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  Discussion on Getting different opinioins on trailering
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New Member:
Karent

Posted on Thursday, Jun 9, 2005 - 6:11 pm:

We are moving to Taos, New Mexico from So. California in 10 days (it's about a 14 hour drive (860 miles). We are hauling our 4 horses ourselves. We have hauled before but never this long of a distance. Most of my horse friends have told me to drive straight thru, stopping every 4 hours to offer them water and free feed orchard grass (which is what I feed anyway). Some people say use about 1" of shavings, some say don't use shavings at all. Another friend who does endurance and travels all over the U.S said "don't use shavings and don't feed them at all during their time in the trailer as they can inhale the grass/shavings and get upper respiratory problems. He also said to board them overnight at a horse B&B, that 14-15 hours in a trailer was too much for them.

I know everyone has their own opinions but this guy is a friend of my husbands (my husband rides, but other than that is clueless to horses). I'm more prone to driving straight through feeding them grass hay and putting about 1" of shavings on the matts.

Your input is appreciated.

Thanks
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Thursday, Jun 9, 2005 - 6:35 pm:

I shipped three horses from Vermont to Colorado two years ago. I caravanned with the hauler and we stopped every four hours for an hour to feed and water. There were shavings in the trailer, and one horse had a box stall. I don't believe you should keep hay in front of the horse while driving. Some horses won't drink "on the move."
We stayed at two clean, friendly horse hotels on the way west, and the horses had the chance to lay down, roll, sleep in peace, and they were fresh and rested each morning.

Last summer, I hauled two horses from CO to CA. (one died in CO) Each horse had a box stall with several inches of shavings. I believe they were on the trailer for two days, but there was an overnight stop. Both horses hopped off the trailer bright and fresh and never had any trouble acclimating to the new environment.

I did a lot of study before I shipped my horses across the country. Stopping every four hours for an hour is good for the horses, the driver and the passengers. A lot depends on your trailer's suspension and the outdoor temperature during your driving time. If it is very hot, you may want to do your driving at night.

I am sure your friend who does the endurance rides has had a lot of experience and may have seen some instances of upper respiratory problems stemming from hay and shavings in the trailer. When in doubt, follow your gut and do things as safely as possible. Ultimately, the decision is yours and yours alone.
Member:
Stina

Posted on Thursday, Jun 9, 2005 - 6:37 pm:

I have hauled that distance all in one go before and I think you are on the right track. Some other things to think about. PLENTY of ventilation will be much appreciated by your horses. Open all your vents. If you dont' have screens on your front DrOp down, I highly recommend them to prevent bugs and debris from getting in your horses' eyes. If you have a stock trailer, flymasks are a great way to protect their eyes. I don't think you would go wrong by placing even more shavings in your trailer, especially if it will is warm. This will insulate their feet and legs from the heat of the road and reduce your risk of founder. Watering the shavings down is also helpful as it increased the cooling affect and reduces dust.

Good luck and have a safe trip!
Member:
Lilly

Posted on Thursday, Jun 9, 2005 - 6:46 pm:

I recently shipped a horse from Virginia to Kansas. I had professionals ship her but I still worried-a lot! I had a lot of friends with plenty of horse experience give their opinions on how to ship a horse long distance. In the end I think you need to go with your instincts. If something doesn't sound right or seem safe then don't do it. I'm a firm believer in letting horses stay at horsey hotels overnight.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Thursday, Jun 9, 2005 - 8:09 pm:

imo what you do depends some on your trailer style and how well it rides. Ventilation is important, esp. in the summer. You'll probably go I-10 to I-40? Heat shouldn't be too much of a problem. I've trailered to KY fr CA a few times this time of year. The first trip was with one horse in a two horse, straight load trailer. We stopped at horse hotels and also let the horse out during lunch stops and walked her around, and she did fine.

I went with 6 horses (three of them yearlings) in a slant load and stopped once for the night, the rest of the time stopped every 3 hrs. for 1/2 hr. and offered water. Kept the horses fed on their normal schedule & had shavings in the trailer several inches thick. The young horses were very nervous staying overnight in a strange place, didn't eat or sleep all night, and looked somewhat worse for wear the next a.m.

All other trips have been straight through (two drivers!)in a slant load. We stopped every 3 hrs. for 1/2 hr, and fed horses on their regular schedule, but fed no grain. The horses have always done great going straight through. When checked, they have always felt comfortable as they've had a good breeze even when it's been hot (not over 95 degrees) Stopping is important because a lot of horses won't urinate while moving, and a lot don't like to urinate on the trailer floors as the urine splashes back up at them. The shavings prevent this problem, plus give more cushioning for their legs and feet.
IMO it's also best if the horses can lower their heads either all the time, or periodically so their noses can drain. They seem to drink better when not tied, too.

Good luck! Taos is a beautiful place!!
Member:
Jojo15

Posted on Thursday, Jun 9, 2005 - 11:43 pm:

i have seen a few horses come in from long trips and leave for long trips. All 4 legs were wrapped. I don't know if this helps or not for stocking up, etc. I see all the big rigs that pick up racehorses have shavings. and when i shipped my girl i opted not to wrap her legs, and when she came off i had to call the vet out for some leg wounds...

My fear if i did this, is they wouldn't want to get back on the trailer once off. I guess this has to do with the personality of the horse.

Good luck in your move!
New Member:
Karent

Posted on Friday, Jun 10, 2005 - 12:11 am:

Thanks to everyone for the info. What we have decided to do is feed them their orchard grass, watered down, water the shavings a bit to help prevent dust and stay at a horse B&B half way to Taos (Flagstaff, AZ). We plan on stopping every 3.5 to 4 hours to offer water and give us all a breather. It's going to be really hot in Needles around 109+ degrees. We will check them to make sure they aren't a sweaty mess and if they are we will stop at a truck stop and hose them down with water in the trailer (they are all used to being hosed so that won't be a problem). They all have been trailered before and walk right in, so they shouldn't be too stressed out. I also plan not to tie them so they can get their heads down if necessary. My trailer has torsion axles so the ride shouldn't be too uncomfortable for them.

Again, thanks for all your help, it's appreciated.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Friday, Jun 10, 2005 - 12:37 am:

Another thing you can do when it's really hot is to put wet sheets on the horses if they are used to havng sheets or blankets on. They will stay wet and cool a little longer that way.
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