Hauling 6 month old colt

[swatts1555]

I have purchased a colt that will be 6 months old when I pick him up. The drive is about 12 hours from my home. How long should I haul him before I stop and get him out and walk around ect. I have never hauled a horse over 3 hours so I really don't know exactly what I should do? I have a place about half way that I can stop and put him in a stall over night, but would really like to make the trip home in one day if it is safe for the colt. Please advise me what would be best.

[ltc4h]

If its only a 12 hour drive, he will be fine.
When you stop for fuel, offer him water-take water from where you pick him up @. Its best not to tie him but have him fairly contained [size depending on your trailer.
Feeding of hay during transport, people have different thoughts. If they eat hay and don't drink enough you can have an impaction colic. If they don't eat during transport, then eat on arrival could cause a stress colic. I usually feed hay and offer water frequently and have had no problems. The longest trip was Mi - Md 21 hours with a weanling.
Don't put shipping wraps on unless he is used to them, and your really good @ it. That long distance they can loosen and shift, which may lead to leg injuries.
He'll be fine.

[BUDDYSGIRL]

I'm a horse motel and most folks will travel for 13 hrs. And most offer hay while transporting.
When they get here we let the horse/horses into the arena to stretch the legs, roll etc...
Then to the stall for fresh water, food . I keep an eye on them every hour or so to be sure they drink at least a 1/2 bucket of water and crap once.
He'll be fine like itch4 said. Good luck.

[ProBullRiderWife]

my longest ride with my horses was when we moved from Ohio to NC. It was supposed to be a 10 hour trip. Due to it POURING rain the ENTIRE way here it turned into almost 24 hours. God bless my horses they did great. We stopped to feed often and let them outta the trailer at one of the rest stops (man did we get looks) but they even behaved perfectly still when we stopped to get a few hours of sleep But that is a trip that I do not wish to do again 2 kids 2 cats a dog and 3 horses AHHHHHHH!!!

[carmor07]

Try putting some pedialite in the colts water too.I gave my filly that went to Tx. a bottle in her water before she left and sent 2 bottles for her on the trip. :wink:

[BUDDYSGIRL]

One group that came thru here used peppermints in the water a week ahead of time so the horses would drink water wherever they were going. Something about the horses not drinking strange water while they traveled.

[bixfarmboy]

I would be certain of the colts handling before getting it out specially around semi's with loud startling air brakes and traffic it could turn into an expensive mistake. My a vice is to be with the colt for an hour or so and walk and trot in a pen but don't over excite this will stimulate a few poops and offer some hay and water for the ride I've tried this and it works a stripped mini basketball in the water bucket will stimulate curiosity when nervous colts travel and they find the water. Sounds funny but it works.

[westmar]

Having hauled all over the U.S. with all ages of equine from newborns and up, I would agree you should not tie the colt-IF-you have an enclosed trailer and the colt has plenty of room. If it is a two horse trailer take the divider out.
I have found it best to leave them in the trailer for such a short trip, getting them out usually upsets the babies and they can be difficult to re-load. Just stopping to re-fuel is generally enough rest for them. Plus if you can haul loose they are able to lay down which is a good thing, it's just like being in a stall but the stall moves. If you can bed your trailer with shavings it helps cushion the ride.
Paste Electrolytes have always worked great for me. You know they get it when you do the paste, it often will make them thirsty-but if not-then at least they will not become de-hydrated. I give it before I load up and again the next day. The paste can be found at your locall feed store or look online at valleyvet.com, or, countrysupply.com.
Good Luck.

[vetjeanneb]

An injection of banamine can go a long way towards preventing 'stress' colic when hauling long distances. Any vet that does horses should have it.