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Veteran
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Location: Dallas, TX | Hello,I am considering hauling my horse (and possibly my husbands horse) from Dallas, TX to Amarillo, TX for a 6-day long clinic. It is almost 400 miles. I've never trailered my horses this distance. Can you all give me advice/tips? Should I hang water in the trailer or offer it at stops? Should I unload the horses for at anytime during the journey (say at the half-way mark), or leave the horses on the trailer the entire time? Thanks in advance for all your help and advice!! 
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Expert
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Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | Don't unload anyone until you get there. Hang hay bags, they act as a pacifier, keeps them ocupied, bring extra hay for refills. We don't offer grain, just oat hay. Offer water at fuel/bathroom stops. AND KEEP ROLLING!!! No sit down dinners until the horses are stalled at their new residence. 400 miles is not too far.... Maybe 8 hours or less. We haul 600-800 miles on a regular basis and have never had any trouble
Edited by retento 2009-08-19 6:15 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Florida | We haul 8 hours into the Adirondack mountians, 6 hours up into Maine and with no issues, the kids come off and go for a short ride the same day. We do not put hay in the trailer until our mid point stop. Just something new I tried this year. I worry that they would just cram the hay and have no water for 8 hours. All worked out well. We always unload carefully I use shipping boots for the long hauls and take them off before I unload. I then allow a turn out and a roll with water and hay then we stretch them out on a light ride. Hope this helps. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Brooksville, Fl | Since you will most likely be hauling in heat a good idea is to get them hydrated a few days before you leave. Many of the distance riders I know will add a little salt or some electrolyes to the feed a few days out to be sure the horses have been drinking plenty. Hay will actually help the gut to hold some moisture and keep working. If the horse is very comfortable in the trailer, they will finish it but often they will just eat a little at a time and sometimes not at all. Offer them water at each stop. Take water from home as they will be more likely to drink it. I don't like to haul over 8 hours myself but that's just because I don't like to sit in the truck much over 8-10 hours..LOL. You can feed a wet meal of beet pulp before you go if your horses are used to it. It's great to get them hydrated and it's good bulk to keep them pooping. Not necessarily a huge meal but something nice and wet. I think it's dangerous to unload the horses en-route for the most part and what happens if they decide they don't want to get back in!? Many recommend to stop about every 3 hours to give the horses a break. This works for me somewhat as I usually have to use the bathroom by that time anyhow. We make quick stops, especially if it's hot. The first time we hauled 7 hours we actually stayed overnight after 3 hours. Seems kind of silly now. Have a nice trip =) |
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Expert
Posts: 1351
Location: Decatur, Texas | Originally written by Dmarr on 2009-08-19 6:00 PM
Hello,I am considering hauling my horse (and possibly my husbands horse ) from Dallas, TX to Amarillo, TX for a 6-day long clinic. It is almost 400 miles. I've never trailered my horses this distance. Can you all give me advice/tips? Should I hang water in the trailer or offer it at stops? Should I unload the horses for at anytime during the journey (say at the half-way mark), or leave the horses on the trailer the entire time? Thanks in advance for all your help and advice!!
Just my opinion, we haul that way in Oct. for the CMSA finals from Decatur and will stop in Wichita Falls and eat and find a place off of the main road with grass and take ours out and let them walk around and drink water for a few. But ours will get in and out anywhere we go with no issues. If your horses have never hauled that far and you are not sure about your loaded and unloading at unknown places, I would stop and offer them water and just let them stand in the trailer while stopped for a little bit. Traveling in this Texas heat is tuff on any horses.
Wichita Falls has plenty of good stopping places for trucks with trailers.
Would not hang water in the trailer while driving (big mess) I would make sure they have plenty of haY. Something else we have done this year in the heat is wet the hay down before you put it in the trailer, not soak it just damp it a little. HELPS!
Also we use "beet plup" a few days before the trip and while we are at any event. It is cheap and we mix a scoop and let water set in it over night.
The better half cuts up carrots and puts them in a zip lock bag with water and feeds on the way and on trail rides.
Get you a bag of shavings (coarse, not fine) for the floor of the trailer if you don't have them, helps with urine splater and smell.
Hope this helps, have fun.
