Family trips can be a lot of fun. For horseback riding families, leaving the horses at home isn’t always an option, which can make getting away difficult. Horses need to be tended to – fed and watered, walked and exercised, and cleaned up after – and not having someone managing the stable is unwise. With horse boxes, you can bring your companions with you on vacation and not have to worry about what might be happening at home. Here are a few tips on how to make the trip and what you’ll need to make things run smoothly.
Prepare the Cab For Inhabitation
Most modern horse boxes have living accommodations not just for horses, but for the people that love them. It will be vital to prepare your living space before the trip, especially if you haven’t used the horse box in some time. Make sure any garbage is removed from the horse box and the living and sleeping quarters are neatly arranged. Horse boxes aren’t very large; a messy passenger dorm will only cause frustration.
Stock Up On the Essentials
One of the biggest mistakes people make when going on a trip is forgetting to bring along the vital trip necessities. Make sure you have plenty of food and water, enough clean clothing for however long you will be on the road, and ample toiletries. Make a checklist of everything you will need for the trip and ensure every item is accounted for. You should also make sure you have plenty of horse feed on hand, along with a few spare bridles and stirrups. Also, the summer months can be very hot and dry; if your horse box is equipped with a water tank, make sure it is full before you leave. It is also a good idea to bring one or two cases of bottled water should your water pump fail.
Carry Some Engine Fluids With You
This is particularly important if you’re driving an older vehicle or if you’ve experienced engine problems in the past. The last thing you want is to be stuck on the side of the road waiting for your local automobile association to show up while your horses stomp and complain. The team at Empire suggests that you stock up on plenty of engine coolant and washer fluid. Make sure you know what kind of oil your engine needs, and have at least one quart on hand at all times. Keep each type of fluid in a separate plastic bag to prevent spills, and have a sleeve of paper funnels on hand.
Remember the Boredom-Killers
Long days on the road can be boring. If you’re traveling with children, this is a big problem. Make sure you bring some items to keep the little ones occupied. Reading is a mind-enriching distraction, so have a few books on hand. A portable DVD player can be a great source of entertainment. Hand-held video games are also a good idea – just make sure you have plenty of batteries.
A family trip can be great fun, especially when you’re bringing your horses with you. Before the trip though, it is important to stock up on a few basic items. Make sure the horse box is clean and well-stocked, have some engine fluids on hand, and remember to bring something to keep the children occupied. Being well prepared for the trip will minimize headaches and ensure things go smoothly.
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