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Discussion on Trailering to OK
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Friday, Mar 10, 2006 - 11:56 pm:
Hello all. While Demetrius finishes up his training I am mentally preparing for our trip to Enid in three months. I have read as many of the previous posts on trailering and would just like to ask a few more questions I couldn't find the answers too on old posts.
We have a 2006 Trails West Slant load bumper pull.
Since there is a stall divider we will be tying his head so he doesn't get caught under the divider or try to lie down and he will travel in the front stall. We will use a turtle snap tie and give him some room to move his head but not enough to get his legs caught up in.
I read airflow is important especially when traveling in the summer. We will be traveling in June from ND directly south to OK and are traveling in the day because of safety issues. Should I leave the windows open with the screens to increase airflow? Or will his hay from the hay bag blow in his face? Will leaving the windows open and wetting his hay achieve both? And should I sponge him down with cool water to keep him cool?
Next...read a trailering safety article in the current issue of Horse Illustrated. It said in a study of 10 horses traveling to simulated show environments in a distance of 4-5 hours, 7 had developed ulcers from trailering stress and provided a protocol on Cimetidine prophylaxis prior to travel for one week and for up to two weeks after arrival to destination. Any benefits to that?
The article also said horses are reluctant to urinate without the bedding but some will if bedding is present. Should I use a pelleted bedding to make him more comfortable or does that just add to the risk of contaminating his airway? We will be stopping every 4 hours for a rest.
Should we unload him if in a safe location away from the road?
And lastly we will be traveling 1/2 of the 17 hour journey on one day and one half the next day. Should I use electrolyte replacement in his water during travel and layover?
I apologize if some of these questions have been asked before. Regardless of the articles I really trust HA to get is straight. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
v/r
Corinne
P.S. And we will have roadside assistance with USrider who very smartly recommended traveling with two spare tires just in case as you rarely puncture just one!
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 - 10:24 am:
Hi Corinne. First of all, relax a little! I think Demetrius will make the trip just fine, and so will you. We don't want both of you getting ulcers from stress and worry!
I have a 3 horse Trails West slantload bumperpull with a large dressing area,and love it. It pulls like a dream and is very stable. The horses seem quite comfortable in it.
I put shavings down on the floor and in warm weather dampen them a little so they aren't so dusty with the windows open. I travel with the windows open and the upper vents open if it's real hot, but I don't open the windows on the tail side all the way. You can experiment a little to see what keeps a good air flow without making a hurricane inside. When I have the windows open, I put fly masks on the horses so I don't worry about stuff blowing in their eyes.
My trailer as the feeder in front of the horses. I usually start them out with a little hay in the feeder, and then if a long trip, feed them at their regular times. I don't feed any grain. I put a half full water bucket in front of each horse, which seems to work good and doesn't spill.
On a long trip, I stop every three hours for about 15 minutes and check the horses, offer water and give them a chance to urinate. I don't unload them during the day, although I used to years ago when I only had a small, straight load trailer that kept the horses more cramped up.
As to temperature, the trailer will be cooler than the outside temp. because of the breeze blowing through and because it's shady inside. It will get hotter inside when you are stopped.
If I am traveling in extremely hot temps, I carry a spray bottle and wet the horses down periodically so they are cooler as the water evaporates. You can also put a wet cotton sheet on a horse and wet it down again when you stop. I've only done this when traveling across the desert in the summer - something I normally try to avoid.
I read that article in Horse Illustrated, also. I have to say, I read it with some amazement. I've trailered our horses all over the country for a lot of years and have never had any of them exhibit any signs of ulcers. Of course, mine start trailering when they are babies, even if it's just for a few miles and back home so they get used to it. Maybe that makes the difference??
I've been lucky with flats. I've only had two in all my years of trailering (knock on wood!)
I did have the ball break off the truck one time though (again back in the days of the old straight load) That was pretty interesting. Make sure your safety chains are solidly attached!
I think one of the things that makes the biggest difference in your horse's comfort is the way you drive. Slow and easy, especially around corners and when stopping.
It would be good for you to take Demetrius on some practice trips before the big one. I'd start out with just a real short one, winding up back home, and work up to longer trips. The longer ones, you might ever unload somewhere "neat" for a horse....interesting, something good to eat, etc. Then reload and go home. If you work up to it, I think the trip to OK will be "no big deal" for either of you.
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 - 2:26 pm:
Sara,
Thanks for the lengthy response! I have always been type A and stress before big events so to temper that (and prevent ulcers myself) I arm myself with the most information then during the actual big event I am not typically nervous (with the exception of the show ring! LOL) which is great or I would drive myself nuts! I think that's why I did great in the miltary....alot of us are type A!
Anyway, I love your idea about the wet sheets and the shavings and I will be sure to take it slow and easy as I always do. So far we have trailered locally and up to three hours away and he is always fine...although he hates shipping boots because they scare him but seems fine with no bows and wraps.
As for the points on ulcers in that article it seemed like if that was the case there would be alot of sick horses around. What do you think Dr O?
Corinne
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 - 7:04 pm:
I gave up on shipping boots long ago. Like you, I use boots and wraps, if anything.
I'm very interested in what the good doc has to say about the ulcers and travel, also. (Maybe they got it wrong, and it's the people that get the ulcers?)
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 - 11:24 pm:
Corinne,
Check and see if the trailer is insulated, our Exiss is in the horse part and it really helps keep them cool. We traveled So. Cal in heat over 100 degrees a lot and the horses never even broke a sweat, I think they were more comfortable than we were in the truck. I kept the vents and windows open for ventilation.
I also found most will not drink until 4-6 hours into the trip. I used to use powdered electrolytes because I had them and thought the flavoring might help get them drinking. I don't think it makes any difference now, if they are not sweating I just offer water.
And for you I'd suggest a Prozac and start worrying again in six weeks.  (Just kidding, about the Prozac anyhow ).
Good day,
Alden
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 - 12:22 am:
Alden,
Thanks for the reassurance. If putting me on a Prozac were something that could keep me from being a worrier I think my hubby would have slipped me some by now....LOL. At least with you all, you can walk away from the computer...that poor man has to live with me and since we move every 24 months and I plan out every step of our move at least six months prior the poor guy doesn't have a relaxed wife often....
Seriously I feel ready for the trip and wouldn't without all of your support. If I haven't said this a thousand times before....it's so nice to be able to find a sounding board that is reliable and trustworthy. I truly appreciate all of you!
Have a great Sunday.
v/r
Corinne
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 - 9:44 am:
Recent research shows that trailering and spending a little time at a foreign barn then trailering back does increase the incidence of gastric ulcers when the horses are examined with a gastroscope. But this is a subclinical problem (there are no symptoms) for most horses, recovering once they arrive at home and have a chance to establish a routine.
DrO
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 - 10:16 am:
Just one more thing. Don't forget horses are very perceptive, if you go into this worried he'll pick up on that emotion. So it will benefit you both if you take a deep breath (maybe yoga instead of Prozac )
I did a little research once on Enid. We were considering a military assignment there , but it didn't turn out and I went to Edwards, CA (YUK!) instead. If I remember correctly the Enid area is pretty horsey, plenty of places to ride.
Good day,
Alden
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Member:
Christel
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 - 11:22 am:
Hi Corrine, I too think you will do just fine.
I know people like you, worry over every little thing, nothing wrong w/ that, I on the other hand, worry when its time to worry- takes all to make the world go round.
One thing I do that hasn't been mentioned, is take plenty of your own water. Sometimes horses won't drink new water. I always take enough to mix w/ the new water too, slowly getting the horse familar w/ the new.
I, like Sara, wet down my bedding, to keep it from flying around and to keep it cooler in trailer when it is hot. I like the sheet wetted down for extra coolness also, and the spray bottle of water is a good idea.
