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RE: [RC] re: [RC] trailer flooring - Mary Ann Spencer - Jim HollandI guess I'm in the minority here, but I stop at LEAST every 3 hours and take my horses off. Trailer loading and unloading should not be "stressful". If it is, IMHO you should practice it more. Both Magic and Sunny enjoy the break, the fresh air, a chance to grab a bite of grass, and look around at all the interesting "stuff". They get treats, scratching/brushing and provide a lot of pleasure to kids who come running out of McDonalds' or wherever to see them, and we get to walk around as well. They eat better, drink better, and once they learn the routine, will wait for a takeoff to pee...and usually do it immediately. We try to pick a big truck stop with a parking area in the back. There is usually a patch of grass, sometimes water, and usually a lot of friendly truckers. While the horse is grazing and stretching his legs, Joan and I take turns going to the bathroom, pick up a coffee, newspaper, etc. We take notes on every trip and remember the good take-off spots for next time. We (and the horses) arrive more relaxed, less stressed, and enjoy the trip. John Lyons once equated a horse trailer with "locking someone in a closet and driving off with it". Except in an emergency, there is no way I'm gonna haul my horses more than a few hours without a take-off break. Sitting in a truck seat for long periods of time is no fun for me and I don't think keeping his balance while standing in a horse trailer for long periods of time is beneficial to the horse. Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic "The Horse" had a price on trailering awhile back. The studies they referred to found that the most stressful aspects of trailering are loading and unloading, so they did not recommend frequent rest stops to 'stretch their legs'. They also advised against shavings due to dust, and suggested straw instead, and recommeded wetting hay fed in the trailer for the same reason. The kitty-litter solution sounds like a good alternative, as some brands have minimal dust. They also advised as much air circulation as possible: the more open, the better, and to tie horses in a position that allows them to lower their heads so they can more easily clear their sinuses.I didn't answer the query by Dyane (I think it was Dyane) about this very subject, but I agree with much of this. The stress of loading and unloading depends a great deal on how well versed your horse is in trailering. If he's a regular globe trotter who goes in and out nonchalantly and who is unflappable about anywhere he happens to find himself, then unloading occasionally has some benefit. If this is not the case, for gosh sakes, leave him in! =-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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