Horse question about trailering a horse?

Question

please only answer if you have a clue about this topic. thanks

Can a horse handle 2 days of trailering, 12 hours total including half hour breaks every 2 hours?

Also, can a horse handle a month of traveling, with 2 days of travel (like said above) and 3 days of rest/camping? is that too stressful for the horse?

thanks again.

Answer 1

Sounds like you have it well planned out.

  Depends on your horses - if they are used to being hauled then you should be fine. Some horses will lose condition over long hauls cuz they fret and don't like the confined space.

Hang a hay bag (nets can get caught in halters esp over a long haul) to help them pass the time and keep their bodies running "normal".

Be sure they drink at the rest stops.

**Before you go - Make SURE they will drink from whatever bucket/trough you decide to take - also be sure they will drink "strange" water. One of my mares will NOT drink off property - we call her Barbie.

Drive properly...no turns on two wheels...no sudden stops - ya I know you know...but somebody else might not.

I envy you going on what sounds like a great trip!!



  

Answer 2

as long as you have breaks, and the horse has access to fresh water when you have brakes (and is fed during some of the brakes) it should be ok.  

Answer 3

As long as you have breaks for the horse it should be fine. I traveled about 5 hours with horses in a trailer and gave a break every 2 hours it was fine. My friend traveled from NC to TX and the horses weren't stressed. I'm sure they will be fine.

Answer 4

When I haul from WY to Las Vegas it is a 12 hour drive. I only stop 2 times. One time every 6 hours. Some people may say different but think about it, the big haulers don't stop every 2 hours. I stop  every 6 or so.

Answer 5

Sounds like you have a good plan. I know that in my state, it is the law to stop every so many hours when hauling livestock, and I don't think it is as strict as every 2 hours, so you should be fine. Have fun!

Answer 6

As long as they have fresh water,food and decent amount of time breaks , and its well planned which is sounds like it is, you horses will adjust to this change.

Answer 7

They should be fine. Just stop every 4-5 hours, stopping every 2 hours you will never get anywhere! Always be sure to have fresh water for them, and provide some hay if you can.

Have fun!  

Answer 8

i have hauled for as long as 16 hours and never got a horse out of the trailer, nor had any breaks other than when stopping for fuel or feeding time.  The horses have done fine over the years.  I do not feed unless I am stopped, and they  get some hay to munch on when not moving.  I do offer water but they don't often drink when in the trailer, some of the more seasoned horses may but I don't fret if they are not drinking.  One rule of the road should be never take a horse out of the trailer before you get to your destination..there is too much that can go wrong when doing this.  Unless there is a sick or injured horse,leave them on.  Stopping every 2 hours is a waste of time, you will never get there...like I said stop when you need fuel, or if you need a potty break or want to stop to get something to eat...the horse gets a break when you do.  The longest journey of continuous hauling that I had was a two week haul on the road every day for about 8 hours more or less each day and the two horses that I was hauling did fine.  Last year I hauled my 3 year old around for 7 weeks with stops here and there for riding and camping and he did great, he got no special treatment on the trailer other that loading and unloading, it was new to him.  Hope this helps, of course there are exceptions to every rule, some horses just are not good travellers, and you should know what your horse can handle and what he cannot handle before you ever leave your barn,