Posted 2009-08-22 5:58 AM (#109811 - in reply to #109798) Subject: RE: Advice on Hauling Over 6 Hours?
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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.
Posted 2009-08-22 8:32 AM (#109816 - in reply to #109811) Subject: RE: Advice on Hauling Over 6 Hours?
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.
Posted 2009-08-22 7:48 PM (#109831 - in reply to #109663) Subject: RE: Advice on Hauling Over 6 Hours?
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Posts: 1
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!
Posted 2009-08-22 9:53 PM (#109839 - in reply to #109663) Subject: RE: Advice on Hauling Over 6 Hours?
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
Posted 2009-08-22 10:03 PM (#109841 - in reply to #109663) Subject: RE: Advice on Hauling Over 6 Hours?
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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
Posted 2009-08-22 10:24 PM (#109846 - in reply to #109663) Subject: RE: Advice on Hauling Over 6 Hours?
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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.
Posted 2009-08-23 3:55 PM (#109871 - in reply to #109663) Subject: RE: Advice on Hauling Over 6 Hours?
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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.
Posted 2009-08-26 4:17 PM (#110020 - in reply to #109663) Subject: RE: Advice on Hauling Over 6 Hours?
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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.