On the straight and narrow...

Narrow roads seems to be the rule.  It appears that TX is one of the only states to have wide shoulders.  Many of the other states provide no pavement beyond the width of the lane.  This was especially exciting at night on a two-way road I shared with a huge number of cattle trucks.

Matching road beds to bridges appears to be a big challenge.  Patches placed where road meets bridge usually crumble after a short time, leaving tooth-rattling bumps.  When I first encountered this stretch of mismatched bridges, there was a warning sign “Bump” with an arrow pointing down.  These signs appeared for a couple more bridges, then stopped.  Must have run out of “Bump” signs.

Rough roads contribute a great deal of stress to horses on board the trailer.  Rattles, squeaks, bumps and jolts are all contributors, along with trailer floor/road vibration.  Even air ride suspensions have a limit!  Bad roads call for more rest stops.  Imagine the quiet in the trailer without the road noise and vibration…now the horses can rest, eat and drink without these annoyances.  The trip may take a bit longer, but the rest along the way makes it much more comfortable.

The best advice is plan ahead and don’t be in a hurry.  A well-timed stop somewhere along the road gives everyone a chance to recharge.  The importance of stopping for fifteen or twenty minutes to rest cannot be overemphasized.  Get out, walk around, water horses, walk the dog, check horses’ attitudes and general condition.  Then close your eyes, take a power nap and get ready for the next dose of rough roads.  That’s why they’re called rest stops.

Not only are rough, dilapidated roads hard on horses, but equipment suffers, as well.  Tires are challenged to withstand the pot holes and hazards; suspensions are pushed to the limit and rattles seem to crop up instantaneously.  Routine equipment maintenance becomes more expensive, and costs per mile increase.

We’ll deal with the aging highway system where necessary; some states’ roads are worse than others and the economic climate does not provide impetus to restore them.  Roads are somewhat less crowded, but this does not decrease the need for a new, smooth, well-maintained road and highway system.  The horses we’re hauling will appreciate it.

Now, go hug your horse!

Here’s a sampling of the fabulous horses Glenn raises, along with a view from the southern ridge of the ranch…you can see all the way to South Dakota!

Horses of the Dittus Ranch

Up early the next morning, we explored seemingly endless trails, stepped our horses into the lapping water of the lake, watched herons, egrets and circling vultures; scared up a deer and generally enjoyed the quiet cadence of our horses.  Our dogs dutifully followed with their noses to the ground searching the new, wild scents.  We spent several hours riding through the stands of cottonwood trees, across stretches of scrub bushes and into the cool, brackish water.

So, while riding quietly, I think of others not nearly as fortunate as I am at this moment…those who have life issues, health challenges, bad marriages, good for nothing kids, are deep in debt, hate their job, hate their spouse.  Whew!  I say a prayer for those.  Yes, I’d have to say neither Melissa, nor I have any complaints.  At this moment, life is good!

And, we didn’t even touch the entire maze of trails that are laid out at Proctor Lake.  That’s for another day – we’ll be back!

The temperature inside of a closed horse trailer can easily soar to well over 100 degrees.  Just as you would not leave your child or dog in a closed car, a closed horse trailer can be just as deadly.

While trailering down the road, horses are constantly readjusting and balancing through stops, turns, curves and acceleration.  Such conditions can quickly lead to stress, fatigue, dangerous overheating and dehydration.