HTB |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Florida | randemtam too funny stop and use the bathroom! No kiddin! Thats me all the way. |
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Veteran
Posts: 197
Location: MT | Hauling 400 miles is a short trip shouldn't take you more than 6 hours at the very most and all the horses need is hay. I graduated from college in may and I lived 10 hours from home to college. When I drove it w/ horses only time I stop is for fuel (but that is any trip for me stopping just makes a long trip longer). But horses will be fine in a trailer for a long time. |
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Location: Central Arkansas | When I make that same trip, I stop for a short break in Witchita Falls like hogtown does. It isn't that bad of a drive at all. The roads are good thru there. |
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 Elite Veteran
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Location: Western WA | Keep hay in front of them to keep them busy, offer water at stops but don't be surprised if they don't drink. If nothing else it will give you peace of mind you offered water at least. I wouldn't unload until you get there, especially if your horses aren't used to longer trips. They will be fine  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | Hauling that far isn't any issues. I do not give horses hay when hauling because it makes them thirsty and they tend to not drink when being hauled. If it's hot you might give them electrolites the day before and plenty of water. Done 16 hours straight many times and they wouldn't ever drink water when offered. Too dangerous to load and unload in an uncontrolled area. Never had a horse that seemed stressed from hauling long distances. If I am hauling over 8 hours I do stop for 1/2 hour rests at dinner time with hay and water offered and untied to rest there neck. |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | I did a few long distance hauls in both mild and hot weather. My gelding is a trooper so i wasn't worried about him but I did have a water bucket in his stall but he didn't drink ( it mostly sloshed around). He also had some hay and munched a bit. I don't tie in the trailer which allows the horse to reach down for hay.I just made sure all the windows and vents were open.I had good bedding to allow for solid footing and to soak up urine. No wraps or blankets ( hot weather)I didn't stop anymore than I had to- Don't unload them. Just get to where you are going. |
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Veteran
Posts: 241
| Lets add another twist to this thread-- I'm going to be pulling 3 horses from Southern Montana up to Anchorage, Alaska. I'm guessing it will take about five days if I put in 8 hour days on the road. My trailer is a Hart stock trailer. What recommendation to you have for a trip like this where it will be several long days in the trailer for the horses. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Florida | I know when the dealers come up from FL to New England they haul striaght thru. The horses look tired but they recover in a day or so. You may need a rest day for rolling and streching at least twice I figure. If it were me I would plan a few good stops and stretch the trip out a few days. |
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 Expert
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Location: NY | everyting that every body has posted sound good I use to haul horse to florida for friends we would oil them up day before and just hay and water the whole way down they did fine |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/info_tra... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Western WA | I'd suggest longer days (much longer if you can find a tag team driver) making it a shorter overall trip. Originally written by AQHA 123 on 2009-08-20 4:43 PM
Lets add another twist to this thread-- I'm going to be pulling 3 horses from Southern Montana up to Anchorage, Alaska. I'm guessing it will take about five days if I put in 8 hour days on the road. My trailer is a Hart stock trailer. What recommendation to you have for a trip like this where it will be several long days in the trailer for the horses. |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | We bought a Holsteiner mare and foal in New Mexico and had them shipped to PA. The shippers had an impressive rig, sport truck with sleeper; an open floor plan, fully insulated, air ride trailer with camera hooks ups, A/C and heat. The two horses were not tethered, and allowed to move about in an area equivalent to a smaller stall. The drivers' only stops were for some meals, fuel, and a specific hands on look at the horses on a five to six hour basis. The horses had a constant supply of water and hay; straw bedding was up to their knees. They were stiff and sore after their long straight through trip, and with a couple days' rest, quickly settled into their new environment. Those drivers said this was easier on the horses than multiple days of traveling with long breaks. That is, assuming they are healthy and not in distress. Spending more time in recovery before any activity is most beneficial. Gard |
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Veteran
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| I think thats what I'l do, drive as many hours a day as I can. My wife and I can take turns at the wheel and maybe do it in five days. I honestly don't know how long it takes to drive to Alaska,I always fly. The trailer is a new stock trailer with a weekend living quarters (thanks Gard!), so it should be comfortable enough if I put down a thick layer of shavings. I don't normally like shavings in there but on a long trip like that it will be a must. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Brooksville, Fl | I agree with headhunter about making longer days and an overall shorter trip if possible. With Gard's post, however, you need to take into consideration the difference in the rig. A large rig with a nice ride and open stalls isn't exactly equivalent to a smaller stock trailer in the ride the horses receive. Overall, I would imagine the horses would have less problem with a straight through trip in one of the big rigs where they can move around. We had one shipped here from Texas and we paid for a box stall for him since he was young and hadn't been hauled. He obviously seemed pretty comfortable as he ate a whole bunch of hay according to the hauler. He still eats a whole bunch of hay =) Have a safe trip. One of the places I would like to go to ride is Alaska. I'm jealous... |
