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Post by bonesmom on Apr 28, 2013 12:20:27 GMT -5
I had mentioned I was moving Bones to my mom's in the spring.  I am moving across the country for grad school and can't afford to take him with me. My mom has a nice little hobby farm with 4 horses (2 old and retired, 2 young and rideable), and she has offered to take him in while I do my schooling. He will basically be hanging out being a horse, getting brushed once a week. When I come to visit, we can go on trail rides, etc. My BIGGEST concern is that the 6 hour van ride, and the change of scenery will be very stressful for him. He has travelled a lot in his day (born in Florida, raced in FL, NY, Philly, and Vancouver, BC), but he has been living at our current boarding stable since he retired (4 and a half years ago). I am taking hay from here, to my mom's, so he has familiar hay. I am also purchasing feed from here, in case the distributor is different, and he needs to gradually change feed. I am also taking 4 huge water jugs full of water from here, my mom's water is hard, and I want to make sure he drinks the water from here...then I will gradually mix with the new water. One of the lady's at the barn has been gossiping and saying she doesn't think he'll make the trip. She is a pessimist and also a control freak. I am already concerned for him, and have taken 9 days off work to go up there with him and be there with him while he settles in. Am I being a worry wart? Is there other things I can do to ease the big change? |
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Post by niaru on Apr 28, 2013 13:04:37 GMT -5
What is WRONG with the gossiping lady? Who would say something like that. [SLAP]
I think you're right on track with the water and gradual change in food.
I've heard that some people give their anxious / nervous horses a tube of Ulcergard for 2 days before, during, and 2 days after the trip, just to be on the safe side.
You could also put him on a gastric supplement or digestive aid for the month of the trip. Can't hurt.
Will you be taking him, or a pro hauler?
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Post by bonesmom on Apr 28, 2013 15:24:56 GMT -5
He's going in a familiar trailer by himself.
6 hrs is a long haul, but he's a smart horse and takes care of himself.
I will definitely look into the Ulcergard.
The gossiping lady does this to everyone, but seriously, if she was concerned for my horse wouldn't she talk to ME??? Wouldn't you express concerns with me about him, rather than gossip? She also has been gossiping about one of the barn member's recent engagement. I am not sad about leaving. I just hope my horse will be alright.
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Post by bonesmom on Apr 28, 2013 15:25:34 GMT -5
Also, some people suggest tranquilizing him, but I am not too sure about that.
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Post by Luci on Apr 28, 2013 15:25:48 GMT -5
Here here! Exactly what Niaru said. Good luck in school! He'll love being a pampered pony at your mom's.
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Post by Pam on Apr 28, 2013 21:16:15 GMT -5
He will be fine! Tell gossip lady to shut the heck up, that she doesn't know what she's talking about! Six hours is really not that long of a haul. Make sure he is well rested and hydrated before you leave. Stop once to offer him water, but don't worry if he doesn't drink any. Many horses won't on such a short trip. Try to remember that one thing that racehorses as a rule handle very well, is change, even after being settled in one place for awhile. I like that you are bringing some of your own hay and feed.
As far as the water, another thing that a lot of people who travel a lot for shows, etc do is to flavor the water. Peppermint extract is very fragrant and usually works well. Some people believe it is the smell of different water, more than the actual taste that turns horses away. I have a tendency to agree with that simply because it usually only takes a few drops in a five gallon bucket to entice them to drink strange water IF you acclimate them to it before you leave. You can start adding the extract a couple weeks before you leave so he's used to the smell, then add it to your mom's water for a little while.
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Post by ZenRider on Apr 28, 2013 22:18:11 GMT -5
Hahaha, barn drama queen, so glad, as far as I know, we don't have one currently at my barn. Would certainly not worry about it. Horses are very adaptable and he'll make friends with his new herd and be just as happy there as he was at the last place, especially as you will be there as he settles. 6 hours is nothing. Sounds like you have all your bases covered, so treat it as a vacation with your horse. ;D
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Post by BoyleHeightsKid on Apr 29, 2013 5:54:47 GMT -5
Hahahaha! I have to agree, gossip lady needs a good slap in the face. What a dimwit!
