Plan to stop every three to four hours to give your horse a short break. There’s no need to unload him, and in fact, unless you can stop at a farm along the way, it’s unsafe to take him off the trailer. If it is a warm day, find a shady place to park the trailer for 10 to 20 minutes to let your horse unbrace his legs and rest. While the trailer is in motion, your horse is constantly shifting his weight and working to stay upright. Letting him rest every four hours allows him to relax his muscles. The amount of travel a horse can handle each day varies by the individual and the situation. As long as you stop for breaks, it is safe to leave a horse loaded in a trailer up to 24 hours. If your trip is longer than 24 hours, including rest stops, pre-arrange a layover stop with a boarding stable halfway through your haul.
The most important consideration, especially in warm weather, is to be sure that your horse stays hydrated. At every stop, or at least every four hours, be sure to offer your horse water. It’s not uncommon for horses to refuse food or water while on the road, but even if he refuses the water, keep offering it at every stop. Although a horse may be thirsty and wants to drink, he may not because the water from the roadside rest stop or gas station smells and tastes different from the water he’s used to. If your horse is finicky, you can travel with water from home to encourage him to drink. Like with most anything dealing with horses, common sense goes a long way in trailering, especially on lengthy trips.
