Re: [RC] Trailering with a loose box - Marirose Six
I have hauled 20-24 hours straight thru before, so
it can be done. I can't remember ever having dividers for those hauls. The
biggest thing is to give them sloppy food/carrots every time you stop for fuel,
potty,rest, etc. Hang the food in a bucket for them or WET hay on the floor. My
horses/mules will sometimes get sick of the same slop after a few feeds so to
keep them eating, I'll change it up some--wet hay cubes once, beet pulp next (w/
or w/o a little grain for flavor)(in fact, next time I'm going to try someome's
idea of adding a little apple juice for flavor). Whenever I've fed the wet hay
on the floor, I've put some water in that hanging bucket. Some is maybe drank,
most is probably spilled-that just adds more wet to the hay :o). The main thing
is to be checking on your horse a lot. Don't panic if she's not eating all her
food or drinking much if her attitude is good. She probably won't drink much
plain water if she eats any of the sloppy food. Oh, make sure she likes slop
ahead of time, you don't want that to be the reason she doesn't eat. Also, I
will usually electrolyte a day or two before leaving so as to 'tank up' but not
the day I leave or while travelling. Anyhow, that's how I've done it & it's
worked for me.
Another question about long
distance hauling, I am considering taking out the middle panel in my trailer
and leaving my mare free in it ( so she is in a box stall type situation)
while we travel 5oo miles, however the whole idea seems so foreign to
me, I keep thinking that if the brakes go on suddenly or we have to swerve
that she has nothing to "support' herself with - however if she is free she
can turn around etc... What do long distance haulers do?? Chrystal :-)
