Trailering a horse for 19 hours?

ThatConnemara

ThatConnemara

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Can you trailer a horse for that long? Obviously the journey would be separated into 3 days.
Day 1= 8 hours
Day 2= 8 hours
Day 3= 3 hours
I've read a few articles about health and muscles.
I understand that weight loss and dehydration can happen but that can be easily sorted out. I'm more worried about colic and injuries.
I have informed myself with the basics but has anyone actually done this? Any advice to keep the horse as healthy and stress free as possible?
 
If you’re needing to travel that distance it would probably be better to use a reputable transporter, unless you’re moving from A to B and don’t have to get there in order to start the journey or return. Assuming you’re not thinking about doing this at the moment.
 
Many haul horses vast distances in the states but our roads are very different here and not smooth and straight.
Where are you going to/from as I cannot think of anywhere in England, Scotland and Wales that is that length of time. Eg, travel from Surrey to north of Thurso is 12 hours in a good lorry, which is split over 2 days but would be longer in a trailer, which I really wouldn't do.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Many haul horses vast distances in the states but our roads are very different here and not smooth and straight.
Where are you going to/from as I cannot think of anywhere in England, Scotland and Wales that is that length of time. Eg, travel from Surrey to north of Thurso is 12 hours in a good lorry, which is split over 2 days but would be longer in a trailer, which I really wouldn't do.
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I'm going to be collecting a horse from germany :)
 
Given borders, crossings and everything else going on at the moment, I think I would leave this to one of the companies that transport internationally regularly.

I wouldn't want to find myself with a horse on a trailer at the docks, and unable to get him on a ferry crossing, without any back up.
 
ThatConnemara said:
I'm going to be collecting a horse from germany :)
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A one way trip from Germany (near Düsseldorf) with Parkers International which also took 2 to 3 days, full layerage at ministry approved stables, Eurostar not by ferry and in a large air conditioned balanced sprung lorry with cushioned floors cost me less than £500.

Why on earth would you want to put a horse in a trailer when it costs so little to have it done professionally?
 
Lindylouanne said:
Why on earth would you want to put a horse in a trailer when it costs so little to have it done professionally?
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Yes, get a transporter, the good ones are really excellent and by the time you've factored in fuel, food and overnight accommodation for yourselves and the horse to break up the trip, you will have spent as much as you would on a transporter. And their lorries are lovely and I believe the international ones will sort your paperwork.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
In earlier posts you say you are not in the UK, that you are going to get a pony once you move here, that you and your mum ride together.

I agree with others on your previous threads.
I'm out......
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Lmao, helpful much. Don't come here if you're gonna be rude in the first place. Due to a few issues we can no longer move to the uk so we're planning on getting a horse in autumn
 
Lindylouanne said:
A one way trip from Germany (near Düsseldorf) with Parkers International which also took 2 to 3 days, full layerage at ministry approved stables, Eurostar not by ferry and in a large air conditioned balanced sprung lorry with cushioned floors cost me less than £500.

Why on earth would you want to put a horse in a trailer when it costs so little to have it done professionally?
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That's because I had searched a few company's and saw a few for a lot more then £500..I have to build the stable and arena + fencing which is about £30-40k, then get a good horse £4-5k , I can't pay that much , my budget was initially £30k so I try not to go too far as I also have to pay for food, shavings, tack etc.
But thank you for the suggestions, I'll be sure to check them out x
 
ThatConnemara said:
That's because I had searched a few company's and saw a few for a lot more then £500..I have to build the stable and arena + fencing which is about £30-40k, then get a good horse £4-5k , I can't pay that much , my budget was initially £30k so I try not to go too far as I also have to pay for food, shavings, tack etc.
But thank you for the suggestions, I'll be sure to check them out x
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£500 is a drop in the ocean compared to the ongoing costs of owning a horse, especially at home with the maintenance required.
 
ThatConnemara said:
That's because I had searched a few company's and saw a few for a lot more then £500..I have to build the stable and arena + fencing which is about £30-40k, then get a good horse £4-5k , I can't pay that much , my budget was initially £30k so I try not to go too far as I also have to pay for food, shavings, tack etc.
But thank you for the suggestions, I'll be sure to check them out x
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I would probably look to buy a horse from closer to home then. A budget of £4-5k for a horse would be for a lower-end of the market type, so may not be necessary, or even possible, to buy from an international dealer. If you get an all-round useful type closer to home, you can put the additional transport costs towards the horse, and increase your horse buying budget accordingly.

If you are still set on transporting a horse across Europe, then I'd look at a professional transporter - it will reduce the stress considerably!

.
 
ThatConnemara said:
"Don't come here if you're gonna be rude in the first place".

Useful advice that you don't seem to have taken yourself (also known as the pot/kettle conundrum). Using a professional horse transporter will not only save you money in the long run, not to mention all the hassle, the pros know how to look after horses long haul and are insured so you will be covered if anything does go wrong en route. I have both transported horses myself and used a professional transporter on the Spain-to-Ireland trip on many occasions; I'd always use a pro now.
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ThatConnemara said:
Lmao, helpful much. Don't come here if you're gonna be rude in the first place. Due to a few issues we can no longer move to the uk so we're planning on getting a horse in autumn
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Pot, kettle, sweetie.
Keep to the same story and it's much easier for all, eh?
 
