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Shipping fever is the term used to describe an infection and inflammation of a horse’s lower respiratory tract seen after the horse has been transported. This malady is more common after prolonged trips when the horse has been traveling for four or more hours. Signs of disease may include fever, coughing, and lethargy. 

To prevent illness in transported horses, owners should remember these tips.

  • Begin with a healthy horse. Tired horses, stressed horses, and horses that are ill or have recently recovered from illness are somewhat more likely to pick up an infection because of a depressed immune system.
  • Clean the trailer before use. Dust, mold spores from hay, and flakes of dried manure are blown around during travel and may be inhaled by the horse, causing irritation. Remove as much material as possible before loading the horse.
  • If hay is provided during the trip, consider soaking it before travel to minimize dust and mold.
  • Allow the horse to lower his head during travel. Tying the head too high or using a trailer with a high manger sets up a situation that may not allow the normal drainage of secretions from the horse’s nose. Dust and other airborne particles that are retained in the respiratory passages can cause irritation.
  • On long trips, take breaks to allow the horse to rest. Some horses refuse to drink or urinate while the trailer is moving, increasing their stress level. On overnight trips, try to find a stopping place where the horse can be unloaded and allowed to stay in a stall or paddock for several hours. On shorter trips, it may help to stop driving for several brief breaks even if the horse remains in the trailer.
  • Stay current on vaccinations against equine viral respiratory disease, such as equine herpesvirus and influenza. Horses that need booster vaccinations should receive them 2-3 weeks before travel to allow peak antibody production and avoid the immunosuppression caused by the stress of travel.
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