Half OT- Bus trip with a horse- Equestrian types please read

[oldmansax]

I am looking for advice & figured SOMEBODY on this board either has done this or knows someone who has.

My daughter's friend bought a horse about 2 years ago. This horse had been a wild mustang, was used in a rodeo, and possibly abused. The owner is thinking about releasing the horse back into the wild in Nevada where it came from. Horse is about 12 years old, has been in captivity for about 10 years and is in good health, BUT, is just not HAPPY. The owners have spared no expense in trying to help the animal to no avail.

Has anyone ever released a horse back into the wild? Is it even legal? Ethical? They are going to have to do something & they don't want to sell it to someone who might lose patience and just abuse the horse again.

Second question: Horse is in Virginia. Assuming we can release the horse, we would just pull the horse trailer behind the bus & take a trip. However, I know the horse would have to be let out of the trailer on the way. I am thinking about 3 to 4 days out. Anybody ever trailered a horse behind a bus? What should I look out for? Would they get sick from diesel exhaust? Any comments welcome.

BTW, don't ask about getting the horse, they are settled on either keeping it or setting it free..

TOM

[luvrbus]

Tom, I can answer 1 question for you the BLM will not let you release the horse back to the wild and it wouldn't survive any way.Some times these mustangs make great horses and then some are like the one you are talking about I have had 4 for the kids over the years and I am happy the grandkids are not intrested in horses. they like buses     Tom, heres a site you and your friend should  take a look at if you haven't already about these horses and they way BLM handles the mustangs     


http://igha.org/blm.html

[Busted Knuckle]

Tom,
Another thought is donating it to a college that has rodeo/equestrian teams. We haul the equestrian team for Murray State & have for the past 4yrs, the University gives these sports very little support/funding. I was talking to some of the girls last yr and they had just been given 2 abused horses by the Animal Control department after being taken from their owners. They girls were ecstatic about it. Most of these girls/students are training to be Vets, Trainers, etc. and are very loving & responsible animal lovers who enjoy the challenge/opportunity to work with animals such as these. Just a thought! FWIW
  BK 

[Kristinsgrandpa]

After my grandaughter saw the movie/cartoon Spirit she wanted to see some wild mustangs, so my daughter got on the internet and found a ranch that had a herd.

They feed and care for them through donations I believe it was in Idaho. The owner probably would take the horse as he gets them when they (blm or someone) have to relocate them.

Try doing a google for wild horses or wild mustangs etc.

Good luck, Ed.

[oldmansax]

Thanks for the replies! I kinda thought there would be problems releasing horses back into the wild. I will check out other options for them.

Now, how about towing the horse trailer? Anyone had any experience transporting a horse that far? I am a little concerned about bus fumes. I guess I could have someone ride in the trailer for a short distance & see what it is like.

Any comments? suggestions?

TOM

[Jeremy]

I know the horse would have to be let out of the trailer on the way. I am thinking about 3 to 4 days out.

I will admit I don't know much about transporting horses, but I've never seen a horse trailer that allows the horse to sleep, or even lie down, whilst on the move. The horse has to remain standing the whole time as the noisy, draughty trailer bumps and sways it's way down the highway - I'm guessing you would need to let the horse out and have a good rest / feed / water every two or three hours, plus a proper night's sleep in a suitable location every night. Anything less would surely be distressing to the animal, and probably illegal too.

Jeremy

[buswarrior]

Hello.

You need to be sure that the exhaust does not get in that trailer. No different than for humans!

Remember, the air currents between the bus and the trailer do NOT make sense to us lay folk , it might look like it shouldn't, but you have to be sure. Under bumper exhausts on buses are a real pain for towing livestock!

Try Google "mustang sanctuary" there are numerous facilities across the continent who provide a supportive setting for horses just like this one.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[luvrbus]

Tom, I will try and answer your question the best I can about the fumes from the bus.  Not knowing what type trailer you have the best type for a long trip is the slant load that way you can load him it any direction to keep the fumes away from him.Most states here in the west have corals for overnight stays in some rest area if the horse loads and unloads easy into a trailer its no problems letting him out but if he doesn't like trailers be prepared trying to get him back in it after spending 10 or 12 hours riding in one  good luck

[skipn]

 I could probably write a book just on the few questions you asked......So I will try and keep this short.

 Releasing back into the wild: Contrary to the idealic concept that an animal is most happy in the wild.
         Life is harsh, demanding and a lot more creul than what we normally would subject an animal to.

 Fact of life is that some mustangs at best make a usable mount and no more. They usually are not
pet material.... dependance on what herd, how old the horse was when the work was started. etc
a lot of variables.

An abused horse will always have issues...As long as the animal is safe around an adult sometimes that is
the best we can hope for.

 Hauling: The debates on this can get more heated than most of our Bnut debates.
            Exhaust..Gas or diesel pick-up or bus it doesn't make a difference all can affect the animals being towed.
             My horse traler is open on the non exhaust side and drop down closed window style on the exhaust side.

          Length of time hauling: Studies have shown that the loading and un-loading part is the most stressful
              for a horse. A lot of hauling advice says to stop every 2 or 3 hours so the horse can stretch their
               legs. For some of us we go longer than that. Stopping at the highway outhouses can get you into
               trouble depending on where you are BTDT.  If you stop every 2 hrs you can lose 300 miles of travel in
               a day real easy. But when ever you stop offer water.

        A horses legs should be wrapped for shipping purposes. For long trips we use polo wraps with no-bow
        pads. (if done wrong you will bow a tendon) For shorter trips we use shipping boots.

        When hauling across country you should have each lay over pre-planned and reservations made for where
        you will be stopping.  Unload the horse,take the wraps off and hand walk it for at least 10 minutes, Make
        sure they drink water! Dehydration will kill a horse faster than anything (or at least large vet bills)


         Just 2 cents for........Good luck to you
         Some decisions are just tuff

       Skip

[oldmansax]

Many thanks to everybody!!!!

This is what's great about this board: even off topic  subjects can be answered!!

I am going to print this thread out & send it to my daughter so the owners can make a decision.

Thanks again!!

TOM

[DrivingMissLazy]

Many thanks to everybody!!!!

This is what's great about this board: even off topic  subjects can be answered!!

I am going to print this thread out & send it to my daughter so the owners can make a decision.

Thanks again!!

TOM

Glad you appreciate it. There are some former members that feel it is not appropriate for a bus board.

Richard

[oldmansax]

I guess I should have said HALF off topic. I do want to do this with the bus if it were to be done! 

TOM

[Fred Mc]

Although  my daughter has horses and hauls them regularily we have never used the bus. I had contemplated it but had planned to take a short trip with someone in the trailer to determine the exhuast issue. The DD puts out so much exhaust that I would be concerned with an accumulation between the bus and trailer. The amonut of crude on the back of most buses points this out.

Fred Mc.