For horses and their owners, it's the season to be on the road. Getting to shows and other riding venues doesn't have to be stressful on horses or owners. Use these checklists to make the season safe and fun.

If you add the time horse owners spend training and caring for their horses during the year, the total would be calculated in weeks. Yet when it comes time to transport the animals, some owners take short cuts on things like trailer maintenance and getting the proper vaccination for their horses.

Trailer and vehicle maintenance is usually a simple task. Basic observation and repair can stave off minor and sometimes major problems.

"For the trailer, it's really a matter of a walk-around inspection," said Janice Spears, MFA equine marketing specialist.

"Inspecting the trailer will likely prevent the frustration of flat tires or moving-vehicle violations," she said. And Spears pointed out that trailer inspections could prevent more serious accidents that can harm horses, owners and fellow travelers. In extreme cases, stressed metal and welds can cause trailers to come unhitched or detached from the tow vehicle. Rotten floorboards in trailers can break, leading to disastrous injury to horses.

"Sayings don't become cliche by coincidence," said Spears, "A ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Trailer tactics
Along with a well-maintained trailer, safe travel calls for thinking about the horse's physical needs during the trip.

Spears said that it helps to think from the ground up.

"Be sure the legs are wrapped correctly and wraps are secured," she said. "If you're not sure how to wrap legs, get instructions or help from someone familiar with the process."

Because the average temperature in the trailer may be considerably warmer than outside, Spears recommends offering water to horses prior to traveling and at each stop during the trip.

As warmer weather approaches, keeping horses cool is a concern.

"If it's warm outside, park in the shade and open the trailer's vents and windows. Pull over every 2 to 3 hours. In hot weather, it pays to travel at night if possible."

Other tips from Spears include using plenty of bedding to insulate the floor from highway heat and in really hot weather putting a block of ice in the mangers to cool the traveling horse's head.

"The ice might not last a long time, but it provides some comfort," she said.

Finally, there are different opinions as to whether to feed horses before traveling.

"Many horse owners don't feed before trailering long distances," she said. "I personally keep my horses on their regular schedule. Some people tie a hay bag in the trailer, but I don't advise doing that. The swinging and swaying in a moving trailer can cause horses to get tangled with the bag or get hay forced in their eyes."

Health concerns
For traveling horses, road safety isn't the only concern to address. Dr. Tony Martin, MFA director of animal health, pointed out that having the proper vaccinations and the appropriate boosters will ensure that your horse comes home without the specter of a costly disease.

"Basically, all equine vaccination programs are built around the basics of protecting against Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis (EEE and WEE), tetanus and influenza," said Martin. "Programs also include protection for rhinopneumonitis, Venezuelan encephalomyelitis (VEE), strangles and rabies, depending on the area traveled and the owner's preference."

Martin said that new horses should receive 2 doses of all applicable vaccines 3 to 4 weeks before any travel or intermingling.

"After this initial program, horses should be boosted at least annually," he said. "But for traveling horses, boosters should be more frequent."

Finally, Martin said that deworming is important for all horses, but especially traveling horses.

"It goes a long way toward maintaining good health and keeping the immune system strong and ready to ward off diseases," he said.