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Discussion on 10 hour trailer ride | |
Author | Message |
Member: Muffi |
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 1:21 am: I am moving up north with my horses in a few weeks and have a few questions for you all out there with the vast amounts of experience.1 - can I do the 10 hours straight? Stopping from time to time to steady the legs (and do the nature thing for the humans) with out unloading the horses? 2 - FOOD - I have a hay bag for each of the two horses. I plan on giving WET Pellets (Grass hay Pellets) along the way - ? what do you recommend? in other words to feed or not to feed that is the question 3 - WATER - I have read that flavored water - rice bran - pellets, molassas (?) will work to get them to drink along the route - what type of volume should I expect to see them drink on a 10 hour trip? 4 - Calmative additives - like Calmex or what ever - is that recommended to keep them mellow? once in the trailer they are pretty good. I see them moving their heads side to side looking out at the view - they are calm when we stop to go back and say hey and check on them when we did a longer trip locally. they come out calmly too. 5 - It's gonna be hot - Summer time in Az and new Mexico. can I do that at nite? Does the time of day matter? I have been practicing with them - took them on a 2 1/2 hour trip in the local neighbor hood to a park rode them and brought them home. they did fine but - ate pellets but didn't drink much. second time we did that they drank more but this time I flavored the water with Rice Bran. the trailer is a straight load - I am bringing two horses in dead of summer. we are gaining elevation quickly so in about a hour and a half it should be 20 degrees cooler 9 form 110 to 90 /80 degrees expected. Thanks guys - I await your responses.... Muffi, Comet and Midnight. |
Member: Oscarvv |
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 7:53 am: Hi there,Here are my opinions, I am sure you will get plenty of good advice. It's OK to do the 10 hours straight (stopping for breaks like you posted), but I would do it at night or start very early to avoid the super hot first part of the trip. Trailers get pretty hot and when you are stopped, they really heat up quickly. I would not add anything to the water they haven't had before. That might turn them off to drinking even more. Can you bring water from home for them? Or try out some of the h2o additives at home to see if they like one more than the other. Water on the way usually taste/smell very different. Some people tube their horses before a long trip if they are concerned about drinking or impaction. Talk to your vet about that. I wouldn't give them anything other than hay to eat along the way. Best of luck on your move! -Barbara |
Member: Kthorse |
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 7:54 am: Hi Muffi,I was just wondering the reason for not stopping to let them stretch their legs. Is there a reason that you cant stop? It can be done but I dont recomend it. We bought a new stallion and did not know him at all. we had to transport him about 10 hours. He was kicking the back of the trailer and was very uptight. Because we did not know this horse and the traffic on the roads we were afraid if we took this guy out we would not get him back in. It was a traumatic drive. I felt so bad for him. He did arrive fine with no problems and he turned out to be a wonderful horse. We only feed hay no grain on long trips, I just feel safer that way. Getting them used to flavoured water is great. So in other words Letting them out to stretch would be much kinder if you are able to do it, even though it can be done. |
Member: Alden |
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:19 am: Muffi,Sounds like your horse is comfortable in the trailer so you shouldn't have a problem with 10 hours. Our Arabian stallion did nearly 18 hours one trip, because of a break down on the freeway, with no ill effects. No way I was getting him out, he only fussed when he wanted water or food. With mechanical failure in mind you may want to look at US Rider road service. It's like AAA but for horse people and they will take care of finding stabling and towing for a rig and trailer. If it's a slant with the room I bungee the divider back so there's more room when there is just one horse. I don't feed while I'm driving, I think it increases the chance of choking (no scientific evidence just MHO). I stop every couple hours and offer water and food. Don't be surprised if he doesn't drink right off, even my seasoned travelers don't start drinking until 4-5 hours into the trip. Once they do though it really goes down. I don't add anything to the water unless they are sweating, then I add electrolytes. My trailer is insulated so it stays cool even in hot weather and sweating is very rare. You may consider a calming product if he's uptight about the trailer, but I wouldn't if he's trained and accepting. Lots of short trips are good to get a horse used to the movement and noise of the trailer. We do lots of weekend trips and all the horses know the routine. Good day, Alden (HTG) |
Member: Tuckern |
