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  Discussion on What is best route from Texas to Colorado
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Member:
cmatexas

Posted on Thursday, Sep 17, 2009 - 3:21 pm:

We are finally picking up new baby next month. :-):-) We are just south of Dallas. He is in Durango, CO. Anyone out there familiar with the basics of that trip? According to Yahoomaps, best way is Dallas - Amarillo - Albuquerque - Durango, and about 16 hours. Mapquest says Dallas - Amarillo - Lamar, CO - Durango and about 18 hours.

Macho is a 6 month old halter baby who loads like a champ, and will have a show with a three hour haul under his belt by then.

We are trying to pick the most "horse friendly" route, weighing length of trip against how good the roads are.

Any advice out there?

Thanks!
Member:
sdms

Posted on Thursday, Sep 17, 2009 - 8:45 pm:

Congratulations, Michelle! I just made a phone call to a truck driver friend of mine that spends his life on the road and has driven every road in the country just about. (Cindy, probably a lot like Walt!) He says there's only one way to go and that's the Dallas - Amarillo - Albuquerque - Durango route. Good roads all the way and you can probably run about 70 empty. He says the other route is very scenic but not the best for hauling a trailer. He also mentioned to be sure to fuel in Albuquerque since there's not much between there and Bloomfield and the stations you will find are priced higher.

Best of luck and I know we're all looking forward to seeing pictures of your new addition!

~Sara
Member:
hpyhaulr

Posted on Thursday, Sep 17, 2009 - 9:26 pm:

If I were mapping this trip, I would take the same route. Amarillo is around your mid point and boasts a great horse hotel. Blue Horse Inn. Spectacular view, the owners John & Jaynie are the best, the facility is secure and clean. And Jaynie makes the best cookies in Texas. You CANNOT get away with out a sack of her cookies. She will not allow it. you can find them on Dick Beck's Horse motel international website. Tell 'em we sent you, Walt is there several times every year. We have been using them for YEARS! THat stretch you are taking is pretty bankrupt as far as horse hotels go. We are lucky to have Blue Horse for an oasis.
Member:
stek

Posted on Friday, Sep 18, 2009 - 4:06 pm:

Enjoy the trip Michelle, I lived in Durango for a few years in the late 90s and still always miss it this time of year, the aspens in the mountains are just gorgeous. Just curious about your new baby, what breed is he? (I worked on a Morgan farm when I lived there)

Pics are always appreciated!
Member:
hpyhaulr

Posted on Saturday, Sep 19, 2009 - 8:04 am:

OMG!!! I am chalking this one up to sleep deprivation!!! Blue Horse Stables is in Amarillo.Don't even ask me what got me to thinking about that one while feeding this morning. Oh please forgive me for that one! lol
In Abilene we use either Lone Star Bed & Bale (Paulette Oliver)or, if she is booked... Big Texan ...they have a restaurant and human motel as well.
Sorry for the mislead!
There is also a website.. dieselbuddy.com which can tell you the cheapest fuel prices along the route.It is updated daily (or more often if the truckers give the feedback fast enough)
Member:
cmatexas

Posted on Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 - 11:55 pm:

Thanks so much for the info. Been in Fort Worth at Extreme Mustang Makeover. Wow! What an awesome event...plus, our best friend and trainer was competing for first time. There were 100 trainers there, and he competed in Idols. Cody and Cletus were an astounding 9th!!

Anyway, that is our plan, then, Amarillo to Albuquerque to Durango, and back. We haven't decided to layover on the way back yet or not. Will make have to make that decision soon. :-) We are both teachers, and barn is about 10 minutes from house. We are now weighing stopping overnight, which puts us home late afternoon Monday, against driving straight through which puts us home very early Monday morning. We are both teachers, and have to go to work Tuesday morning. Would really like to have plenty of day light and time to get him well settled, but don't won't to stress him more than necessary in the haul.

Have read good things about ulcerguard. Any suggestions or experience with it?

Shannon - he is BA Mighty Dark and Macho, by Barlink Macho Man Two and out of an own daughter of Mighty Awesome, the top paint sire of all time. Sadly, he passed away in May. Mighty Awesome and Barlink Macho Man Two are brothers. Both are world champ halter horses who also throw babies with alot of athletic ability. They will halter then ride, and we are SOOOO excited. This baby has been a LOOONG time coming. This is truly my dream horse of all time. :-):-)

Here are some pics. The first is at 5 months. The next two are at 3 months, just a few days apart before and after 1 full body clipping. The last is at 2 months.

Macho at 5 months


Macho 3 months before clipping
Member:
cmatexas

Posted on Sunday, Sep 20, 2009 - 11:56 pm:

Member:
stek

Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2009 - 10:41 am:

What a handsome boy, look at that butt! Good luck with him Michelle!
Member:
cmatexas

Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2009 - 1:53 pm:

Cyndy - thanks so much for the info. I forgot to say that I think! My husband is an Ag teacher who hauls show cattle all the time, and he wants to go straight through. I, on the other hand, want to be "prepared" for every possibility. Think I'm going to call everyone on the route and make "emergency" arrangements.

I know, I know....I am a big baby. Horses haul across the US all the time, no problem, but I am worried about taking care of MINE. :-):-) Can't afford to have anything happen to him. :-)
Member:
erika

Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2009 - 4:17 pm:

https://horsemotel.com/

just in case you need a backup plan.
Member:
paardex

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 - 11:25 am:

What beautiful baby!
Jos
Member:
cmatexas

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 - 4:13 pm:

Macho is home!! Yeah!!! Will post pics. Very uneventful trip, this baby is broke to death at 7 mo already!

If you are travelling through our part of the nation, consider staying at Lone Star Bed and Bale in Amarillo, TX. Barn was wonderful, wish mine was that nice! Thick shavings and bucket of water waiting on us when we arrived LATE at night. On site "hotel" was better than most any regular hotel you can find, but much, much cheaper, and right next to the barn. Beautiful location. Beds were so comfy we overslept, and fully stocked community kitchen was complete with not only with every appliance you might need, but an overflowing cupboard and fridge, full of the best snacks, breakfast fixins, drinks, teas, coffee, juice, and anything else you could want to make a full meal - all free of charge! Owners were soooo helpful! Found the place on Horsemotel.com.

Keep them in mind if out that way. Full fence around area, including gate, insures safety. Round pens, arena, too! :-) Know that World Shows are right around the corner.....
Member:
hpyhaulr

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 - 8:50 pm:

Told ya! Paulette runs one of the best horse hotels around. Please remember to post your comments on horsehotel.com Dick Beck (the site owner) as well as the rest of us count on that info. It has helped us steer toward or away from a place many times.
Glad you had a good trip and made it home well.
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