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Discussion on Aftercare--after a long haul
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 - 3:07 pm:
What is your aftercare procedure after a long stressful haul?
I am wondering if anyone gives banamine as sort of a colic preventative.
Electrolites?
When she steps off the trailer,it will probably be in the middle of the night, Is there anything I can do to make this transition easier?
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 - 5:07 pm:
I usually just make sure the horse has a good, well bedded stall to rest in, plenty of fresh water, and some grass hay. I watch them for a little to be sure they have settled in, know where the water is and drink, and urinate and poop. I try to have them where there aren't any other horses close enough to bother them, but if there are other horses, as I have, I let them be close enough that they can see and talk to each other. I've never had a horse colic from a move. I suspect this haul is more difficult on you than on the horse!
Even over a long distance, if the horse is in a good trailer with a good driver, it will be fine. I've hauled my own horses, and other peoples' to shows often traveling half way across the country. I've also hauled mares and foals all over the country and never had a problem. I do make sure they have good footing in the trailer, stop and offer water and let them rest every 3 hrs. for about 15 mins. On a really long haul, I try to get them out if I can find a safe place; otherwise, just stop and let them stand still in the trailer. I call a long haul 10 hrs. or better. When your horse arrives, try and act calm, cool, and natural. If you are nervous, your horse will sense it. She might be a little "on her toes" just because it's new and exciting to her, but she'll settle in quickly I'm sure.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009 - 7:08 am:
Hello leslie,
Sara gives good advice above. For more discussions on hauling horses see Horse Care » Horse Trailers, Trucks, & Trailering Horses » Traveling With Horses. One should note that Banamine is not so much a colic cure as it is a pain reliever so should not be used because it may cover up the need for more specific treatment.
DrO
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009 - 8:47 am:
Hi Leslie,
You don't mention if the haul is in process or just scheduled at this point.
Define long and define stressful. To me, long haul is 1000 miles or more. There are things you can have done to prepare a horse for a long haul to make the trip better for her. First, of course, the obvious, resource your hauler. Everyone has their own way of doing things. Find the hauler whose work ethic and hauling protocol is what makes YOU comfortable. There are always different approaches to everything. The rig is important, of course, but knowing the mindset of the person who will have your baby for a couple of days is as important as if you were interviewing the new trainer. That makes the rest easier to handle for both of you. Most haulers stop every 4 hours or so to rest the horses and refill their hay/water supplies. A lot of haulers offload nightly at horse hotels al over the country. We feel it helps them to get a bit of exercise and a good night in a bedded stall where they can roll and lay down. Sara is right, this is more of a Maalox moment for you than it is for your horse. If both you and your hauler are happy & relaxed she will have a good example to follow. I hope you enjoy her homecoming and getting to know her. I have to tell you, since most horses are bought online, many have not met their owners until delivery. Bringing a much anticipated horse to its new owners, or back home after an absence for breeding or training is always a Dr. Feelgood event. That part of the job NEVER grows old.
Once she is with you, give her (and yourself) the gift of time. Bond, get to know her, let her get to know the lay of the land the barn pecking order and you. Please don't expect too much too fast. We encourage people not to ride a new horse for a while after she arrives. You would be surprised how many people don't realize it is tiring for a horse even to lock their knees and go with the flow for a week. I like to check in with the new owners the morning after delivery, 3 days after and three weeks after to see how things went and what we can do to reduce their anxieties of new horse ownership. The word RELAX comes up quite a bit.
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009 - 10:16 am:
She is here
Thanks for putting up with my *neurotic-ness*...She finally got here lastnight at about 4 am. Around 24 hair pulling hours late,,,but safe and sound You are right, she handled it better than me!
Im on No sleep
she drank some water and nibbled some hay. I did a once over she looked fine. I left her alone so she could rest.
Of course Pumpkin is being a giant butt to her...raking her teeth on the metal gate between them...threatening her and trying to bite her thru the fence...keeping spongebob away. Lara is learning quickly about " She, who must be obeyed"
This morning she is shivering. I will throw a blanket on her when temps fall this evening.
Thanks for all the perspective, Guys...sometimes its hard to see the forest for the trees
Leslie
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009 - 11:22 am:
Leslie, it's always easier when it isn't your horse!
Glad she got there safe and sound. She'll figure out the horse relations in no time. It sounds like she's settling in pretty good. You're going to have so much fun with her!
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009 - 5:51 pm:
Leslie, what sort of temperatures do you have at the moment, what part of Ireland did she come from, and is she clipped?
Imogen
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009 - 7:20 pm:
Hi Imogen
She is from the States. Not an import. She isnt clipped but the breeder did say she blankets when the temps get down...
The temperature is supposed to get to -3. the next 2 days are going extreme and unusual cold here. She has an OK coat but nothing like spongebob's.
Maybe her shivering was due to stress, but just incase, I did blanket her earlier. I kept an eye on her -No more shivering and No sweating.
I will post pics on the other thread:0
L
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 15, 2009 - 3:13 am:
I am not a cosseter but we blanket against rain outside, and if it's less than 5 degrees celsius and they are standing in cold old stone stables at night.
I believe if it's cold and dry, a draught can run around and get warm (and they do!). Some of the lines seem to be more susceptible to rainscald than others but the good news is yours is not grey!
Looking forward to the pictures. I liked her nice, intelligent long draughty ears, kind eye and wide forehead in the previous pics.
Imogen
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