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Discussion on Safely trailering a horse with suspensory injuries
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Member:
annknigh
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Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 7:16 am:
I am going to be moving my 3 horses from texas to california. One of the horses had suspensory injuries that occured 4 months ago. 3 of the 4 branches of the front legs were injured. (I have current ultrasound images in jpg format if you would like to see them). The vet says he is healing well and we are currently, increasing his work load slowly, but he is still only being mostly walked and has started trotting some recently.
My questions:
What is the best way to haul him? Most commercial carriers that I have seen have a fairly steep ramp, is that a concern? Is a straight stall better or is a box stall better? Should the carrier unload and reload him for an overnight rest during the trip? Is a smaller carrier with a slant load better?
Also for the other two horses, is a box stall better than a straight stall?
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Member:
annknigh
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Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 7:22 am:
These are the most recent ultrasound images of my horses legs, done about 2 weeks ago. The original injury was in January, so he is about 4 months into healing. The left lateral is normal.
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Member:
hwood
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Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 8:54 am:
Ann,
I highly recommend a private hauler for your situation. I have used these folks with great success:
https://www.horse-taxi.com
They are in Texas and haul to CA often. Also, Ronnie Knott (rjhorsetransport@onemain.com) is a friend of theirs and someone I have also used with great success. Ronnie hauled seven horses from CA to KS. Tom Nelson hauled from CO to CA for me. No steep ramps. Box stalls can be arranged if you hire the entire trailer for your horses.
Best to you as you make the move.
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New Member:
mari1yn
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Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 11:05 am:
Thanks, Ann, for raising the questions about commercially trailering your horses to CA. And thanks, Holly, for the recommendations. I will be moving my horse from Ohio to CA and didn't know where to start to look for transport.
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Member:
annknigh
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 1:01 am:
Hope your move goes well Marilyn, where are u moving to?
And Holly, thank you for the information. I talked to RJ and really liked what he had to say. Havent talked to the other one yet, but just played phone tag, but the horse taxi seems quite a bit less expensive than others.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 6:44 am:
The ramp does represent extra stress to the suspensories. Perhaps you can find a incline to lower it onto so it is not so steep. I vote for traveling backward as it is the breaking that throws the most extra force on the legs that are most forward.
DrO
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 10:13 pm:
Travellinghorse.com is where I get all my fillins for long distance hauls. You can go into the hauler list and check their listings... definitely put out your request through Jeannie. SHe runs a tight ship and will kick haulers off her service if she gets negative feedback on them from the clients. Your request will go out to EVERY hauler on her list. IMO, she has the best website with the highest traffic level. ASK QUESTIONS... check references and follow your gut feeling. If you get the warm fuzzies, you have a good start. Make sure your hauler doesn't need the practice... and remember that you get what you pay for. We work hard for the money...
lol
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