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Veteran
Posts: 241
| Originally written by randemtam on 2009-08-21 6:34 PM One of the places I would like to go to ride is Alaska. I'm jealous... |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Have you ever tried shredded paper for bedding? It has many advantages over sawdust and shavings; high rate of absorption and no dust, and many places can't give it away. It works great afterward in the garden and completely breaks down. Just a thought. Have a safe trip and enjoyable stay. It sounds like quite an adventure. Take lots of bug spray. Gard
Edited by gard 2009-08-21 7:33 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Brooksville, Fl | AQHA 123, I always tie my horses too but I tie them long enough so that they can lower their heads enough to clear their sinuses. I wouldn't have a problem with not tying them but they always manage to get into some sort of mischief if I don't. We hauled all 4 on one trip and they were back there just rocking around. Not enough to worry me, but I could feel them. When we stopped at the ag station I found that one had come untied and had managed to turn enough to irritate his neighbor. Tied him back up and the moving around ceased. I'm not sure how he came untied as it was a trailer tie with a panic snap on it. Go figure. |
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Veteran
Posts: 241
| I can sure feel my horse when they step around, some will step around a little, others will stand and not even move. I just returned from a horse buying trip to Utah where I bought two Hollywood Dun It horses. It was a long trip back home but the one horse I bought didn't hardly even move. He stood there like a champ the whole time. Another horse I have has to move around every 15 minutes just to remind me he's back there. |
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Veteran
Posts: 201
Location: Lincoln, NE | Sounds like the kind of hauler we'd all prefer to use with primo care of the horses as job one.
The more I learn the more I like the idea of not tying. But my big gelding would get stuck because he tries to turn around in the trailer and is too long. When loose horses seem to prefer facing backwards. Go figure! |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by gard on 2009-08-21 8:15 PM Have you ever tried shredded paper for bedding? It has many advantages over sawdust and shavings; high rate of absorption and no dust, and many places can't give it away. It works great afterward in the garden and completely breaks down. Just a thought. Have a safe trip and enjoyable stay. It sounds like quite an adventure. Take lots of bug spray. Gard Wood pellets are great... http://www.shavings-direct.com/wood_pellet_bedding.php |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Iowa | Originally written by AQHA 123 on 2009-08-21 6:10 PM
I think thats what I'l do, drive as many hours a day as I can. My wife and I can take turns at the wheel and maybe do it in five days. I honestly don't know how long it takes to drive to Alaska,I always fly. The trailer is a new stock trailer with a weekend living quarters (thanks Gard!), so it should be comfortable enough if I put down a thick layer of shavings. I don't normally like shavings in there but on a long trip like that it will be a must. I'm not sure where you are from, but I don't think you can drive to Alaska in 5 days....can you? That's one heck of a haul. |
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | Originally written by sinful on 2009-08-22 6:58 AM Originally written by AQHA 123 on 2009-08-21 6:10 PM
I think thats what I'l do, drive as many hours a day as I can. My wife and I can take turns at the wheel and maybe do it in five days. I honestly don't know how long it takes to drive to Alaska,I always fly. The trailer is a new stock trailer with a weekend living quarters (thanks Gard!), so it should be comfortable enough if I put down a thick layer of shavings. I don't normally like shavings in there but on a long trip like that it will be a must. I'm not sure where you are from, but I don't think you can drive to Alaska in 5 days....can you? That's one heck of a haul. Billings. Mt. to Anchorage Ak.... Google say 2664 miles or ABOUT 2 days!!! Same beginning and same destination through mapquest is... 2666 miles and 47.25 hours... Or ABOUT 2 days. http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Billings&1s=MT&2c=Anchorage+&2s=AK |
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New User
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Location: Houston, MN | husband and i drove to anchorage, ak a couple of years ago from peoria, il. took us 62 hours of driving time. many of the highways can be travelled comfortably at any hour of the day or night even hauling a trailer, but once you are on the actual alaska highway daytime is probably more "user friendly". you'll find across canada that there are fewer road signs than in the usa so making sure you are on the right highway and how far you have to go between points can be tricky. also, depending on time of year you might find that fuel stations may not be open all night, so i don't recommend getting below a quarter tank or hauling without a spare can or two. our plan to haul the horses up in 2010 includes 1/2 hour stops every 4 hours and stopping after 12 for the night. have a great trip! |
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 Member
Posts: 25
Location: Sedalia, Colorado | Horses in good condition will haul better on long trips.
