<< Eight hours is way too long if you expect to do a ride the next day...
Also, I try to give my horse a chance to relax in his corral or on a
picket line the night following the ride unless it is a very short trip
home to his pasture (say, 1-1/2 hours or so)
>>
If I plan on entering a ride and the trailer trip is 6-8 hours (or more)
away, I plan to arrive a day earlier (Thursday for Saturday ride)..else, I
see no stress problems from traveling.
Teddy