It's official - we are moving from Virginia to Oklahoma. My husband
got orders to Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, OK yesterday and
we have to be there no later than November 30.
We will be splitting the 23 hour trip into 3 days and plan on
stopping at horse motels so our guys can get out and have time to
relax and stretch their legs.
Does anyone have any experience using horse motels? I found the
website horsetrip.com and have found several possible places to stay,
but am not sure how to determine which ones to use. We will be
traveling down Interstate 40 for the majority of the trip and
according to Mapquest it looks like we will need to stop in eastern
Tennessee and Arkansas. Has anyone used a horse motel in either of
these areas?
Also, the farthest I have traveled before with horses is about 8
hours. Any of you pros have tips or suggestions???
Posted 2005-06-16 1:11 AM (#26631 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
Need to check each state for health paper requirements. I think some states require a cert of health in addition to neg coggins. It'd be a bummer to get horses impounded and quarantined on top of the move.
Posted 2005-06-16 6:27 AM (#26634 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Expert
Posts: 2689
I got close to a bad experience with horsetrip.com, not with them but with a place they had listed. Fortunately I checked the place out when I didn't have horses with me, it was a dump and I made other arrangements. The bad part is that horsetrip.com doesn't seem to have a working e-mail address, so I couldn't get the particular BBB & B de-listed. Don't worry, it isn't on your route (-:
On watering, offer it as soon as you stop - and again when you've done your own feed and bio break, they'll take more in two small drinks than one big one. Don't worry if they don't take any on the first water stop, or maybe even the second one. Another thing that SEEMS to help is if you take the stall bucket that they're used to (every little thing, etc.). If you're using 5 gallon ones maybe you'll want to put 2 gallon pails in for a week or two before the trip, they're a lot easier to hold up when nearly full.
Posted 2005-06-16 6:41 AM (#26635 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Regular
Posts: 94 Location: south central pennsylvania
Glad you are breaking the trip up into 3 days..very wise. We brought a horse from Denver to our home in Southcentral Pennsylvania. I put "horse motel" in the search engine, and did a state by state search. We took a different route, and used a horse motel in Lexington, Kentucky, the huge fairgrounds in central Missouri, and another stable in Kansas. The rates were reasonable, and accomodations very satisfactory. I also kept a folder with horse motels in all states we were going through - never know when the unexpected may happen. I called several weeks before the trip to reserve a spot, then called again when we were about 4 hours out as a courtesy to the horse motel, and I wanted no surprises! We had flat on the trailer on the interstate-make sure your spare is good, and jack operational. We also are firm believers in giving the horses a full hour rest over lunch. Trailer travel is hard work! If you are tired, the horses are tired. Our horses always have hay in front of them, and are offered water at each stop. At the horse motel, walk your horse for a while before putting him in the stall. This will stretch his legs, and give him a chance to pee and poop. I take water from home (5-10 gallons), so he has familiar water at least for the first part of the trip. I know this is conservative, but my motto is better safe than sorry!
Posted 2005-06-16 7:23 AM (#26637 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Expert
Posts: 2689
Re 23 hours: If you used mapquest to figure the time I suggest you use their mileage, but calculate your time based on a 50 MPH average for freeways, with horses you'll be very lucky to do much better than this. I think they assume an average equal to the speed limit, you won't make the sort of times the mapping programs predict.
Posted 2005-06-16 8:05 AM (#26640 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Member
Posts: 45 Location: Tuttle, OK
Hi Lisa!
You will love OK! I moved here 3 years ago from Indiana. There are so many horse related activities here that you shouldn't ever be bored. I make the trip back to Indiana about once a year with my horse so I can show with my family. I have used both www. horsemotel and http://www.horsetrip/ for overnighting and have always had pretty good luck. One of those sites has a rating system for the facilities and I have found that helpful in picking places. Since I assume from your username that you have QH's, you can also find many farms in the QH Journal that are along the way and they are usually more than accomodating.
Take your time and enjoy the trip. I would also highly suggest starting your horse on electrolytes before the trip. That always seems to keep my horse well hydrated.
If you need any additional info about the area, let me know and I'd be glad to help. Congrats on becoming an Okie!!!
Posted 2005-06-16 8:21 AM (#26645 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Regular
Posts: 97
Wow! I'm green with envy. We live in SC. I'm sure you will just love it in OK. Along with equipment that is familiar to your horses, you may even want to take some of your own water. Sometimes the difference in the water from one area to another will deter them from drinking. Good Luck!
Posted 2005-06-16 9:07 AM (#26652 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Regular
Posts: 53
Lisa,
We are looking at moving to Virginia. What are the horse activities like there? Good trails to ride in the mountains? How populated are the trails - I mean are you going to run into tons of people? Anything you or anyone else that lives there can share is appreciated.
