What would you do???

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1985

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Transporting a horse to new yard approx 6 hours away, mostly motorway travel. Stop at services twice, offer water, new haynet, open door for fresh air. Or stop somewhere quiet (if poss) unload, walk around, offer water. any thoughts??? x
 
I have stopped and offered water, but I found that she didn't drink it. She always had hay on board so would happily munch that.

My boy travelled for 3.5 hours when I got him, I didn't stop as he was sweaty and nervous, so just thought I'd get him home.

Unloading is a definate no from me, what happens if you can't get them back in when at a services???
 
Over the course of a 6 hour trip, I would stop 4 times at services just to check on the horse and renew the water and stock up the hay if it was running low and check her over I would never take my horse out of its trailer a big NO NO other than opening the side door and back ramp normally stopping for 20 minutes a time.

Tilly16
 
3 of mine have traveled a good 9 hours from Cornwall to warwickshire (2 were in a trailer and 1 went in a lorry) and we stopped 4 times to offer water. Would never dream of unloading the horses.
 
I would definitely not unload, but would stop and check every couple of hours. I would also soak the net, as this will help reduce dehydration.
 
I wouldn't unload. We have been to england several times and back. We only stopped overnight once to break up a long drive for us. (something like 16hrs and centre would be closed when we got there!).
The other times we just kept driving and offered water every now and then. We also took carrots to give as they have a good deal of moisture in them
When we picked up the big lad from yorkshire and brought him over here, we picked him up in a service station (and yes...we got him without a stitch, not even a headcollar!!) and were talking to the owners (big event riders) and they said on a 32hr trip to Rome they don't stop as it just unsettles the horses.
 
I would just keep going till you get there. Six hours isnt long and you could pop your head in if you have to stop for a wee. So long as there is a haynet and the ride is smooth there should be no need to stop. Ive travelled horses all over europe and oh is a transporter and we find that most horses dont drink till they get to where theyre going and are unloaded.Its usually-pee first then drink in that order. If it was a long haul journey then yes, water would be offered and the horses would do a stopover at a yard on route for the night but six hours isnt that long. I try never to unload on route unless there is a problem as its not worth the risk. Mairi.
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