Any suggestions on trailering horses in 20 to 30 degree weather?
We have a need to move a new horse to are barn this weekend. It will be about an 11/2 hour trip. Temps are supposed to be in the mid 20's. Our trailer is fully enclosed. Is this a good idea? We plan on putting a blanket on him before the move.
Posted 2012-01-19 5:48 PM (#140134 - in reply to #140132) Subject: RE: Transporting Horse's
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
With a fully enclosed trailer, I would have a vent cracked opposite of his head, and a small crack on a window at the rear, and no blanket.... I have hauled at 22 below zero, this way, with no shivering etc. As a matter of fact, their hair tended to flatten a bit in being plenty warm. Good luck with whatever you need to do...
Posted 2012-01-20 8:57 AM (#140141 - in reply to #140132) Subject: RE: Transporting Horse's
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
I have also hauled in cold weather. The horse isn't just standing there doing nothing. They are constantly balancing and shifting which does create body heat. I might toss on a light sheet but other than that I don't do anything special.
Posted 2012-01-20 6:35 PM (#140159 - in reply to #140132) Subject: RE: Transporting Horse's
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
At those temps, forget the blanket and the sheet. Horse's hair does a much better job all by themself. Blankets and sheet will make them colder. Some hay to munch on is a good idea. If it's just one horse and you can fasten the partitions open, I'd haul him without tying. Let him move around.
And most important lots of ventilation. More than you'd think they'd need. Last thing you want is for him to get too hot. With winter hair and totally enclosed it's easy to get them too hot.
Posted 2012-01-20 6:43 PM (#140160 - in reply to #140134) Subject: RE: Transporting Horse's
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
Continued:
Last winter I brought 4 horses back from Canada. -30 was the warmest I saw until we got into the states. We traveled 5 days in total. 2 of them at about -30 F. Lots of hay, lots of ventilation, no blankets, they were just fine. In fact, I had to give them more ventilation than when I started. I got them out once a day and exercised as long as I could stand it. I got cold first. They stayed in the trailer the rest of the time. Every time I stopped for fuel, I turned the engine off. One night on the way back it was -40 actual and I left the truck running for about 4 hours while I got some shut eye. When it is that cold hay is the most important element. Hardly any horse ever needs a blanket. If they are healthy horses they never need a blanket.
Posted 2012-01-23 5:49 AM (#140219 - in reply to #140132) Subject: RE: Transporting Horse's
Regular
Posts: 88
Thanks to all!
We made the trip yesterday(Sunday). We had no problems at all with the horse. Had fun turning around with truck and trailer at the barn where he was at. Snow, small area, and OEM tires. Not much traction. Replacing tires in spring. Anyone ever spin all four tires while sliding with trailer attached. Lots of fun! LOL!
Posted 2012-01-29 10:42 AM (#140371 - in reply to #140132) Subject: RE: Transporting Horse's
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
Just reading your post and glad you and the horse had a safe trip. When we first started trailering long distance, I did a lot of research on the topic. Since then we've safely hauled in both frigid (low teens) and hot (mid 90's) on 12-14 hr. drives in a single period over several days to our destinations. Ventilation is the key word in both conditions. Always provide air flow even on frigid days. Leave the 2-way top vents open to the back so the airflow isn't blowing directly down on the horse. I open windows on the drop-downs but don't "drop them". If your drop-downs don't have screens be sure to put a fly mask on your horse to protect the eyes from any rocks or debris that might flip in the window.
Don't feed your horse his morning ration. I do use a probiotic each morning we travel. I keep a hay bag filled and offer water at each fuel stop; however, none of my horses drink enroute. One of mine never ate his hay either except for nibbles when we stopped.
We try not to travel more than 12 hours/day and always use overnight stables to allow the horses a good rest and time to stretch their legs. We use www.horsetrip.com and www.horsemotel.com as resources. We've had nothing but very positive experiences with the many places we've stayed.
I know this is a lot more than you asked for, but maybe someone can benefit from our experience over the years. We've been so fortunate to be able to head out to faraway places to ride, and I hope others can share the joy.
Posted 2012-01-29 1:21 PM (#140373 - in reply to #140132) Subject: RE: Transporting Horse's
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Kansas
Saw a horse trailered in an open stock trailer from Amarillo to Tulsa about a 7 hour ride in 30 degree weather. They did blanket the horse and horse did fine. Horse was used to being outside and did have long hair. Don't know if I would recommend this but didn't have any other solution for trailering.
Posted 2012-01-29 3:40 PM (#140375 - in reply to #140132) Subject: RE: Transporting Horse's
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
Years ago a friend and I hauled our two horses to an arena an hour and a half away in her open stock trailer with temps in the mid teens. We had winter blankets on them and, of course cooled them out well before our return trip home. They did fine. Her husband eventually put removable plexiglass panels on the sides of her trailer. She's been safely hauling her horses in that trailer for years now.
I applaud docgj for doing the homework and also this forum for providing a means to exchange of information!
Transporting Horse's
