How long can you tow a trailer for before needing a break?

O

Oliviabuttons98

Member
Joined
14 October 2015
Messages
25
Visit site
So my horse has to go to Newmarket next week and we're taking him in a trailer for numerous reasons. It's about 3and a half hours away from us and I was wondering for how long can you tow before the horse will need a break ? There will be some motorways involved and I don't want him to get too stressed or to get any unnecessary strain on himself ? Thank
 
Give yourself short break at halfway and check horse (inside trailer).....horse should be fine within for entire journey.
 
I think it depends how the horse travels. When we picked our pony up to bring him home he started off really uneasy in the trailer, and we stopped to check him after the first mile, with 130 still to go! He settled down soon after, and as we could see him through the window into the trailer we decided to keep going as long as he looked calm and as happy as he could be. The journey took over 3 hours non-stop, and he arrived calm and happy to explore his new home.
 
Its borderline , Much more and the horse might need a break . But having a break within this time frame merely adds to the journey. Now that is purely from the horses perspective, but he isnt driving! If you need a break ,you take one !Check the traffic news and always have a contingency plan is things go wrong. Check your tyre pressures a few days before . Tyres are the biggest problem of all!!!!!!!!!!
 
I would tow for three and half hours with only one short stop to offer water. Mine are used to travelling long distances though.

Take some carrots to offer incase he refuses water and maybe have one haynet of soaked hay.
 
When we were off eventing we would go 4 hrs in one go. However, this was with a horse who was well used to travel, and would comfortably eat the entire journey.

If your horse is not so used to travel I would have a stop half way, leave on the box but untie for a drink and so he can drain his nose.
 
hullo Red-1your post indicates that you travel your horse(s) tied up in some way.
I have not ever travelled a horse tied within the trailer; I understand that it is important that the horse should be able to lower the head, at will, during the journey.
 
rifruffian said:
hullo Red-1your post indicates that you travel your horse(s) tied up in some way.
I have not ever travelled a horse tied within the trailer; I understand that it is important that the horse should be able to lower the head, at will, during the journey.
Click to expand...

I always tie my horses in a trailer, I wouldnt want him turning round, or getting his head under the breast bar, or worse, trying to clamber over it. I cross-tie if travelling one horse with no partition, and tie to the sides if 2 horses and a partition.
 
I tend to tie my boy in but Losely so he can still move about and lower his head etc to a certain degree obviously the bar at then front of the partition will only allow so much movement . I am mainly worried about him straining anything from standing up for so long without a lot of movement. There will also be motorway traveling involved in the journey
 
Horses do regularly get travelled long distances by trailer to horsepital. Give him soaked hay if he'll eat it, as that will keep him hydrated. A stop half way to offer water and to check him sounds good.

Are you worried about the journey exacerbating an existing condition?

ETA I've jumped to the conclusion that you mean the equine hospital, but you may just mean the town of Newmarket?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top