One thing I always do is have a small amt of beet pulp soaking on the floor board between stops. You can then put any mash-type ingredients you would normally feed into it, along with some previously chopped hay to make a "stew"..Be sure to put it on the ground for him to eat to encourage him to get his head down.
By the way, if you want a pasture to put him in contact me privately. Also, if you want to do any pre-riding, we can arrange that as well.
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. ~ John Wayne
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> From: parsons@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: [RC] Trailering across country--Tips, advice, etc wanted > Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 08:28:38 -0400 > > I am riding Tevis this year. Unfortunately, I'm in FL so it's one looonnggg haul--3000 miles. Right > now I have the trip broken down to 6 days with overnight stabling stops along the way. Boomer is a > go with the flow kind of horse and not one prone to getting excited or anxious. But I still want to > make the trip as stress free as I can. If all goes as planned, I'll get to Auburn by July 8th so > he'll have plenty of recovery time. > > I plan to stop midway through each day and get him out of the trailer for at least 30 mins. I did > this coming back from a trip to NC--parked at the back of a truck stop and let myself get dragged > around as Boomer explored. He took that stop in stride. He drank when I offered water; I have a > bucket in the trailer for him as well. I don't know if he drinks out of it but it's there and the > water level is lower at the end but that may be due to sloshing. I always keep hay in front of him; > may try wetting small amounts down and refeshing it on the refueling stops. I'm using a 3 horse > slant and tying back the divider between the 2nd and 3rd stall so he has room to move and doesn't > brace on his left hip the entire trip (he's done that with the divider in place). > > I'll be taking the "cooler" route across the states--going NW through the south and picking up I-80 > in Nebraska. I'll be the one in the right lane, driving 60mph to save fuel. Figures I'd be ready > for this adventure when diesel has gone nuts but it won't be cheaper to wait for another year and > there's no guarantee me or my horse will be fit to do it another year. It's only money . . .! > > If you have any tips, advice, etc to pass along that will help Boomer through his long trailer > ride, please send them my way. I'm concerned about ulcers, GI upset, hydration stuff mainly. > > Debbie & Boomer > Tevis bound, 2008 > > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= > > 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!! > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >