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:52 am: Hi Muffi,Is the trailer you are using a two horse straight load with a manger in front? In the trailer, are they able to put their heads down, all the way to the trailer floor? I ask because fluids can accumulate in a horse's lower airways if their heads are held up for a long time. Allowing them to put their heads down every now and then while travelling will facilitate nasal and lower airway drainage to help clean the airways. When I travel long distances with my horses, I stop about every four hours, get the horses out, and let them "rest" for about 15 minutes. I walk them around to loosen up their muscles, let them drink water if they want it, and encourage them to put their heads down. Another thing to remember is the horses will be basically standing in one position for 10 hours (if you don't get them out), and they will have to brace/tense their muscles to stabilize themselves. If they are not allowed to move around, those muscles will be very tight, stiff and sore when you get to your destination. I saw one horse come in from a 9 hour ride, with no stops, flip over backwards to get out of the trailer, because he was so stiff, he couldn't back out of the trailer. Anyway, just food for thought, and my two cents :0). May I ask where you are moving to? I live in the Northwest corner of New Mexico, and it sounds like you will pretty close to me? Nicole in New Mexico |
Member: Muffi |
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 12:25 pm: WOW guys so far so good. Various opinions here.Let me answer some of your questions. the trailer is a straight load I am very nervous and or concerned about taking them out mid trip as it would be at a Highway Rest Stop and they are a bit jumpy in strange areas - I would be concerned that they would bolt in to traffic or hurt them or us. other than that we are doing mini runs on the weekend - trying to set up a routine that they are familiar with - Flavored Water, Trailering, Leg Wraps, Hay bags etc... they do well on the road. First trip out a few weeks ago one horse (I think Accidentally) kicked the other on the back leg - superficial cuts not big deal - but that is the reason for the Wrapping - to keep that down. They hadn't been in the trailer for about 3 months and forgot it was "ok" to go places. But we are taking them out every chance we get on the weekends now. so Night sounds ok then? I think that will be the plan - cause it is much much cooler then. and less traffic on the road. Once we get there they can sleep. Perhaps we need an evening dry run too. like a drive around the freeway (2 hours in Phoenix on the beltline) at nite. Nicole - we are moving up to Glorietta - 20 minutes south east of Santa Fe in the Forest. the boys need cooler weather and Pine Tree Roof. SO DO I!!! I can't wait to go there. with the horses... |
Member: Muffi |
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 12:50 pm: So Nicole - any insider tips on horses in NM? we are moving to an area where there are a few horses - My real estate agent has 3 horses about 1/2 a mile away and she says the rides in the Natl Forest are Exquisite! My desert is great riding but getter hotter every day. so I can't wait be a permanent NM resident! |
Member: Jojo15 |
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 1:57 pm: i'm like you. all nervous on long hauls, and the most i have done is 8 hours up the coast for trail rides and then back again a few days later. I don't take them out of the trailer. What if they don't want to get back in. Then what? So i wouldn't chance it.unless it was over 24 hours where you had to sleep and they could too but even then i have heard of commercial haulers that leave the horses in the truck. Not sure if they do that any more. for hot weather remedies... i have seen some ladies use a mud wrap on their horses, they swear by them. and it makes sense. The mud is cool and soothing on their legs. If it starts to dry out you can spritz them and they retain the coolness. and it helps in stopping any windpuffs. problem is you have to get the horse used to something on their legs. I spent a fortune on the shipping boots, and my horse hated them. I also stop feeding any grain the day before the haul. So their stomachs are less full on grain and more on roughage. I also up their water intake with electrolytes a day or so before. And good idea to bring some water from home. they get all finicky on the road. Bring along a water bottle industrial sized. and carrots. and thats about all i do...I stop to utilize restrooms every couple of hours and that seems to be fine for the horses. And then just double check all safety items for the truck and trailer. about a dozen times. if you didn't know me any better you'd think ihave that obssessive compulsive disease... |
Member: Tuckern |
