Page 1143 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

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Figure 25.14 A protective poll guard

The vehicle

• Check that everything is in good condition and working order.

• The vehicle should be parked in a safe location, i.e. inside the yard, not on the road. If
possible, parking it against a wall may be helpful.

• Make sure the vehicle is light and airy with all the doors open. This will be more
attractive to a horse than a dark, enclosed space.

• Make sure the ramp is down properly so it does not move when the horse steps on it. The

ramp should be covered with a non-slip material and have horizontal battens sited at
intervals to prevent the horse slipping. The angle of the ramp should not exceed 25

degrees.
• Each horse should be separated by a well-padded partition. Partitions that do not reach

the floor but have a sheet of rubber hanging down from them allow horses to adopt a
wider stance which helps them to adjust their balance.

• Check the suitability of the vehicle for the size of the horse. A tall horse needs enough

headroom and a small pony in a trailer needs a breast bar adjusted to the correct height.
• The floor should be covered with non-slip matting and if desired a light covering of dust-