We are moving from Warrensburg Missouri to Huntsville Alabama. It is about a 9 to 9 1/2 hour drive normally, however with a horse trailer I know it will add significant time. We were hoping to stay about midway one night, middle ground is about Vienna Illinois however there is some big race event happening and it seems that all the hotels and bed-and-breakfast are booked up. I’m just having difficulty finding a room in the Inn for my horse, my husband and myself. Any ideas?
633 miles, we would drive straight through, but we are used to hauling distances. I would just avoid East St Louis as a stop, that place reminds me of a battle scared combat zone of WW2
Have you looked at going through Memphis? The routing I see takes you to Springfield MO to Jonesboro AR to Memphis then to Huntsville by US72 … route time distance (616 miles/ 10hr 12 min) is nearly the same as your first proposed routing
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Personally, I would drive straight through. Less chance of you or your horse picking up something you don’t want that way.
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You could make it straight thru if you have another, trustworthy driver, so you could switch driving. That’s a long butt haul for someone who isn’t used to it or has trouble staying awake after dark:)
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I used https://www.horsemotel.com. When I moved my horses cross country in 2003. I couldn’t have asked for better treatment or cleaner facilities for ,
my horses.
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Hubby will be coming along so we can both drive. I am more concerned with my horse. She will probably be fine. It’s just me that worries.
I did look in horsemotels.com but the only one in the area has no “human “ facilities nearby that aren’t booked. Apparently there is a big 100 mile race nearby. Oh well. Thank you all for your suggestions
put a video camera in the trailer
When daughter picked up her six month old weanling from North Dakota she was really concerned about him traveling the about 700 miles to get out of the blizzard zone… she installed a wifi connected video camera to keep an eye on the lad… he would grab some hay then turn to look out the windows to watch the country side.
I agree, drive straight thru. We have used horse hotels when moving long distances, they have been nice and useful; however, your horse may be more stressed out at a new place, with new smells and sounds (unless they are used to that kind of thing, like frequent showing etc.) and won’t likely be anymore rested or relaxed then if you drove thru and just took plenty of 15-20 minute breaks. Do not take the horse off the trailer when stopped, let the horse rest on the trailer, offer water and hay (if needed). Carry a equine first aid and have and make a list of large animal/equine vets for the route you are driving just in case.
Driving 9 hours isn’t that bad for humans or horse, its a long day but not that bad. Get an early start (as early as possible) and drive thru. Avoid large cities at commute times and you will be fine.
If you want to stop then maybe look for a stop that is not mid point (so does not have a big event going on). A little further or a little less far might open you up to a place that has room for both humans and horses.
Wishing you safe travels!
I would also drive that straight through as long as you have another driver to switch off with. Stop every 2-3 hours (when the humans need to stop) and offer water that you’ve brought from home.
Well before the trip, you might try some flavors like Horse Quencher or just molasses to see if there is something they really like, so you can encourage them to drink.
If you don’t already have US Rider or a similar service, they can be an added safeguard of being able to get help on the way if anything happens. But I always carry two spares for the trailer just in case.
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Welcome to Alabama! I live about 2 hours + South of Huntsville, but know a number of horse folks up there. Huntsville has an active, very nice population of horse people and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. It’s a beautiful area in the Tennessee Valley. They have an active fox hunting club(s) as well as dressage, eventing and hunter/jumper folks. Hope you are happy there and ROLLLLLL TIDE!!! Football is a religion in Alabama, LOL!
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Thank you very much! I will be boarding with Debi Crowley at Cotton Meadows Farm. We actually lived there for several years previously, now work has us returning.
we are looking forward to it.
I am another who says drive straight through. We have done multiple 14+ hour trips due to moves and the horses were anywhere from yearlings to teenagers and they did fine. On the 2 times we stopped overnight I think it was harder on the horses.
Leave as early as possible so you get to your new place at a decent time of day. Towing a trailer shouldn’t add that much extra time even if you stay at 55mph.
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