Moving Home & Horse - long journey - any tips

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silverstar

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Im moving home and horsey soon and its going to be a long journey of about 4 hours. I've never travelled my horse for that length of time before.

I need some tips.

Should I put some shavings in the horsebox. Should I unload him every few hours to have a wee/get some grass (he wont wee in the box). How often would I feed him? Bearing in mind he'll have adlib haylage & a licket.

Thanks
 
if thats a lorry travelling time of 4 hours I would probably just stop half way and offer water. I used to regularly travel 2-3 hour journeys with no breaks, and when we did 6 hrs to lincoln, just stopped twice for water and check horse was still complete with four legs, head and tail
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My horse has done up to 16hour trips and to be honest for 4 hours I wouldn't worry to much about stopping for grass etc - proberly just water. Putting shavings down will make it easier for you to muck out at the end if it has the raised type of rubber matting in it.

Good luck on your move
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I wouldn't stop and unload on your journey otherwise you may unsettle the horse. I'd pull over for a break after 2 hours, offer horse some water, check to make sure all is well and then quickly get back on your way. I wouldn't class this is a long journey although it may be to you. I'm sure your horse will be absolutely fine so try not to worry about it.
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Take someone with you. I've done a similar move, and it was the worst white knuckle ride I ever had. Only her second time in a lorry. I had my mum following in my car as I borrowed a box for the trip. Put some bedding (hemcore I think) , and old YO gave me a couple of bales of hay to take with me to mix with local hay.
 
Thanks everyone. I've got some shavings so going to put that down but I'm worried he wont stale as he normally doesnt in the horsebox (its a 3.5 ton rear facing). I'll make sure theres some water for him too but again hes fussy about drinking water when hes out and about and not in his stable.
 
If he's fussy - I wouldn't worry to much at all - it is a relatively short journey as Tia said and he'll be fine! Lots of polos for his new home and Kalms for you!

Def take someone with you though I've done a over nighter on my own and spent most of it in tears! (I'm so grown up
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I regularly travel my horse between east sussex and lincoln which takes approx. 5 hours, I stop halfway in cambridge services to check him and offer water (which he never drinks!), he also won't wee in the lorry despite the floor having rubber matting with a covering of megazorb. I then make sure he has a dose of electrolytes on arrival in case he has lost any minerals etc! I wouldn't unload just on the off chance he won't go back in, in 4hours he shouldn't need a feed if he's got haylage.
 
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