Horse Travel Essentials
Travelling kit protects your horse's legs, tail and head from knocks in the trailer or lorry. The essentials are travel boots or bandages, a tail guard or tail bandage, and a suitable rug for the weather, with a poll guard for extra head protection. Just Horse Riders stocks travel kit from Shires, Premier Equine, Hy Equestrian, Rhinegold, LeMieux, Weatherbeeta and Arma, from around £3.
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Travel boots or bandages: which is better?
Travel boots are quick to fit and cover from the knee or hock down to the coronet band, which makes them the easier choice for most owners. Options range from the Shires Short Fleece Lined Travel Boots (from £17.29) to full-length designs such as the Rhinegold Elite Full Length Travel Boots (from £44.20) and the Saxon Travel Boots Set of 4 (from £44.99). Travel bandages over padding give a close fit but need practice to apply evenly, as uneven pressure can cause problems.
Does my horse need a tail guard?
A tail guard stops the top of the tail rubbing on the back of the trailer or partition. The Shires Padded Tail Guard (from £9) and Shires Padded Tail Guard With Bag (from £12.60) are our best sellers, often used with a tail bandage such as the Hy Tail Bandage (from £3.14). Do not leave a tail bandage on for long periods or put it on too tightly, and remove it once you arrive.
What else should I check before travelling?
Check the trailer or lorry floor, ramp, lights and tyres, take water and a haynet for longer journeys, and choose a rug or cooler to suit the weather so your horse does not overheat. Practise loading calmly at home before the big day.
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Travelling horses: frequently asked questions
How should travel boots fit?
Travel boots should cover the leg from just below the knee or hock down over the coronet band, sit snugly without slipping, and have fastenings that cannot catch. Check them after the first few minutes of travel.
Should my horse wear a rug when travelling?
It depends on the weather and how warm the vehicle gets. Horses can sweat when travelling, so a breathable cooler or light rug is often better than a heavy rug. Check your horse when you stop.
What is a poll guard?
A poll guard is a padded cap that attaches to the headcollar to protect the top of the head if a horse throws its head up in the trailer or lorry.
How much does horse travel kit cost?
At Just Horse Riders, tail bandages start from around £3, tail guards from around £5.50 and travel boots from around £17. Prices on the collection are live and may change.
Travelling advice from the Just Horse Riders team. Last reviewed 2026-10-09.