Five proven strategies for stress-free horse transport
- for strong nerves
- for a relaxed & calm daily life
- better adaptation to stressful situations
As flight animals, horses react especially sensitively to new situations. But with the right preparation and proven strategies, you can make transporting your horse as pleasant as possible.
Why are horses so sensitive to transport?
Horses have a keen sense of their surroundings. Any change can trigger stress – whether it's a new place, unfamiliar sounds, or separation from the herd. A horse trailer often represents a frightening and unfamiliar environment. In addition, the vehicle moves during the ride, which challenges the horse's sense of balance. All these factors can cause insecurity and tension.
Recognizing signs of stress early
To be able to respond appropriately, it's important to recognize stress symptoms early. Watch for the following signs:
- Heavy sweating
- Frequent neighing or snorting
- Trembling or stiffness
- Loss of appetite
- Free faecal water
- Restlessness and nervousness
- Refusing to load
Your own attitude makes the difference!
Horses pick up very precisely on the moods of their handlers. If you're tense or unsure, this nervousness transfers to your horse. If, on the other hand, you radiate calm and composure, this has a positive effect on its behavior.
A confident demeanor is especially crucial when loading and during the ride. With every relaxed experience in the trailer, your horse's trust grows – making transport become routine.
Five proven strategies for stress-free transport!
Start preparing well before the first transport. Have your horse regularly practice loading and unloading from the trailer – in short, relaxed training sessions. This way, the trailer becomes a familiar place where your horse feels safe. Through regular practice, its confidence grows, and every trip becomes routine.
Not every trailer suits every horse. Make sure your horse has enough space – a roomy interior has a calming effect. Good ventilation provides fresh air, and a non-slip floor gives secure footing. Regularly check the trailer's stability and equipment.
A comfortable transport solution significantly contributes to your horse's wellbeing.
Start with short trips and gradually increase the duration. This lets your horse get used to the trailer's movement. Vary the conditions – sometimes in daylight, sometimes at dusk, or on different routes. This teaches your horse that transport is safe in every situation. With patience and regular practice, every trip becomes routine.
In acute stress situations, natural support can help. The EWALIA Calming Liquid 1L for Horses contains valerian, hops, lemon balm, and chamomile – plants known for their calming and balancing effect. It can be used to provide support especially in unusual situations such as vet visits or long transports.
Reward calm behavior with treats, praise, or gentle touch. Speak in a friendly, clear voice to build trust. If your horse associates transport with positive experiences, it will load more calmly. It will also feel safer during the ride. Every positive reinforcement strengthens the trust between you and your horse.
Conclusion
With the right preparation and suitable strategies, you can make transport as stress-free as possible for your horse. A relaxed transport not only has a positive effect on your horse's well-being, but also contributes to its health and balance.
Horses that are regularly transported without stress are calmer and less prone to illness. Remember: every horse is individual. Observe your animal closely and adapt your transport strategy to its needs. That way, you ensure a safe and relaxed ride – for you and your horse.
Frequently Asked Questions💡
For existing problems or symptoms: 👉 Here we recommend the 6-litre course
We recommend feeding the increased amount (3 times the daily dose) at the start. Stay on the high dosage until an improvement occurs, plus 2 more days. After that, feed twice the normal daily amount. If the improvement continues, feed the remaining bottles at the normal dosage. How much needs to be fed always depends on the individual problem, i.e. whether improvement occurs faster or not.
For prevention: 👉 Here we recommend the 3-liter program
To help prevent problems and support general wellbeing: preventively, meaning no increased amount, just the normal daily amount for at least three weeks.
Not sure whether your horse will eat our products? No problem! We offer you our EWALIA Palatability Guarantee (fussy-eater guarantee).
If your horse doesn't accept our products, you'll get a full refund of the purchase price. How does it work and what do you need to know? Simply send the products back to us within 30 days of purchase and fill out our form with the details of your order, a short, uncut video of your horse, and proof of purchase.
If you purchased your EWALIA products from a retailer, contact the retailer directly within 30 days of purchase with your proof of purchase and video. They will refund the purchase price immediately. The Eating Guarantee can be used once per customer on products ordered for the first time. The guarantee applies to up to two different products per order.
You can find more information about our Eating Guarantee here in our terms and conditions: Eating Guarantee.
1. Better absorption and availability
Herbal Liquids contain the active ingredients in dissolved form, which makes absorption in the body easier. They are often better tolerated, especially for animals with sensitive digestion or poor chewing ability (e.g. older horses or dogs).
2. Higher bioavailability
Thanks to their liquid form, nutrients and secondary plant compounds are absorbed into the blood more quickly, so they take effect faster. Dried herbs first have to be broken down in the digestive tract, which takes longer.
3. No dust exposure
Dried herbs can be dusty, which can be a problem especially for sensitive airways (e.g. horses with equine asthma (RAO/COPD) or dogs with allergies). Herbal Liquids are dust-free and therefore also suitable for animals with respiratory conditions.
4. Easier dosing & feeding
Herbal Liquids are easier to mix into feed or give directly into the mouth. Especially with picky animals, the liquid form can be an advantage, as acceptance is often higher than with bitter-tasting dried herbs.
5. No burden from low-quality feed
Some dried herbs lose their active compounds due to improper storage or contain fungi, mold, or contaminants. High-quality herbal Liquids are freshly pressed and gently processed, so the ingredients are largely preserved.
We recommend giving our product twice daily. This ensures that the body can optimally absorb the valuable herbal active ingredients. One option is to prepare the feed the evening before for the morning feeding by the stable hand, etc., as long as it is given within 24 hours (especially important in summer). Alternatively, one portion can be given before and one after the riding session.
If twice-daily feeding is not possible, we recommend giving 80% of the total daily dose to achieve the desired effect. For example, that would be 112 ml once daily for a total daily dose of 140 ml (70 ml + 70 ml). Our experience shows that regular twice-daily feeding is the best option to make full use of the effectiveness of our products.
You can find all further questions in our 👉 FAQS
Our products serve as a supportive measure in the form of a complementary feed and do not replace veterinary examinations.
Yes, up to 3 Liquids can be fed at the same time.
