Traveling With Your Horse  CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE COPY

Now that warmer weather is here, the trails, shows and camp outs are calling us.  If you are planning to travel this summer with your equestrian friends, you need to be prepared.

Here are a few items that you should always have with you when you travel:

1. Traveling papers for your horse.  These include:
1. Brand Inspection – this is required by law in all western states
2. Current Negative Coggins certificate – for out of state travel and shows
3. Current Health Certificate – for out of state travel and horse shows
4. Any breed papers or membership cards for shows

If you are traveling anywhere in the western US and do not have your brand inspection and get pulled over, they can impound your horse until you come up with proof of ownership, at your expense.  These are obtained by calling the Livestock Inspector.  In Iron County , it is Thane Marshall.  A life time inspection is $25 and a 10 day one is $10.  He will come to your place and take a picture of your horse (might want to hose off the mud and stuff) and fill out the form.  It’s easy and painless.  In about 1 week, you’ll get your life time Brand Inspection in the mail.  If you sell your horse, you just fill out the transfer paper and the new owner mails it in with their check.

2. Always carry some water, just in case you break down and have to wait a while for help or for after a long trail ride.
3. A trailer-aid or heavy duty tire jack.
4. A map, directions or a GPS system is nice, both for traveling and for trail rides. 
5. Make sure some one knows where you are planning on going and a time frame so when you don’t show up, they know where to start looking for you.
6. A cell phone is great in most areas, but keep it on you – not your horse.  I’m sure he won’t be calling home if you fall off.
7. On trails, a hoof pick and pocket knife with pliers are good to have in your pocket.
8. And last but not least – an equine and human first aid kit is important for those unexpected events that need tending to.

Have a great summer with your horse whatever your venture is.  Remember safety is very important for both of you.  Stuff happens and if you are prepared, you’ll have a much better day.