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Discussion on Safely shipping old horse long distance
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Member:
Lilly
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Posted on Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006 - 9:30 pm:
Hi Dr.O,
My family will be relocating to Louisiana from Virginia sometime this year (military move). I would like to ship my horse, Sebastian, to Louisiana after the temperature cools off - maybe November. Sebastian is around 20 years old and doesn't have the greatest legs. He has DSLD and his rear fetlocks are quite DrOpped. I was planning on transporting him myself. I have a brand new 2 horse Hawk trailer - extra tall and extra wide. A friend suggested that I consider hiring a professional with an air ride trailer. Is there really that big a difference in these types of trailers? Does a box stall make a huge difference as far as his legs holding up? I have owned Sebastian for about 9 months and I have never seen him lame. I just stopped riding him for good in December because vet recommended. I do believe he is pain on a regular basis because of the way he shifts his weight from left hind foot to right hind foot and back again. He has also become more reluctant to lift his feet for the farrier - he gets tired standing on three legs quicker than usual. Even cleaning his feet is getting to be a little more challenging.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 23, 2006 - 9:34 am:
Maybe but I think the extra care you can take will more than compensate for the better ride. Ride him facing forward and accelerate slowly.
DrO
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Member:
Lilly
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Posted on Friday, Feb 24, 2006 - 7:24 pm:
Thanks for the advice. The trip will be approximately 1200 miles. How do I know how many segments to break the trip into? I plan on stopping at horse friendly bed and breakfasts every day or every other day. I was thinking I could drive 350 miles or so a day and stop for the evening. If necessary I could stay a whole day at the horse hotel to let the horses rest. I want Sebastian's legs to be able to handle the trip but I don't want to stress him out by making him travel day after day with no end in sight  Did I mention that I am buying a second horse just so he won't have to travel alone?!?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 - 8:53 am:
There is no need to stay a whole day anywhere and the new horse may be a real mistake, unless you know the horse well and know how he will behave. With you driving 350 miles (lets say 7 hours) a day I would think one stop in the middle for water, hay, and a bit of walking around would be ideal. I would be prepared with bute paste in case there the soreness worsens during the trip.
DrO
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Member:
Lilly
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 - 9:26 am:
Once again Dr.O, thanks. I can't finalize any plans until my husband gets his orders and we are able to buy a house at our new base location. I am hoping (very hard) that I will be able to buy a home with enough property to keep at least 2 horses - 3 would be nicer. After I have a house picked out I can start looking for my second horse. Ideally I would like to buy it months before I move Sebastian to LA and relocate it to the barn I am currently boarding at. That way Sebastian can get to know the new horse. When shopping for a new horse I will specifically look for one that travels well. There are lots of good horses out there that need a good home and could meet my requirements so I am not worried about that aspect. The biggest requirement is that he or she is rideable. I need to break this cycle of owning horses I can't ride! I feel like I am turning into a horse "sugar momma".
But, more than likely I will be moving to LA in August and leaving the horses in VA until the weather cools - about November. At that time I will return and transport them. I will probably try to hire someone to ride with me with the idea of flying the person home. Maybe I can find a college student to do this - especially if I plan the trip around school holidays.
Ann
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 - 10:58 am:
We've traveled all over the country with horses of all ages and hauled in everything from a small two horse straight load to a six horse slant load and have never had problems.
We stop every three hours for at least 15 mins. to give the horses a chance to pee and drink. When hauling in the small two horse, we stopped every four hours and walked the horse around, offered it water, etc. We also stopped over night at a horse motel or fairground.
With the slant load, if possible, I'd as soon drive all night as I dislike unloading in places I'm unfamiliar with due to disease and the fear of injury in a strange place. But, it depends on the horse, how the trailer hauls, etc. Sometimes you can arrange for a safe place to stay by calling other horse people along the way. Often they will have a clean, safe pen or stall they will be willing to let you rent for the night, or will know of a place that is safe and clean.
When it is really hot I prefer to drive at night as the horses are cooler.
If your trailer is set up so you don't have to tie the horse's head so he can lower it, I think that works better. On long hauls I keep water where the horse can easily get to it.
I think your horse will do fine. Just drive carefully so you're not slamming him around in the trailer; stop and check on him every few hours and offer water and make sure he is urinating and pooping; and keep to his normal feed schedule. Also, no grain, just hay. I'd also recommend carrying a horse emergency kit and know how to give shots like Ace or Banamine "just in case."
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Member:
Bodie
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 - 12:04 pm:
Ann,
Where in Louisiana are you heading? I grew up in central Louisiana, and have friends and family scattered about if you need any help in finding a place or learning about the area.
Julie (now in CO)
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Member:
Lilly
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 - 3:32 pm:
Hi Sara,
Thanks for the advice. I am just overly worried because of a conversation I had with Sebastian's former owner. She is absolutely convinced that the horse will not survive being shipped to Louisiana. She believes that Sebastian's legs will give out half way there and I will have to put him down somewhere in the middle of my trip. The conversation really freaked me out. Well, obviously it did because I am starting to worry about a trip 9 months ahead of time! But I am trying to do plenty of prep work and research before the big day. I will have lots of feed, water, hay and a well stocked first aid kit. I am planning on getting a membership to www.usrider.org so that I can get assistance on the road if needed. They have lots of tips for taking horses on long trips. Also, my husband gets special "vacation" time from the military to look for a house. I will travel the same route to look for a house that I will take when transporting the horses. That way I can check out horse hotels along the way.
Julie, we will be going to Barksdale AFB up in the ARK-LA-TEX area. I would love to get a place in Bossier City but more than likely will end up in Benton or Haughton or another little country town near the base. We were stationed at the base from '98-'03 so we have an idea of what the area is like. As the move gets closer I will be putting together a list of anyone and everyone that I might need to call for help along the way. Thank you very much for the offer - I'll take any help you can give me 
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Member:
Lilly
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 23, 2006 - 8:58 am:
Hi,
I just wanted to post an update on the trailering conversation I started here. It turns out that I won't have to ship my old horse after all! A few days ago I donated him to a local petting zoo and he will never have to move again. For those of you who live near Hampton,VA , the petting zoo is Bluebird Gap Farm. I hope he will be happy for the rest of his life. It has been very hard letting go but I also know that a good retirement home is worth a million bucks to someone who loves their horse. Now I just need to move my new mare (owned for 3 months) from VA to LA. We leave on Dec 9 and have reservations in SC and AL at horse motels. I think it will go well. Isabella is a 10 year old Belgium/QH cross and healthy. She loads like a dream. We are very excited about making new friends in Louisiana. We will be riding at Holly Hill Stables in Benton,LA. Thank you everyone for all of your advice. Ann
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 23, 2006 - 10:59 am:
Have fun Ann! I recently sold my Belgian-QH cross. They are so adaptable and easy aren't they?
So glad you found a good home for your other horse.
Erika
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 23, 2006 - 11:04 am:
BTW, I got my 34 year old Morgan several years ago from my neighbor who thought he was too old (in his early twenties then) to take to Colorado.
Just rode him the other day--still a ball of fire. He is still going strong, and has outlived three former owners! I hope it won't be four!
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Friday, Nov 24, 2006 - 12:41 am:
Ann: Safe trip, and good luck!
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