Should I hang water in the trailer or offer it at stops? Should I unload the horses for at anytime during the journey (say at the half-way mark), or leave the horses on the trailer the entire time?
We never feed or water in the trailer. We have hauled 12 hrs in the trailer, break overnight on outside trailer tie (best to walk on halter a bit to get the kinks out) with light feed and as much water as they want. Back in trailer for another half day. Rest full day at camp before strenuous ride.
Seven 30 mile days of steep Rocky Mtn trails. 16 hrs trailered home.
They were in better condition when arrived home than when we started. Check condition every 4-6 hrs, do not allow dehydration, stop and unload if need be for as long as required to water and stretch.
Edited by Sundancer's Sidekick 2009-08-22 10:06 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1877
Location: NY | if you can you should sign up with us rider just in case you need help. I would not use wood pellets they only break down after they get wet until then they are hard and the horse would have a hard time keeping it footing |
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Veteran
Posts: 285
| This past summer, we drove 800 miles in one day. We stopped every hour and half for about 15 to 20 min. to let them get a break. We did not unload them, just offered them water at each stop. They did fine. Took us about 14 hours for the 800 miles but that also included all of the breaks. We stopped at a Cabelas for the night and used their corrals. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Iowa | [ Billings. Mt. to Anchorage Ak.... Google say 2664 miles or ABOUT 2 days!!! Same beginning and same destination through mapquest is... 2666 miles and 47.25 hours... Or ABOUT 2 days. http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Billings&1s=MT&2c=Anchorage+&2s=AK I had friends leave Iowa for Alaska several years ago. It took them 9 days to get there. They must have stopped a lot. |
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Veteran
Posts: 241
| I think 5 days from Helena to Anchorage seem pretty reasonable. That would be about 10 hours a day. I just hope I can find some places along the way to stall ,or better yet paddock, the horses at night. I hate to tie them to the trailer every night. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Florida | I would definately plan ahead for that thought! http://www.horseandmuletrails.com/ |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS | Having hay in the trailer is very beneficial in avoiding stomach ulcers not to mention helping relieve stress and boredom for any trip over 6 hours. |
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Veteran
Posts: 229
| AQHA 123- I've done several Oregon-Washington to Texas-Missouri with a stock trailer. After five days/four nights on the road mine do fine. On the advise of my vet, I bed deep with shavings. Also, I don't alter the feed or feeding times. I feed in the am with hay in the trailer for the road. Mine drink OK, but if I were in doubt, I'd do like an earlier poster said and dip the hay in water and then drain it. I put in about a 10 hour day, circa 500 miles, with one long lunch stop for me and to let the horses rest in the trailer. Prior to pulling out after lunch, I offer the horses water. For the night, I try to find a good lay over place for the horses to rest and roll and give them their water, hay and supplements/minerals. I look at the rough mileage and possible routes and try to locate county fairgrounds or rodeo grounds at which I usually can find a decent sized pen of some sort and/or stalls. I call ahead and check out these places to make sure that they will be available on the day that I'm estimated to arrive. |
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New User
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| On the Alaska trip. Nothing to add to the given advice. Just wanted to say WISH I WAS GOING WITH YOU. GOOD LUCK & BE SAFE |
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Advice on Hauling Over 6 Hours?
