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Cold Weather Hauling

by Shack & Sandy Shacklett

As long as you are prepared, hauling horses during the winter does not have to be a nerve-racking experience. There is a difference between making short trips and long trips, hauling at 20° above or 50° below. It has and will continue to be done successfully with the proper equipment and knowledge.

 

No matter what the weather, or how long the distance, certain safety precautions must be taken. The trailer has to be in good repair, the floors, doors, latches, lights, brakes, etc. The vehicle you are using to tow with also has to be in good working order, check the fluids, hitch mounts, etc. This includes being wired to pull a trailer and that wiring has to be compatible with that specific trailer. This is not just important for the lights, but for the brakes as well.

 

It is never recommended that you pull a trailer without brakes and even more so if the roads are slick. Even if you have good brakes on your towing vehicle you still need brakes on the trailer. The brakes usually have a modular brake unit inside the cab of the truck mounted under the dash within reach of the driver. This unit is used to adjust the braking of the trailer. The trailer brakes should be adjusted to start working just before your towing vehicle brakes are applied. This will keep your trailer from coming in front of the vehicle on slippery roads. You can also use this unit to apply the brakes on the trailer without using the brakes on your vehicle. This can be beneficial if you are going down a hill and want to slow down a little, but don’t want to apply the vehicle brakes. Remember, don’t lock up your brakes, apply them with a pumping action.

 

Should you use studs on your horse trailer? That question is best answered by you. What is the level of your driving skill pulling a trailer during the winter? How often are you going to be pulling the horse trailer? And what are the conditions of the road? Most of the people I know don’t use studded tires on their trailers, but that is not to say you shouldn’t if the conditions warrant it.

 

Whether you choose to use studs or not it is a good idea to take chains with you for both the truck and trailer. Chains are preferred over cable chain combinations. Chains have more strength, more mass for to ‘bite’ with and do not tend to roll under the tires like cable will.

 

If the temperatures are not extreme or you are making a short trip (hours, not days) a stock type trailer with open sides can be used. For colder temperatures and longer distances the open spaces may need to be covered or a fully enclosed horse trailer should be used. A certain amount of ventilation is necessary. With the fully enclosed trailer you will have to open vents or windows. In both cases you must consider the wind chill factor. For example: if the temperature outside is 20° above and the wind is 40 mph the relative temperature would be -21°. If you took the same wind speed, 40 mph, and decreased the temperature to -20°, the wind chill factor would be -85°.

 

For loading and unloading on packed snow or icy driveways it is a good idea to sprinkle something to help improve the footing. Sand and cat litter can be used to improve traction. Sawdust usually doesn’t’ stick to slick surfaces, but if mixed with a little manure it will work. If you have a ramp on the trailer this won’t be needed unless your ramp is slippery, then you can sprinkle this material on the ramp.

 

Once you are loaded and on the way you need to practice standard icy-road driving techniques. Slow down, when using the brakes use a pumping motion and give yourself plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. They can stop a lot quicker than you, so you need the extra room. The faster you are traveling the more space you will need.

 

For long distance cold weather trips you need to make additional preparations and take extra gear for yourself and the horses. These extra steps could mean the difference between survival and death for both yourself and the horses in case of extreme weather. What is extreme weather? If you travel the Alcan Highway from November to March there is a possibility of hitting -50°, and that is the ambient temperature. If you are not prepared this could be killer weather. The good news is that you can usually drive through these temperatures and reach considerably warmer weather, maybe 20° or so, in a day or two.

 

It is a good idea to bring your cell phone, but keep in mind that when traveling through parts of Alaska and Canada you will be out of range. This is one reason you should plan your trip in advance and call the locations you plan on staying overnight to make sure they are open and will have room. Quite a few places close for the winter along the Alcan. Take emergency phone numbers and a copy of the “Guide To The Alaska Horse Community.” The Guide has phone numbers and locations of places to stay in Alaska and Canada in case you need to find alternative places to stay or maybe need some other type of help.

 

Most of the extra gear you should bring will be cold weather gear, or more aptly, Arctic gear. Your outerwear, including your boots should be rated for -50°. It is difficult at best to be feeding, watering, loading and unloading horses during extreme cold weather, it is even more so without proper clothing. A good hat and gloves are a must. You should also consider taking some of warming packets, the kind that when activated create heat. These would be helpful in case you had to do some work without your gloves, you would be able to warm up your hands quickly. You should be warm enough to be comfortable while doing the outdoor chores. Taking care of yourself will allow you to make decisions that are not influenced by your discomfort or safety. You will also be prepared in case of a flat tire or other emergency.

 

When it comes to the horses, it is best to be over cautions rather than unprepared. During cold weather a blanket and hood might be needed, but in the case of extreme cold you might consider a double blanket and hood. While traveling the horses are ‘on the muscle’ and creating body heat, while stopped they are at rest and their body temperature will be lower. You could keep one blanket on while moving and put the second blanket on when you unload for the night. You need to keep the horse warm, but overheating and sweating can be extremely detrimental. If you have the option you can use it as needed, if you don’t bring the blankets you won’t have the option.

 

It has happened that for one reason or another the horses have had to stay in the trailer overnight. As long as they have adequate food and water they should be fine, this may be a problem with a stock trailer where you might not have access to each horse. The horse’s body heat will keep the trailer fairly comfortable and this would be preferable to having them out ‘in the weather’ during extreme cold. If this happens you have to watch for a build up of moisture. It can build up so much on the inside of the trailer that the roof will rain and getting wet in extreme cold should be avoided. Excess moisture can also cause respiratory problems.

 

Recommended practices to reduce the risk of respiratory disease during long distance trips include frequent stops, every six to eight hours. Unloading at least once in a 24-hour period, fed, watered and encouraged to lower their head. The quality of the hay is of utmost importance. It should not be dusty or have small leaves that would be easily inhaled. Vaccinations are important in preventing influenza and rhinopneumonitis. They should be current within 10 to 14 days of embarking on the trip.

 

Hauling horses can be traumatic for horses and humans alike. Taking precautions and making preparations will help ensure a positive outcome. The importance of taking added precautions and making the necessary preparations are amplified when hauling during extreme cold weather. The better prepared you are the more likely you and the horses will arrive in great shape.

 

Although Shack and Sandy Shacklett no longer haul professionally, they have in the past, summer and winter, long and short distances. One trip involved hauling a mare from Tampa Florida to Alaska in February and another hauling horses from southern California and Nevada in January, both trips were successful.