As you travel in hot weather, take precautions to ensure your horses stay as cool as possible on the road.  Common sense is your best friend.  Short of an air conditioned horse trailer, following are a few suggestions to help make your hot weather trip uneventful:

• Plan your route and stops.
• Try to travel during the cool part of the early morning or evening/night hours.
• Open trailer windows and vents. But make sure window nets and/or bars are in place so the horse isn’t tempted to poke its head out.  A fly mask will protect its face and eyes from flying debris and bugs.
• Fans in the horse compartment can be helpful in moving the air if one happens to get stuck in traffic or other unavoidable stops.  Anything you can do to get more air moving around the horses is helpful, even if you’re moving 95 degree air, it’s better than nothing.
• Do not put sheets, coolers or fly scrims on traveling horses.  That’s a sure guarantee of overheating.
• Wrapping legs in heavy bandages can also lead to overheating.  Lighter shipping boots are preferable, but you may want to ship with just bell boots to protect coronary bands.
• At different points of the trip, turn off the air conditioning in the cab and open your window or vent.  If the air temperature is more than you can bear, it is for the trailer passengers, too.  Consider finding a safe, fenced place to off load where there’s shade and water (NEVER at an interstate rest area!)
• When you stop to rest, without unloading, park in the shade and open doors (if it can be done safely, without a horse attempting an escape).  Carry water from home, if possible. Offer water at all stops, several times, and again before you set off.
• Once you’ve arrived at your destination, off load and offer more water as soon as you can.  Hose off feet and legs first, pushing the heat up through the top of the body, as opposed to starting at the top and moving down.

Our horses depend on us for their safety and comfort.  Don’t let them down!

Now, go hug your horse!

Thanks, Larry!

“Last week I set up the blogging software for a friend of mine who’s in the horse transporting business. She’s got her blog going now, and if you’re a horse owner, I recommend you read it. Kate cares (and knows) more about horses than anyone else I know and her attitudes and approach to transporting other folks’ horses is exemplary. If I had a horse and needed to get it from Point A to Point B, I’d make sure Kate is the one who took it there.”

By the way, check out Larry’s website – Rebel Wolf Online, an eclectic collection of solar off-grid, ham radio, storm-chasin’ news and information.

This is where I – as a horse owner – step into your boots.   Following are a few brief thoughts and considerations on transporting:

