By Cary L. Szuwalski
When you are preparing to travel with your horse, packing is an organizational challenge. Every horse traveling is more than likely to be accompanied by a mound of equipment. The key to efficient packing is to stow first those items that you won’t need until you arrive at your destination, such as your show equipment if you are going to a show. The things that should be packed last are those things that you will need to use while you are on the road. Here is a list of items that you should pack within easy reach. In an emergency, you don’t want to have to sort through odds and ends to get to the necessities.
important documents: CVIs, vehicle and trailer registration and insurance
telephone numbers and directions to your locations
cellular phone
road atlas
cash and credit cards
names and telephone numbers of veterinarians and farriers along the way
first-aid kits for horses and humans
clean buckets, sterile towels and rags
water container
fly repellent
hoof pick
twitch
knife
wire cutters
hammer
flashlight
fire extinguisher
extra double-ended panic snaps
lariat or lungeline
hobbles
extra halters and lead ropes
reflective triangles
flares
red flag
chock (tire) blocks
tool kit
tire iron and jack
jumper cables
tire chains
tow chain
replacement fuses
electrical and duct tape
gas can
motor oil
coolant
hose
windshield scraper, shovel and sand (if traveling in winter)