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 4:16 pm: Hi Muffi,I understand your point about the horses being nervous/jumpy when in different places, thus your hesitance at unloading them at rest areas on the side of the highway. Sounds like you are doing a great job preparing them for the trip. All the time you put in now will be worth it in the end, and your horses will be expert travellers too! There are a lot of great horses, and horsepeople, in New Mexico. Finding them can sometimes be the trick, though. ;0) I have been around horses for about 8 years now, and tend to do things differently than alot of people I've met here. You'll hear alot about the "cowboy mentality". If you don't know what it means, basically it's the mentality that you have to wrestle a horse to the ground in order to gain its respect, and natural horsemanship is all sissy stuff. LOL Your real estate agent is right, riding in the Natl Forest is definitely exquisite. Very beautiful country. I have a friend whom I go visit every couple of months who lives on the west side of the Forest (near Espanola, about 50 miles from Glorieta), so I never pass up a chance when I go down there to ride in the "tall pines". Nicole |
Member: Sswiley |
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:37 pm: One thing you might want to consider. If your horses have never traveled at night they might be startled at the headlights behind them. I always leave the light on inside the trailer for the first couple of times till they get used to it. Also, dont be suprised if they are a little stiff coming out of the trailer. Just let them back as slow as they want. And then they can walk it out. I myself like the bran flavored water, it allows you to get a good drink in if you are concerned about dehydration. My experience has shown that they dont always drink as much as they should.Sounds like you have nice calm horses, it will make the ride better for everyone. |
Member: Gailkin |
Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 3:57 pm: I do let my horses out at rest stops on long trips for about 20-30 minutes every 2-3 hours (I check out the stops ahead of time). They poop and pee, eat a little, walk and stretch. I always offer water but they blow bubbles and never drink. They are very well behaved and I never have any problem with reloading, but I have heard of horses having problems. If it is really hot, I wet the horses down at stops (I carry a small hose) or use buckets. I would worry mostly about dehydration but 10 hours isn't that long. Try to have them well hydrated before you leave. I wouldn't feed any new types of feed in your trailer. Make sure they can lower their heads in the trailer and have lots of air circulation. Hope your trip goes smoothly. Gail |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 6:40 am: All of the answers above have good points, to reinforce some of them and add a few of my own:
DrO |
Member: Corinne |
Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 9:56 am: Dr O....does that include hay or just grain feeds? |
Member: Muffi |
Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 6:43 pm: two horses in a two horse trailer, so No DR O I can not remove the divider. They like each other fine but dont want them to get tangled up in each other - if you know what I mean.As for food. They are already primarily Grass Hay Horses. only some pelets. What we have been doing on the Trial Trips is taking Grass Pellets and soaking them with lots of water and hand feeding a few to them -getting them used to it - They love the had feeding attention !!! The loading is what I am most concerned with . They get in but not as well as I'd like - it is usually a 3 time attempt at the house where they are familiar with everything. (they are getting better at it every time we do it though) So my preference is once they are in they stay there till we get to the final destination. It sounds like that will be ok with Occasional LEG BREAKs or Human Pee breaks. SO I was going to hand feed "Mushy food" when we stop and hang a hay bag in there for the ride munchies. there is a chest bar but they can DrOp their neck down over that so they can lower their heads. We are going to try a nite run this weekend to see how they handle the dark with Lights flashing behind them. Thanks to you all - this information is so valuable to me. Muffi (and Comet and Midnite!!!) |
Member: Alden |
Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 8:02 pm: Muffi,If you can take some time and work on the trailer loading. If I'm teaching a new horse or re-working an older horse I use a work/rest technique and load/unload a dozen or so times per session. A horse that isn't good about loading can sour from being loaded and going. The work/rest thing is just simple lunging outside the trailer then loading to rest. No food or treats, the idea is to make being inside of the trailer a good and comfortable place. The lunging doesn't have to be hard most horses would rather stand still so just 30 seconds work is often enough to get them wanting to rest. So work them, then let them rest in the trailer backing them out to do it all over again. I trailered a stallion out last year that had been train this way as a baby. He walk right in and he hadn't been in a trailer in 10 years! I'd not leave the hay bag in there while traveling, not only for the problems DrO said but there's a risk of getting tangle in them. Good day, Alden (HTG) |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 6:05 pm: Unless the horse is traveling for days without pause, I do not recommend food of any kind while traveling. Though choke on hay is rare it is not unknown and as Alden points out if you use a net the possibility of getting tangled is real.DrO |