University of Kentucky booklet advises offering water at least every 2 to 4 hours. It also suggests no more than about eight hours on the road without a layover, where horses can be unloaded to move and stretch.

A horse can lose 2 to 5 pounds (about 1 to 2 kg) of body weight for every hour it travels, more in hot weather. Many horses also won't urinate while the trailer is moving.

A simple stop routine

1. Park somewhere level and safe, never on a highway shoulder unless it's an emergency.
2. Offer water to each horse. Bring water from home, or get your horse used to flavored water before the trip so new water tastes familiar.
3. Let each horse lower its head if possible. Veterinary guidance links heads tied high for hours to poorer airway clearing and a higher risk of shipping fever.
4. Look at every horse: sweat, shifting, scrapes, manure and urine.
5. Remove wet bedding and manure, and open vents for fresh air.
6. Recheck the hitch, tires and lights before rolling.

On long hauls, The Horse recommends offering hay and water at least every four to six hours (more often in summer). Avoid feed changes right before or during the trip, and pack extra hay for delays.

Legal limits in Canada

Under Canada's Health of Animals Regulations, horses must not go more than 28 hours without feed, water and rest. That is a legal maximum, not a target: good practice is far shorter.

Shipping fever and dehydration: signs and when to call the vet

Shipping fever is a lung infection, sometimes pneumonia or pleuropneumonia, that can follow long trips. Stress, dust and a head held up for hours make it harder for the airways to clear.

Timing catches owners off guard. In a 2019 study of 53 young horses trucked 36 to 61 hours, fever was most common 20 to 49 hours after departure, and more than half of the horses that ran a fever on the road had a normal temperature on arrival.

Signs to watch for

• Fever: a resting temperature above about 101.5 °F (38.6 °C)
• Cough, nasal discharge or fast, shallow breathing
• Dullness, low appetite or not drinking
• Less manure than usual, or signs of colic
• Tacky gums or skin that stays tented when pinched (dehydration)

Take your horse's temperature twice a day for at least three days after a long haul. If it's high, or you see any sign above, call your vet the same day: early care matters with shipping fever.

Our first aid and vital signs guide shows how to take a temperature, and our colic signs guide covers the gut risks of dehydration.

After arrival, give 24 hours of rest after a trip under 12 hours and two to three days after longer trips, per The Horse. Keep new arrivals apart from resident horses for at least seven days, as the Code of Practice recommends. Our EHV-1 guide explains why show biosecurity matters.

Hiring a horse hauler: questions to ask

Canada's Code of Practice recommends that only trained people load, haul and unload horses, and that you agree on the details with the driver in advance. Ask before you book:

• Licensing and insurance: In the U.S., licensed commercial haulers must have a USDOT number on the truck. Ask for proof of insurance that covers the horses.
• Route and timing: How many days? How many other pickups? Where are the overnight layovers?
• Stops: How often do horses get water and a break? Can they lower their heads?
• Equipment: Will the stall fit your horse's size? Is there a box stall option for long hauls?
• Winter readiness: Do they carry chains and track pass conditions?
• References: Talk to people who shipped recently over the same kind of route.
• Contact: A phone number for the driver during the trip, and agreement on who calls the vet if needed.

Put the plan in writing: pickup time, destination, special needs, and how the horse will be kept warm or cool.

Emergency kit and an ID sheet on the trailer

If something goes wrong, responders may not know horses are on board, or whose they are. A clear sheet saves time.

The ID and contact sheet

Tape one copy inside the trailer door and keep one in the truck's glove box.

• Each horse's name, color, markings and a photo
• Owner and emergency contact numbers, plus one person who can make decisions
• Your vet's number and insurance details
• Destination address and contact
• Health papers, such as a negative Coggins test for U.S. travel

The trailer kit

• Horse and human first aid kits, and a thermometer
• Spare halters and lead ropes, and a sharp knife to cut a tied rope
• Water from home, buckets, extra hay and bedding
• Flashlight, reflective triangles and a fire extinguisher
• Spare tires, jack, tire iron and a portable air compressor
• Roadside assistance that will tow a loaded horse trailer

For everyday handling around trailers, see our safety guide.

What to do this week and what to watch next

• Before your next fall haul: Run the checklist above and book the annual trailer service if it's overdue.
• Check passes daily: Fall weather on mountain routes changes fast, and winter tire rules are already in force in B.C.
• Practice loading: A horse that loads calmly is safer on every trip.
• Watch the championships: The national dressage West championships run at Thunderbird Show Park starting Oct. 9, with the fundraiser for those affected by the crash. New to the sport? Our dressage explainer is a good start.

Most hauls end quietly, and good habits are why. For more routines, browse our care guide.