• Transporting is much more that merely pulling a trailer down the road. From the moment that horse steps on my trailer, my thoughts are on its comfort.  Stress of a long haul can cause issues.  Only years of experience around horses will give one the ability to read and recognize problems as they may arise, such as dehydration (long periods without water), discomfort (colicky), distress (sweaty and nervous) or disease (elevated temp, mucous).  Additionally, smooth, common sense driving is paramount to providing a comfortable ride for the trailer occupants.  The driver should be looking far ahead, watching for brake lights, signals, erratic drivers or other hazards.
• What can ensure a horses’ comfort? There are good travelers and not such good ones.  A variety of scenarios can make a horse uncomfortable:  too hot, little or no ventilation, rattles and noise and rough roads are but a few.  A well-ventilated trailer is imperative.  Smooth acceleration and braking provides a secure and tolerable ride for the horse.  One should avoid quick acceleration or slamming on brakes.  Throwing horses around in the trailer is a sure fire way to make them resent being hauled.  I’ve determined that driving in stop and go traffic is the most fatiguing for horses – it is for me.  Constant acceleration and braking takes its toll.  Driving curvy mountain roads, as well, can be a significant workout for trailered horses.   This should be a positive experience for all involved, especially the horse.
• Box stall vs. slot? Commercial transporters that offer a box stall are providing a seemingly attractive upgrade.  While offering more room for the horse to move around or lie down, a box stall eliminates any sort of security and support for the horse against turns, braking and acceleration.  Take a ride in your trailer (no, don’t) and see if you can ride without holding on or leaning against the wall.  Likewise, a horse should have something to lean against.  Therefore, in my estimation, a slot stall provides a more secure ride, as long as it’s large enough for him/her to stretch out to pee.
• Feed and water. It’s a good idea to provide horses something to occupy their time while in transit.  If a deck of cards isn’t available, eating seems to fill the bill pretty well.  A bag of a horse’s normal hay (don’t suddenly change its diet) can be provided and will probably be happily munched on.  Grain or pellets shouldn’t be fed on the road as it may cause choke.   Water should be offered at each stop, several times.  Many horses aren’t interested in odd tasting water, so I add electrolytes or bring water from home.  (Adding Mountain Dew, electrolytes or KoolAid to the horse’s normal water, beginning several weeks prior to hauling, can help mask strange water taste.)  However, persistently offering water will usually pay off, but there are those that will continue to refuse.
• To tie or not to tie. A horse should be able to put its head down to clear nasal and esophageal passages.  This is one reason I don’t use a trailer with mangers.  If tied too loose it’s an opportunity for a foot over the rope.  So, a free head usually is a better choice, unless they can get turned around in the slot stall.  However, if tied, the ideal length would be about two times the length of its head.  If you choose to utilize a box stall, tying would defeat the purpose.
• Notes on equipment. A clean, well-maintained trailer cannot be overemphasized!  Commercial transport trailers see a variety of horses leaving behind sneezed-on screens, feeders and walls (yuk).  After the trailer is used, it should be thoroughly cleaned, power washed and disinfected.  At regular intervals, the entire rig should be inspected; brakes, lights, wheel bearings, tires should be looked at regularly; checking for damage and sharp edges in the trailer should be done after each trip.  You, as a horse owner, should likewise, inspect the condition of the trailer, noting any hazards you may observe, to the hauler.
• On long trips, how often should horses be rested? Frequent rest stops are encouraged.  Stopping the trailer stops the vibration that can lead to stress, both mental and physical.  When the trailer is moving, the horse’s muscles are in constant use for balance, leaning into turns, stops or acceleration.   Rest for the horse comes in the form of stopping the motion of the trailer; taking a break from moving every 1.5 to 2 hours gives the horse time to relax.  The route should be planned within a time/distance frame of 10-12 hours, or 500-600 miles.  With plenty of rest stops, a horse can be aboard the trailer for quite some time.   There are many variables such as age, physical condition and overall health that enter into the equation of time/distance.  Very young and very old horses should be monitored closely for signs of fatigue, distress or dehydration.  If your passenger’s hind foot is resting and its demeanor relaxed when you check in at each rest stop, you know you’ve got a happy passenger.  The point is to keep it that way.
• When should the horse be off-loaded? Preferably, it should be at the end of the daily leg of the trip or at the destination.  Off-loading should be planned well in advance, as it presents a complete set of new problems.   The horse may not load up again, or it may get spooked and get loose.  Off-loading should be done only in a contained, safe facility – NEVER off-load at an interstate rest area!  (I’ve seen it done!)
• Where shall I stop at night? This is where planning and calling ahead are important.  Estimate where and when you’ll be reaching your day’s destination. There’s a plethora of different facilities where one can stop with a horse for the night.  Horse motels are scattered throughout the US.  The website I use is HorseTrip, which lists overnight horse motels by state.   Other alternatives are county fairgrounds or show facilities.
• What should it cost? Cost should not be your only consideration.  There are variables that enter into the final fee, in addition to a per-mile rate.  Do you want to send your horse via mass transit or by taxi?  A cheap trip may mean your horse in on board the trailer longer than necessary since the transporter is picking and delivering other horses before it reaches your destination – kinda like a bus.  Direct routes and door-to-door routes will be more expensive, but your horse will be fresher, less stressed, after a more direct trip – kinda like a taxi.  An efficient route, knowledgeable, compassionate personnel and indulgent treatment are worth the extra little expense, if for nothing more than your peace of mind.  Especially if your horse happily loads in a trailer again.
• Negotiation footnote. If you’re buying or selling a horse, your negotiations could include one or the other party picking up or splitting the transport fee as part of the sale price.   Could mean the difference in the sale.

Now, go hug your horse!

Will provide transport for horses attending clinics throughout the western and south western U.S.

Please let me know how I can help get your horse to its destination.  If I am not available to transport, I have a great network of resources to get the job done.

Read about my upcoming transports.   If none of the posted transports meet your needs, call me.  I’ll work with your logistics and schedule.