Posted 2006-08-06 2:15 PM (#46078) Subject: How hot is too hot?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 333
I bought a remote thermometer for my trailer for a trip I am making to Chicago. How hot is too hot and when should I start adding the ice to the trailer floor?
Posted 2006-08-06 3:01 PM (#46080 - in reply to #46078) Subject: RE: How hot is too hot?
Location: Texas
As long as you are moving and the trailer is well ventilated, you shouldn't have a problem. I'm not sure how much ice on the shavings really cools the horses, but if it makes you feel better, then add it. I wouldn't worry if the temp. is 100 degrees, as long as you are moving.When you stop,try to find shade as the sun will really heat the trailer with no air circulating. If you have to stop for an extended period, spray the horses down with cool water. It has been 100+ down here since Christmas it seems like and the horses have survived a lot of miles. Keeping the air moving is the key. Sorry I couldn't tell you exactly at what temp. to add the ice, but this is the best advice I can give.
Posted 2006-08-08 7:25 AM (#46205 - in reply to #46078) Subject: RE: How hot is too hot?
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by Jbsny on 2006-08-06 2:15 PM
I bought a remote thermometer for my trailer for a trip I am making to Chicago. How hot is too hot and when should I start adding the ice to the trailer floor?
Thanks!
Jbsny
"Too hot" probably depends more on the condition of the horses than numbers on the remote thermometer. Fit, young horses can probably take it a lot easier than old and/or frail animals.
I don't see the point of icing the floor, it is in any case the coolest part of the trailer and you will NOT generate convection currents to cool the air above the floor. Open up your roof vents to extract, NOT in the forward "scooping" position.
If temperature is REALLY a HUGE issue to you consider travelling at night.
As I remember it from other threads you're only doing about 600 miles, 8 pm to 8 am, or 9 to 9, should be plenty of time. If you have to travel by day seek shade at your water stops, e.g. shadow of van trailers at truck stops.
Posted 2006-08-08 8:24 PM (#46246 - in reply to #46244) Subject: RE: How hot is too hot?
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by farmbabe on 2006-08-08 7:26 PM
I never heard of adding ice to the bedding in a trailer. Do people really do this and does it even help?
I have been told that (WAY before my time) ice was sawn from lakes in the winter and packed in straw where it stayed frozen for months and was shipped many miles.
I suspect that ice in woodshavings would be similarly insulated, i.e. it wouldn't absorb much heat and therefore wouldn't melt.
{Have we been this way before just recently ?}
Cold to the touch, yes.
Capacity to absorb a lot of heat while remaining cold, probably not.
Ability to lower temperatures significantly, probably not if embedded in wood shavings.
How hot is too hot?
