Put the ice in deep sawdust or shavings, so he is not standing on the slippery ice cubes. Probably 2 of the 20# bags, under his front and hind leg areas while standing, is enough. One bag in front, one from flanks on back to the rear end. Clean out that wet bedding as soon as possible after arriving, it is amazing how fast it will mold!! We have hauled in blazing sunshine, over 100* with horses on iced bedding. They are comfortable, arrive in good shape, despite heat, travel delays, traffic slowdowns.
I am not in the string-tie group. All of ours “tie hard and fast” so they are always where I leave them. A loose horse can be a disaster in a trailer. Tie horse long enough that he can raise his head for balance if needed, not break loose. Use a quick release knot so it can be untied easily.
I would plan on 2 hours of travel, then a rest stop. Offer drinks, an apple in pieces, see if he will pee while trailer is stopped. Stop should be at least 15-20 minutes so he can settle a bit. Horse is working to keep his balance all the time trailer is moving. They can get real leg weary. Think how you would manage a 6 hour trip on a bus or train, standing the entire time! With rest breaks, you may want to leave earlier, because they will add to travel time. We don’t see as many cars on the roads at 5AM! With horse not used to long trips, it will be easier on him with a couple rest breaks.
Question: Does his divider go all the way to the floor? Half divider is better, allowing him to spread his legs wider for balance. Highway travel may have wind from trucks hitting the trailer unexpectedly, knocking horse around if he can’t spread out his legs. Perhaps you could have a full divider shortened before you go at a local welding shop, if your Dad doesn’t want to do it. My husband has shortened dividers in trailers we bought. Check edges for rough spots after, then cover with duct tape or file smooth to protect the horse. I bet the shop can loosen the rust holding those divider pins in place at the same time! Ha ha
Take some “home hay” to transition to new hay at the new barn. Couple bales should be plenty. Those can probably be inside the trailer, tied in place. Cover them if pee can splash on them at rest stops. We haul water in some large bottles, easy to give drinks at the trailer. Practice loading, him standing in the trailer ahead of time. Drinking from a pan or small bucket while in trailer. Go out early to practice load him in the dark too. You don’t want a delayed start time because he is surprised or does not understand all these changes!
Go over the trailer, check tires and spare for air pressure, cracked sidewalls. Have a lug wrench that fits the nuts, a jack or trailer-aid to lift the trailer for tire changes. Grease the ball hitch for working lights, then make sure bulbs are good. Get the wheels greased, brakes working, so they don’t cause problems. Has trailer floor been checked for rot? Lift any mats, back door floor edges, corners and edges of floors are the usual bad spots for rot. Not sure how often or recently trailer has been in use, or if servicing is done regularly. As a friend, i am telling you to check everything because you can’t believe folks you borrow from! Their idea of care was sure different than ours was! Breaking down on the road is a miserable place to be with a horse.
You may be an experienced hauler, horse too, but practice like you will be doing things, never hurts. Same with the trailer. Perhaps it is perfect, but checking things over (or having a professional do it) gives you peace-of-mind enroute.
Last advice is to let him stand in the trailer after arriving for a little while. You can get buckets and hay in his stall. Perhaps unload your tack and put it in the barn. He is benefitting from not moving, might pee for you and learning that arriving does NOT mean instant unloading! Always nice to have a patient horse waiting in the trailer until you can get back to him!
You will need a current Coggins test result and a health certificate from your Vet showing where he came from and new destination. Coggins might take time, I would have it done immediately if you don’t have a six month one. States vary, some are OK with a 12 month, others require a test within 6 months.
Best of luck on your trip.
