Reduce Your Horse’s Transport Stress

to the wall well hit each time the cause and effect cycle spirals exponentially until the horse either develops a vice or becomes unmanageable. The predictable result is that the horse gets labelled as bad and we ramp up the training accordingly. But by recognizing the individual stressors we can help the horse overcome them and use that knowledge to make even greater strides toward building confidence and ultimately trust.
Its important to pay attention to what the horse is reacting to and how. Balking at the entrance may simply be due to the horses eyes needing time to adjust to lower light inside the trailer. By not allowing this simple step we can raise the horses stress level making the next stressor harder to take. The ideal transport environment for a horse is one which has a comfortable temperature offers proper ventilation and footing is free from excessive noise and mimics as closely as possible the horses normal routine.
Our behaviour can directly influence the stress our horses feel. If we calmly guide the horse he will take his cue from us. If we are tense or impatient he will feel our anxiety. While loading if we present to the horse as anything less than a confident leader he will be far less likely to follow. 
When in transit our driving has a significant impact on the horses stress level. Poor driving techniques are a common stressor and ultimately the reason many horses develop trailering issues. Hazardous conditions are equally as important to consider rough roads bad weather delays traffic and even the time of day can all combine to make the trip more difficult for the horse to bear.
The effects of transport related stress can continue to affect the horse long after the trip is over so its important to allow a horse to rest for a period at least equal to that of the trip itself on arrival. The longer the trip the more decompression time is needed. The rest period allows the horse to recover from not only the stress of traveling but to recuperate from the fatigue. The importance of this rest period cannot be overstated as it impacts health and general wellbeing performance reproduction growth and the ability of the immune system to deal with infections and disease.
Air Quality and Thermal Stress
There are several environmental factors to consider for the horses sake while in transit such