Amount of water to haul with

[Simkie]

We’re hauling two horses 13 hours (or so) in August. Through Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota (most likely route!)

Trailer is straight load, otherwise I would just buy one of those nifty corner water things they sell for slants. We’ll probably just go with a few of these instead. How many gallons would you want for this trip?

[Gestalt]

Minimum 5 gallons per horse per day. Are you keeping them on the trailer for all 13 hours?

[cnvh]

Well, I never leave home without one 7-gallon container pet horse. I use these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001QC31G6?cache=fbd46566e735069aa3c919f3b8f76db6&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1405902954&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1 I always offer water after a ride, but inevitably I’ll use at least half of it for a post-ride sponge-off. Even in cold months, I won’t put a horse in a trailer without at least one full container of water. You just never know if you’ll break down, or need it for first aid purposes, etc.

For a 13-hour trip, I’d probably take 2 per horse.

[Simkie]

Yes, we’ll just go straight through.

My initial thought was 20 gallons for the trip.

[cnvh]

And I should add, this is a pet peeve of mine… Back before I owned my own trailer and was at the mercy of friends to haul, I went along once (ONCE) to a starter trial with a group, in July, who brought NO water for 4 horses. It was a nightmare, and that day I swore, never again.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “well, Poopsie never drinks when we leave the farm…” Umm, what?! No. Even if they’ve never drank, YOU STILL BRING IT.

[Beverley]

I use two containers very similar to what you showed in the link. And yes I always carry it even though my horses rarely drink during the journey, you never know, they could change their minds or you could have a breakdown on a hot day.

MY pet peeve is the folks at trail rides and such who come looking to ‘borrow’ water. Um, well, no, I brought just enough for my horses.

[Sparky]

I just take a clean muck basket, place it in the dressing room if there is one, or in the back of your vehicle. Line it with a heavy duty garbage bag, fill with water, then tie the top shut. When you make your pit stops, just open the bag, dip a smaller bucket in and offer it to them. Works great!

[Beverley]

A variation on the muck bucket is to just leave it open and full in the back of the truck- dropping a piece of wood in will minimize the sloshing.

[CDE_Driver]

We regularly haul 12 hours to events.

I take four of the blue water containers.

I hang water buckets for the horses in the trailer. The do drink a bit while traveling.

I stop three times during the trip for at least 30 minutes each stop ( I do make more potty stops! They just aren’t as long). I clean out the buckets and refill with clean water. The do drink at least half a bucket at each stop. I think the longer stops, so they can relax, lower their heads, make them want to drink more.

Good luck on your trip!

[SLW]

[QUOTE=Simkie;7675821]
Yes, we’ll just go straight through.

My initial thought was 20 gallons for the trip.[/QUOTE]

20 gallons for two horses for a 13 hour trailer ride in August would be a safe amount. That allows for some drinks along the way plus a little extra in the event of some delay.