in about a month, i will be hauling two horses from houston to colorado for a two week show. we will have two days of driving for nine hours (and one over nite stay.)   one of the horses is on the 'sensitive' side and if he gets too anxious or unhappy, he tends to colic.  therefore, i am trying to figure out things i can do to help him through this long ride. (the horse is a 7 year old appendix.) 

i was wondering about the different brands of calming drugs (the ones that claim to be all natural.)  for those of you who have used them, are there ones that seem to work better than others or ones to maybe stay away from?  i know that different horses will react differently, so i may need to try different ones before we leave.

i have also been told to get several tubes of electrolytes, which will make him thirsty so he will not dehydrate.  and/or starting now, putting a peppermint in his water so he gets used to that smell and won't have a problem drinking water at a different place.   

we will make a couple of short rest stops along the way, but won't unload horses until we get to our evening's destination. (the trailer is 7'6" wide, no mangers, and extra wide stalls, so the horses have a bit of room to stretch.) i am even looking into getting the roof of the trailer insulated before the trip.

any other suggestions??  thanks.

I would recommend that you make more than a few "short stops" on the way.  I would stop for at least 15 minutes every two hours...don't unload the horses, it isn't safe unless they are in a contained area, but to give them a break and make sure that they have fresh water offered to them.  If you have the opportunity it is best to take some of the water from your barn that they are used to drinking and offer that, otherwise, just make sure it is from a potent water supply.

As far as a calming agent, there are many on the market.  However since you are going to a show your first move needs to be to check and see what the show/association rules are since they are many "natural" substances that are banned and testable.  Then just test what is ok and see what will work for your horse, and in what doses, as you don't want him to be to out of it, trying not to fall down in the trailer!

Hi again - I use Ex Stress for my nervous mare.  It is just vitamin B and magnesium and doesn't have the valerian or L-tryptophan.  She is still nervous when trailered, but better if she can put her nose out the window.  You might try different configurations (one stall vs. two, open window vs. closed, etc).  I have a friend who has a mild traquilizer that she gets from the vet to give when trailering.  Very mild she says and not enough to hurt his balance.  I may have to go to that at some point.  Anyway, ask your vet too.

Safe trip!!

You better load up on Banamine(spelling?) or whatever drug your vet administers for colic, know when to dose and what size dose...you better call your vet and see if there are any drugs they recommend or prep methods they prefer.  If you stick to your vets methods then when you call them for the emergency they'll know what you have given already and what drugs you took with you just in case.

Planning for the worst seems to keep it from happening.

Treating water with kool-aid or Gatorade can help mask the taste of different water on the road, pick a flavor and start using it now...then take tons on the road and it will keep them from refusing water that smells or tastes funny/strange.

There are also some very nice rest areas just NW of Wichita falls on 287 that you can stop and lunge your horses at if you so choose.  I'd try and plan out most of your stops long ahead of your trip, it makes traveling so much easier.

I personally don't get horses off the trailer unless absolutely necessary.  Stopping and eating is usually enough rest for their legs if you use good heavy shavings and trailer mats.  In this heat you need to water at every stop (gas/food/potty/etc.)  You might even find a gas station that will let you hook-up your water hose and squirt them off in the trailer (through the drop down windows.)

Last note:  put your colic'r in the last stall so that you can get in the trailer and listen for gut sounds and take his temp if needed without unloading him.  This would also allow you to administer drugs if necessary.