He will be fine, it will take him a little while to settle in but I wouldn't worry about him. I also wouldn't tranq him unless he doesn't haul well. The suggestion of Ulcergard or something similar is a good one.
Boy traveled from Kentucky to California then back to West VA. Bones will be fine!
Good luck in school and keep in touch!
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Post by Lisa on Apr 29, 2013 8:54:57 GMT -5
I tend to agree with he will be fine. Although I'm the kind to not worry about some things. I never had a horse not want to drink strange water (even well water). but I have had friends that had the hot house horse that were almost bubble wrapped, and they would put Gatorade in the horses water. I also would turn my show horse out, and heard lecture after lecture, about how they would get dinged up. So he is a horse. I wouldn't tranq, but give him lots of hay to keep busy, a couple stops to give water, Banamine in case of colic. Maybe even a stall ball, or one of those treat balls to keep him busy, if he likes those, and im sure he will be fine.
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Post by ZenRider on Apr 29, 2013 9:04:02 GMT -5
Because of the movement of the trailer, I'm not sure a stall ball or toy would be a good idea. Tied up it might just bump him in the face the whole trip.  Flynn loved to ride in the trailer. When I had a trailer with a window I could see in, you could see him looking at things as we drove down the road. He was almost like a dog with the trailer, I think he would have loved to just go for rides in the trailer with no destination necessary.  |
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Post by bonesmom on Apr 29, 2013 18:30:00 GMT -5
He is a wonderful hauler, have never had a problem with him. He's actually quite laid-back, and I've had tons of comments on how chilled he is. He's very bonded to me as well, so I figure with me there, that will help him. I also think he's quite intelligent and takes good care of himself. He is a good water drinker, and he relaxes wherever he goes (unless a herd of "killer" deer go prancing by...long story). He'll have his own in and out stall and paddock next to 2 of my mom's horses, and eventually (as long as they get along), he'll go in with them.
I am not going to tranquilize him. Thanks. I didn't feel comfortable with that idea anyway.
He leaves May 19th, so I have a few more weeks to get everything organized.
One more question: He hates wearing boots, polos, etc., but I was thinking he might need to wear shipping boots. I worry that shipping boots will annoy him. What are your thoughts on that? He's not known for thrashing about in the trailer...
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Post by TeachU2Ride on Apr 29, 2013 19:11:33 GMT -5
Give the tranquilizer to the Gossip Lady.
If he doesn't like them, don't put shipping wraps on. If he's wearing shoes, you might just want to put bell boots on all fours. If there's any reason for him to have to scramble a bit, they'll protect his coronary bands and heels.
Riding in a trailer is like walking, effort-wise. He'll be a little tired, but no big deal.
Where are you going to school?
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Post by bonesmom on Apr 29, 2013 20:37:45 GMT -5
He's barefoot.
I currently live in Vancouver, BC and will be going to school in Toronto, Ontario.
I honestly don't think I can afford the board outside of Toronto, and I won't have time to really see him anyway. My mom is about as trustworthy of a horsewoman than anyone, and that way when I visit her, I can visit him :-)
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Post by ZenRider on Apr 29, 2013 22:03:46 GMT -5
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Post by Pam on Apr 30, 2013 6:24:24 GMT -5
I agree not to use wraps. Lots of professional haulers don't like you to ship with them on just on the off chance that they would come loose. If they let you use anything, it's regular shipping boots rather than wraps. If an owner insists on wraps, the ends have to be pinned and vetwrapped. Bell boots are recommended if two horses are hauled side by side, to prevent them from stepping on each other and damaging the coronary bands as Teach pointed out. Since he's hauling by himself though, I wouldn't even really worry about using those.
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I am moving across the country for grad school and can't afford to take him with me. My mom has a nice little hobby farm with 4 horses (2 old and retired, 2 young and rideable), and she has offered to take him in while I do my schooling. He will basically be hanging out being a horse, getting brushed once a week. When I come to visit, we can go on trail rides, etc.