ThatConnemara said:
That's because I had searched a few company's and saw a few for a lot more then £500..I have to build the stable and arena + fencing which is about £30-40k, then get a good horse £4-5k , I can't pay that much , my budget was initially £30k so I try not to go too far as I also have to pay for food, shavings, tack etc.
But thank you for the suggestions, I'll be sure to check them out x
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Are you for real? You’ll need to decide where your priorities lie. It seems you haven’t even found a horse yet!
Maybe best to sort out stabling first, don’t forget horses like companionship so that makes 2.
I’d be looking to buy an established schoolmaster that l could have fun with even without the 30k arena. Best not to sink the ship for a half pence of tar!! As you’ve also mentioned food, tack and shavings l imagine this is something of a ‘wish list’ dream. Good luck anyway, you’ll probably need it.
 
ThatConnemara said:
That's because I had searched a few company's and saw a few for a lot more then £500..I have to build the stable and arena + fencing which is about £30-40k, then get a good horse £4-5k , I can't pay that much , my budget was initially £30k so I try not to go too far as I also have to pay for food, shavings, tack etc.
But thank you for the suggestions, I'll be sure to check them out x
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Not really fair that the horse doesn't get suitable transport for a journey like that because you're reaching out of your resource bracket. Why not just buy a horse in the UK for £4k instead?
 
So the overall budget is "30-40K" for the arena. So you seem happy to give or take the odd few thousand there. Then either 4-5K for the horse so give or take another thousand there....But the £500 tranpport cost - which will actually be a lot less then £500 EXTRA because if you transport yourself you need to pay fuel, ferries, overnight accommodation etc anyway - is 'out of reach'? Plus you haven't even found a horse yet so how do you know the horse you want will be 19 hours (8, 8, 3) away? Not 18 or 20 or 10 or 24???

This thread makes no sense at all. If this is for real (seem unlikely) then don't transport your own horse. Total waste of time, money & effort. Very stressful for you and unfair on the horse.
 
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I have travelled horses a lot consider myself to know what I am doing along with many others on here, but travelling a strange horse across countries for hours and hours no I wouldn't even consider it not even with one if my own horses who I know really well, not only would it be a complete pain in the arse I actually consider it quite a silly thing to do.
 
CJoe said:
NO. Get a transporter or hire a lorry.
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I'm not sure if people here think everyone else is dumb and they're so intelligent or they try to ruin someone's day by being sarcastic. Well, I was thinking of doing that but the cost is high, after speaking to my parents we said it'd be cheaper to trailer her, I asked what you guys think about that , and if it's safe for such a long distance.
 
It's not a dumb question and I don't suppose people thought that at all (I definitely didn't). It's just that the answer to the question is that it would be a lot kinder on the horse to be professionally moved and the amount of money you will save yourself after fuel money, ferry crossing, accommodation, insurance, time off work is very little in comparison to getting a horse professionally transported.
 
Personally I wouldnt do it, there's too many things that could go wrong thst without backup could be a big problem. Breakdowns, flat tyres, rest stops etc.

One thing you also need to give thought to is the crossings. A lot of ferry companies won't take horses in trailers. The ones that will won't allow horse trailers on in bad weather (what will you do if you are delayed a day, two days etc due to bad weather which happens frequently). We have a pending emigration to Europe, so have researched everything very thoroughly.

Have you looked at the channel tunnel? You may want to read the attached link which advises you must use an approved transporter to take your horse (on their wagons) for all crossings. You cant just load your trailer with your horse in it onto the chunnel.

https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/travelling-with-us/travelling-with-your-pet/horse-travel/

Use a transporter.

Ours are all going with John Parkers. As an example our journey is 16 hours and Parkers take three days to do it, overnight stops each night.

We are going much further than you (and have to pass through Germany, so not sure where your 19 hours are calculated from?).
 
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ThatConnemara said:
I'm not sure if people here think everyone else is dumb and they're so intelligent or they try to ruin someone's day by being sarcastic. Well, I was thinking of doing that but the cost is high, after speaking to my parents we said it'd be cheaper to trailer her, I asked what you guys think about that , and if it's safe for such a long distance
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Folks - it looks like this is a child. Can we please be nice? I don't disagree with any of the points but we were all kids once and we all had our fantasies.

OP - you question is a fair one given your clear lack of experience and some of the responses have been a bit harsh. But the response is basically right - don't trailer a horse that distance, use a lorry. If you are crossing borders you need to correct paperwork too - and you need governement approved lay over points. An international transporter can do all that for you so its much easier - and safer for the horse.

And please remember to stay safe online. I doubt at this point anyone could work out who or where you are but just becuase this is a horse forum does not make it safe.
 
[59668] said:
Yes you. You put this.
"
feed recommendations
I totally understand, you've been a big help!? Yes, I will be waiting until the virus is for sure over as it affects equines too. "
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Thingtodotoday - Perhaps just drop this. This is a child and not a debate about who said what needs to be carried on. We all make mistakes and are not all as well informed as others.
 
Said ‘child‘ should follow the terms and rules of the forum, then. Each and every post they make should be run by a parent or guardian first.

From the forum terms and rules.

4.9If under the age of 18 a User will need to obtain a parent or guardian's permission before posting anything onto the Forum. You should never reveal personal information about yourself, such as your name, age, address, telephone number and school.
 
ThatConnemara said:
I'm not sure if people here think everyone else is dumb and they're so intelligent or they try to ruin someone's day by being sarcastic. Well, I was thinking of doing that but the cost is high, after speaking to my parents we said it'd be cheaper to trailer her, I asked what you guys think about that , and if it's safe for such a long distance.
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It would be best if you and your parents did a lot of research about what it would involve. Perhaps you could do the research and show it to them. It may be cheaper but it sounds like a lot of hassle because of the length of the journey and crossing borders. It would be a good idea to tell them about that aspect of it . I've never travelled a horse across borders but the people that have, seem to think it's more hassle than what it's worth for the money you would save.
 
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