Re: how far to rides?

[Truman Prevatt <truman.prevatt@netsrq.com>]

At 09:41 PM 4/15/98 EDT, you wrote:
>One must remember when hauling horses long distances that horses have
>different tolerances for hauling, just like people do for extensive
travel.  I
>have been fortunate to own horses that thrive on travel, eat every morsel put
>in front of them, drink well, pee in the trailer, and sleep on the road at
>night.  

Some have described this sport as endurance driving.  As Cindy Bell points
out this takes on special meaning for people in FL - who have to drive
forever to just get to GA (and when you get to GA where the hell are you
-no flames please).  

I am lucky to have real road rangers.  We made Brooksville, FL to Torrey,
Utah in four day.  Four days from hell - but four day.  We rested the
horses for a day and went riding only to have Misty bolt out of a ditch and
buck and take off. My nose yet again mashed against that mare's neck.  She
was probably glad to stretch her legs but no worst for the wear.  

We stop every two hours for a pottie break and to change drives.  If we
need gas we do that to.  The first thing we do is to put water before the
horses.  They will drink.  They always have hay.  While we don't get them
out to stretch their necks we do not tie our horses so they can put their
heads down.  I know I'll probably be told how dangerous this is but it
seems to work for our guys.  

When we drive we drive "milk trucks" as Heidi reccomends.  Cruse control
and a constant speed when at all possible.  

I like to drive like hell and get there a day early - like Thrusday night -
so we can all get a good long rest before a ride.  

This has worked for us with the current horses.  

Truman