Summer travel season is in full swing, and that means longer hauls, hotter days, and greater challenges when it comes to keeping your horse healthy and comfortable on the road. Whether you're headed to a rodeo, jackpot, or relocating for the season, here are essential tips to ensure hydration, comfort, and performance along the way.

Pre-Trip Prep: Set Your Horse Up for Success

1. Hydration Begins Before You Load
Start introducing soaked hay and electrolyte supplements in the days leading up to your trip. Ensuring your horse is hydrated before the trailer ride helps reduce stress and prevents dehydration before it starts.

2. Familiar Water is Gold
Bring water from home when possible — horses can be picky about taste and may refuse unfamiliar sources. Consider storing water in sealed containers or a travel tank to maintain consistency.

3. Nutrition Matters
Keep full feed — hay or soaked pellets — in front of your horse during travel. This helps reduce stomach acid, preventing ulcers and boredom, and if soaked, boosts hydration.

On the Road: Smart Travel Tips for Hot Weather

4. Replenish with Electrolytes
Heat and hauling deplete your horse’s essential minerals through sweat. Proper electrolyte support can help restore balance, encourage drinking, and maintain performance:

• E-Charge Paste: Designed for fast-acting support, this paste is ideal before or after long hauls, shows, or stressful conditions. It helps encourage drinking and replenishes key electrolytes quickly.

• E-Charge Powder: Great for gradual support, this powder mixes easily into feed or water and provides a steady supply of electrolytes — perfect for daily use during travel or in hot weather.

5. Keep It Cool
In scorching temps, toss a bag or two of ice into your trailer’s bedding. It may seem small, but this can lower the ambient temperature several degrees — a huge relief for your horse.

6. Prioritize Ventilation
Open windows and roof vents to keep air moving and reduce stagnant heat. Consider installing fans for long trips or particularly hot climates.

7. Allow for "Head Down Time"
Horses typically spend 60 to 80 percent of their time with their heads down, grazing. Horses need time to lower their heads to help with sinus drainage and mimic natural grazing posture. Plan stops during long hauls to allow horses to unload, stretch, graze, and reset.

Bonus Tips for a Stress-Free Journey

• Avoid Traveling During Peak Heat: Whenever possible, haul early in the morning or after sunset.

• Monitor Frequently: Check in on your horse often, looking for signs of overheating (excessive sweating, labored breathing, reluctance to eat or drink).

• Pack Extras: Water, feed, hay, electrolyte paste, first-aid kit, and your vet’s contact info should always be within reach.