Trailering a pony a long distance?

Question

Im trailering my new pony home in a few days, and hes going to be in the float for about 4 hours. I will of corse be stopping every hour or so to make sure hes ok, but should I give him any water or hay during the journey? or would it be less stressful for him if we just drive straight home?

Answer 1

yes you should give him water and hay. its very hot outside and you dont want him to get dehydrated or heat stroke.  make sure hes safe and comfy and all set for the trip.  if you dont give him water during the drive, make sure that on these hourly stops you will be making to offer him water and hay.  especially water. thats the most important thing.  its very easy to get dehydrated.

good luck!

Answer 2

4 hours is not a long time to trailer.

This is what I would do.

Prior to loading.

Wrap his legs with cotton batting and polos or use shipping boots, if you prefer.

Head bumper if you think it is necessary for him.

Offer him water and tie up a hay net in the trailer.

Load up the pony. He will appreciate the hay and it will keep him busy during the ride.

Half way offer him water, but don't unload him.

Adjust hay net.

Pick out manure

Continue on.

When you reach your destination, be sure the stall is ready for when you unload with water in it.

Enjoy your new pony!

Answer 3

As long as your horse has a haynet in the float to nibble at when he is hungry you should be right. I dont think water is necessary though, as long as you give him a drink before you go. 4 hours isnt really that long if you think about it, just make sure you check on him every hour or so. good luck with him!

Answer 4

Four hours shouldn't be a problem unless he has a history of bad tralering. There are two trains of though on the hay. One, if he is particularly nervous he might choke on hay. Personally I have always put a hay net up and never had trouble with any horse. As far as watering, I give horses water when we stop only. Two hours in your trip you might want to water him and see how he is doing.

Answer 5

if he is good in the trailer, he should be fine for a 4 hour trip but you should still stop half way just to have a strech and check on him.you can give him a hay net to keep him satisfied along the way, though not water cause it might spill every where and it would be a better idea to give him water on the half way stop

good luck with your new pony :)

Answer 6

I would take him home and drive straight thru.  Sometimes when you take a horse/pony out of a trailer, you have a very difficult time getting him back in.

You could put hay in the trailer in a hay bag for him to enjoy on his trip.

Answer 7

You should water your horse before you trailer him and then take a 30 minute rest break to water him again after 2 hours into your 4 hour journey. Most horses will not drink while the trailer is in motion and most horses who are used to trailering long trips can easily go 3 or 4 hours between water breaks but I think you better take a water break rest after 2 hours since you don't know how well your horse can tolerate the stress of trailering. Horses will munch on hay while the trailer is in motion though and so I would recommend that you keep the hay bag full or hang a corner hay bag if the trailer doesn't have one. And since you referred to the horse trailer as a horse "float" I am assuming you are Australian. I suppose it gets a little chilly in the southern region of Australia this time of year and so if you are in a region chilled by the winter down under I think a horse blanket a little more substantial than a light weight nylon blanket would be advisable to protect him from drafts just in case he stress sweats.

Answer 8

Four hours is not a long haul by any stretch of the imagination.  Your pony will be fine, if you have to, you can stop mid way, say two hours to check on him.  If it makes you feel better, offer him water, but most horses refuse it while on the trailer unless they are seasoned travellers and know it is going to be a long day...Your are worrying yourself to death over this little drive down the road.  Put the pony on the trailer, drive off and don't stop till you get to your destination...it will be over before you know it.  I have hauled horses for years, and have gone for 12 hours or more sometimes like 16 (not planned) not a problem, and my horses do not get out of the trailer till they are at the point of destination...too much can happen.

Answer 9

Give him a hay net in the trailer, I don't know what a float is but I'm just gonna guess that it's another word for horse trailer (I'm in the UK). Anyway, yes I would offer water every hour and if it safe to do so, graze/walk him in hand to stretch his legs. This may be stressful for him, it depends what he's like. If you think getting him out will stress him, then just offer water. Don't feed him though as this can induce colic, just the hay. Putting the hay in a small holed haynet will make it last longer and keep him occupied. Good luck :-)

Answer 10

Mitch409 is right! good luck xo

Answer 11

i tihnk you should give him a hay net, and this could help to entice him into the float, too. and yeh chek him like you sed, but on a quiet road.

Answer 12

I would stop every hour and a half and offer him a bucket of water and then use the rest to sponge the pony on the head, belly and back. Give him a haz net with atleast 4 flakes of hay. Give him a treat to keep him satisfied.