Tips for trailering long distances?

[cheerio280]

In about a month, my horse and I will be making the trip from southeast PA to central IL. It is about 800 miles and a 13 hour drive (longer with stops). My horse trailers really well- loads by himself, stands quietly, etc. At home, he trailers at least once a week, sometimes more. However, most trips we make are under an hour, and the furthest we’ve gone is about 3 hours, so this is a pretty big difference. The vet has already said not to tie his head, and to stop every couple of hours to offer water and let him rest his legs.

As for unloading him and walking him around, I have heard mixed opinions. Personally, I don’t want to unload him at all on the trip. I’ve never had a problem loading him, but he might feel differently after several hours on the trailer, and I don’t want to take the chance that he’d do something stupid. Agree or disagree?

Also, I’ve heard different things about not giving grain the day before or the day of the trip, etc. What are your opinions on that?

Any other tips you can share with me?

Thanks

[kokoda]

We took our 4 yr old mare last year to the Young Horse at Lamplight which is about 1500 miles from us. We drove about 1/2 way and found a mare motel so she could get some decent rest. We turned the trailer into a big box stall (verus standing) and bedded it deeply (bring along extra bedding). We removed her halter and did NOT wrap legs but we did put bell boots on and checked her at each stop.

We also were concerned about the loading/unloading but she took it all in stride so hopefully he will too. If you are going to unload, be sure you’re in a controlled area.

We did not grain while we were traveling and paid particular attention to her water intake. We also carried a pump spray bottle filled with alcohol so, if needed, we could cool her down relatively quickly (traveling from Texas to Illinois in the end of July was really hot). We took lots of fresh stuff with us (carrots, apples, etc.) which helped make up for the lack of grain and gave her something whenever we stopped. She had two hay bags in the trailer so basically had free choice hay. We grained her lightly for her first meal after we arrived at destination and gradually brought her back to normal feed. We carried our own hay and even our own water to try and keep things as normal as possible.

Make sure there is lots of air flow through your trailer, try to start your journey very early in the morning or late at night to minimize the travel during the heat of the day. Lots of hand walking when you get to your destination.

Start your list now … including typical first aid stuff for those “just in case” moments and keep adding to it so you’re organized and not so hassled when the time comes. Hopefully no dramas in route!

Hope that helps a little! Good luck and safe travels!!

[Frizzle]

I’ve never personally hauled a horse long distance but have sent horses on long-distance trips with professional shipping companies.

I always give the horse UlcerGard/GastroGard the day of the trip, the day of arrival (have never had a horse on the road more than 26 hours), and for the first few days in the new location. I also give some elctrolytes before/after the trip and probiotics after.

Another thing to have on hand is Horse Quencher – I like to give the horse a whole bucket of water (they will slurp it down with the HQ added) before getting on the trailer, then give a few packs to the shippers in case the horse won’t drink during the trip. I’ll have some either in the horse’s “arrival packet” or have it with me if the horse is being shipped to me, so I can get the horse drinking immediately after getting off the trailer.

Definitely give the horse a box stall if possible, because it seems to really cut down on the stress level if he can be free, stand the direction he’s most comfortable, and lower his head if he chooses.

I would grain the day before, but not the day of the trip. Maybe a handful of alfalfa pellets so he feels like he’s getting something and doesn’t make a fuss because he isn’t getting breakfast.

Good luck!

[florida_foxhunter]

I’ve hauled to VA many times (from FL)…agree, don’t tie head (make box if possible), keep water in front of them, I only let mine “rest” when getting gas…or stopping for a meal. Didn’t take them off…give gastrogurd for long drive…and give two scoops of electrolites the night before you leave (not when traveling) to encourage them to drink a lot (hydrate) BEFORE the trip. Possibly put some mineral oil in dinner or breakfast if they’ll eat it…(I have had a vet oil one as a precaution,but stopped doing that and never had a problem).
Be sure the trailer has plenty of ventilation (my trailer has big windows AND fans)
Good luck…

[MeghanDACVA]

We haul long distance a fair amount.
Allow them to get their head down.
Be sure your hay isn’t dusty.
Stop frequently to let them rest their legs and to pee.
I don’t unload anymore unless I have some place to actually overnight them. Just too dangerous, no matter how “good” the horse. Too many idiots out there and too much liability.
I use shipping boots. My mare kicks and even with boots on (Lende boots that go well up over her hocks) she can still cause herself damage. And if you have have ever seen a horse kick thru the side of a trailer (I have), you want some protection on those legs.
Take some of your own water too. Put plastic trash bags in some water buckets then fill the buckets. Tie the bags shut. I want to try Horse Quencher as I have heard really good things about it.
If you have a slant load, be sure there is no way for your horse to get his head out of the open window!!

Be sure you also have an emergency kit with you. For both horse and for truck and trailer.

[Guilherme]

On long trips we stop every two hours or so to switch drivers, head call, get some cold water out of the cooler, etc. We do not unload until we reach either our destination or an overnight stop. We do offer water; it’s never been accepted.

The longest we’ve ever done in a day is just over 700 miles. That’s hard on us and the horses. Sometimes, though, it’s necessary. You could do the whole thing in one run if you’ve got multiple drivers and don’t daudle while driving the full speed limit. An overnight stop will increase costs but be much easier on all involved.

Good luck on the trip.

G.

[OverandOnward]

Many horses won’t pee while the trailer is moving. They need pee stops just like the humans, even if they don’t get off.

I was advised by a vet to take the horse off to walk for 10 minutes at least every 3-4 hours, if and only if it could be safely done. I did, he was fine, got back on with no problems. I do make it worth his while in treats to get on the trailer.

At one stop I ate my sack lunch sitting in the trailer with him. It was kind of a fun bonding time, actually. He was interested in my ham sandwich, and we played wiggle-lip for a few minutes. It makes the trip a little more memorable to take advantage of those opportunities to be with the horse in a different situation.

[moonlitoaksranch]

This is an old thread, but we’re coming up on the season for hauling again. We’re preparing to haul several of our own animals as well as shipping two horses. I found some of the suggestions helpful, but I thought I would check to see if they are outdated.

Is Horse Quencher still a good choice? Not drinking water is such a concern on long trips.

Outlast was suggested by the boarding stable as a supplement to help for stressful moves. How are people using that? If you only feed grass hay during the trip, are you feeding it after arrival, before shipping, or feeding it with a minimal amount of feed during the trip?

Are some of these suggestions still good?

[Lusoluv]

See if your horse will drink a “soup”, aka 98% water with 2% of something irresistible like molasses, gatorade powder, instant oatmeal packet, apple juice, etc. at home. Then you can use that pre-trip to add hydration as well as during the trip. I always keep a haynet in front of my horse when hauling. Grain or other concentrates aren’t necessary at all if free choice hay is available.

[moonlitoaksranch]

That sounds like a good idea, thanks.

The hardest part is hauling an old pony that eats only pellets. She hates wet pellets. I think it will be okay, though, because we’re not trailering straight through. We’ll be only hauling about eight hours per day and stopping overnight, unloading, and getting them in stalls.