I once hauled two horses to Mississippi from here in Texas, it took 16 hours, which was about 3 hours longer than I anticipated. I was by myself and quite tired by the time I got there. Because I was by myself I choose to not unload at all during the trip, I have heard many horror stories on unloading while traveling. The horses were fine and there were no problems after arriving at destination. However one of the horses was hard to load for the new owner several weeks later.
One thing else not mentioned. I do tie the horses when traveling, but I make sure at every potty break for me, or fueling up, any time I stop I untie the horses. This allows them to lower their heads. Holding their heads up for an extended period of time is bad for their lungs, they need to be able to lower their heads ever so often.
I am not far from Enid and it is a pretty place, rolling hills, and you can see for miles, not many trees and such to block your views. As I write this the wind here is blowing about 40 mph, dust is in the air as it has been soooo dry this winter. A typical March, wind shouldn't be that much of a problem for you in June, but I would almost guarantee it will be either hot or raining- if raining it will probably be in the form or severe thunderstorms, with hail and/or tornadoes- I am use to it, but you on the other hand will have something else to worry about-lol.
Good luck, you will be fine.
Chris
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 - 3:26 pm:
Chris,
Thanks for the additional tips. I think releasing his head while resting is a good idea and not taking him out of the trailer just in case is also food for thought.
Where in Texas are you? I lived there from 1997-2000 and miss it! I was a nurse at Scott and White in Temple but was commissioned into the Air Force in Arlington then stationed in San Antonio.
I have been through my shares of natural disasters and for some reason I come though unscathed because we always take precautions. The first Tornado i experienced after my first few months in Texas could be seen from my living room we hid in the tub under couch cushions. It killed 30 people in Moody's Point (if I remember the town name correctly) and I had a patient on the surgical floor the next night that sustained severe injuries from such.
I have also experienced Flash Floods while living in San Antonio, Earthquakes while taking care of an infant on life support when I lived in Okinawa, Huge ten foot waves landing on my car while traveling down the coast of Oki, 60 below zero weather and blizzards in ND and almost DrOwning in a plus five rapid river in Idaho where we had to be rescued because our raft deflated.
With all that being said I guess God is watching out for me and a little 16 hour haul with the horse should be all fun and games! But you can see with everything I have been through how I like to be prepared for the unexpected! LOL We will just pray for good weather on June 15th
and if it rains we will go slow.
Thanks for the wishes for luck!
Corinne
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 - 3:28 pm:
oooopppss I forgot to add and four typhoons.
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Member:
Christel
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 - 3:59 pm:
Corrine, I am in the Texas Panhandle about 30 miles from Amarillo- the part of the state that is unnoticed-lol.
While traveling w/ horses in Texas I have had to find the nearest underpass to park under due to hail and such. Good thing- these storms usually pass quickly.
We have much the same weather as Enid, except they probably get a little more rain than we do and have a few more trees.
My brother and his family live in Mississippi about 30 minutes from the coast. They received extensive damage from Katrina last year- I will take tornadoes anytime over those hurricans, at least w/ tornadoes one doesn't have to worry for a week before they hit, you worry for about an hour at the most-lol.
With your weather experiences you will fit right in- we can have few earthquakes each year, but usually one reads about them and never knows they happened, and thank goodness we have no typhoons.
I forgot to add, I tried shipping boots one time, the horse stomped and fretted over em so much I figured he was better off w/o them.
Chris
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Member:
Dsibley
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Posted on Monday, Mar 13, 2006 - 10:09 am:
Great to read your posts...I too am taking a road trip soon. Picking up a two-year-old near Tulsa, OK, traveling from Peoria, IL. It should only be a nine or ten hour trip, God willing. We had a bad bout of weather last night, so hope it's over for another week or so. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Thanks so much for the info about untying during rest stops. I wasn't going to unload at all, will take out the center divider to give plenty of room. I'm taking my 30-gallon water tank for his own water, and getting hay and grain to make the transition easier. I'll bed down the trailer well for extra comfort...it's enclosed so don't have to worry about a lot of stuff flying around. Anything else?
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