Posted 2005-06-16 9:13 AM (#26655 - in reply to #26652) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by lucky on 2005-06-16 10:07 PM
We are looking at moving to Virginia. What are the horse activities like there? Good trails to ride in the mountains? How populated are the trails - I mean are you going to run into tons of people? Anything you or anyone else that lives there can share is appreciated.
Depends on where you're going to be. VA is a diverse state. The mountains in the south .. around Mt Rogers is prime trail horse riding. We just took a week riding point to point camping along the way. I used to live in N Va, the hunt Jump bunch is very active.
Posted 2005-06-16 1:01 PM (#26684 - in reply to #26662) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Member
Posts: 27 Location: Pink, Oklahoma
We live about an hour west of Virginia Beach near Suffolk.
Virginia has lots of horse stuff for just about every discipline. Near where we live there are two active horse show associations that hold local shows all spring & summer long. There is tons of trail riding in the western part of the state in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have shown at AQHA shows at the Richmond Fairgrounds but don't really know what else goes on up in that area.
I am sure that you will be able to find whatever it is you are interested in doing.
Posted 2005-06-16 2:23 PM (#26690 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Member
Posts: 17
Location: Mountains of NC
If you don't already have it, I would look into USRider.org travel ins. It is like AAA auto club, but is designed for those of us pulling horse trailers.
Oklahoma is a VERY horsey area (I grew up a Kansas cowgirl) - if you are a western rider, you will be happy. I sure miss pulling a trailer along those nice FLAT highways! Mountains are the pits for hauling. Are you planning to take I-40 through Asheville? If so, be prepared for the Old Fort grade just East of us - it's a doozy.
You can get a lot of info about traveling with horses from those Endurance folks who haul all over the place. We had riders here recently from Florida, Texas, MN - go to Endurance.net and ask away on Ridecamp. Very helpful bunch.
Posted 2005-06-16 2:38 PM (#26692 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Member
Posts: 32 Location: Brazil, IN
Traveling with horses doesn't have to be hard. I'm from Indiana and have made trips to Texas a lot showing QHs. Definitely make sure you have health papers and coggins. In some states, like Illinios, you even have to have your vet register your health certificate with the State Board of Animal Health, it's a pain. Make sure the horses have plenty to drink. It's also a good idea to wrap legs or use shipping boots to support legs, standing is hard on them! You may also want to check with different fairgrounds along the way. Sometimes 4-H groups will let you use their facilities at a much cheaper price! Good luck and safe travels!
Posted 2005-06-16 3:23 PM (#26696 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: Palmdale, CA
Looks like everything has been covered, except make sure your horses are up to date on all their vaccinations and any vaccinations particular to the areas you will be traveling through. Ask your vet when he/she comes out for the health certs.
Posted 2005-06-16 8:59 PM (#26717 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Veteran
Posts: 247 Location: NW
IMO, one of the best investments you can make is buying the book "US Stabling Guide". Phone # for it is 800-829-0715 - usually runs around $25. It lists places to stay by state & is invaluble in case you are not able to reach your planned destination & need to find another. I literally have hauled horses from one end of the country & back - east to west & south to north & used this book ALOT. One of my friends just hauled horses out here from MI & she bought the newest one & LOVES it, too. Lots of good suggestions on here for the horses....one I would add is to buy the "all net" hay bags - not the rope type, but the bags, but they are totally the mesh net instead of the solid nylon. Then, shortly before you load up each morning, fill them w/good grass hay & soak them w/water. (with them being the mesh net, they will drain & get air to the hay & not have a pile of water in the bottom of it to mold) It is a help to get moisture in the horses & it also keeps any potential dust down in an already enclosed, potentially dusty environment. (some people do not like to feed hay while hauling - we do simply because it keeps the horses gut working & less chance of impaction). We always carry our own hay w/us so we are not switching types/quality on the road or as soon as we "land" at our destination. Oh, and another website for potential places to stay - or to camp or take a vacation - ck out http://www.horseandmuletrails.com/
Posted 2005-06-21 7:50 AM (#26842 - in reply to #26662) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Hi Lucky,
We live in Fredericksburg, VA currently. We are moving to King George in September. Be careful choosing a place to live with horses here in VA. We have found that some Home owners association can change covenants in horse communities quite easily. Make sure the horse owners are in the majority. I have had a bad experience.
We like to go to Fort Valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You then have access to the George Washington National Forest for trail riding.
The north side of Richmond is Ashland. From here through Northern VA you will find shows of all disciplines. My daughter is getting into Hunter/Jumper and Fox Hunting.
Good Luck with your move and be prepared to sit in traffic on I 95.
Posted 2005-06-21 10:18 AM (#26855 - in reply to #26625) Subject: RE: Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
Location: KY
Great info here. We use a cherry flavored electrolyte powder which helps to disguise the different water. also some folks around here use lemonlime soda pop to flavor water so the diferences aren't so noticeable to the horses. Good luck on your move, and happy trails.
Traveling long distance w/ horses - Horse motels
