Planning Long-Distance Horse Floating Trips: A Guide for Safe, Smooth Travel

Building on the Comprehensive Guide

The previous post on floating your horse long distances—whether for clinics, competitions, or relocation—requires more than just hitching up and hitting the road. It’s a logistical dance of route planning, rest stops, hydration, and safety checks. Here’s how to make the journey as comfortable and stress-free as possible for both horse and human.

🗺️ Map Out Your Route Thoughtfully

Before you leave, plan your route with these essentials in mind:

• Petrol stations near public toilets for human comfort

• Grassy areas nearby for horses to pick at during rest stops (if you choose to unload)

• Access to drinking water—either taps or refill stations

• Safe parking for floats with enough space to unload if needed

Use Google Maps in satellite mode or apps like Wikicamps (Australia) to identify and mark potential stopovers. Showgrounds, large service stations, and rural rest areas often tick all the boxes.

Google Maps Satellite View is under the "Layers" section

Tips on Route Planning

• Use Google maps to view your entire route from horse home location to your destination

• Look at towns around the break intervals you need and identify good stopping points

• Maybe even try the AI functions to help find spots for you (but as this is new, double check the provided solutions)

• Add the addresses of the stops to your phone for back-up

• Add the stops into your mapped route, and print or use in the in-car GPS

  • Noting, sometimes in Australia you will lose phone reception so ensure you have a back-up if the GPS signal is lost!

  • Take a screenshot of the chosen, final, route on your phone and saving it as a local image is a good way to go too! (Send to any human buddies travelling with you too!)

⏱️ Break Intervals and Duration

Horses need regular breaks to stay hydrated, relaxed, and physically comfortable. Here’s a general guideline:

• Every 2–3 hours: Stop for 20–30 minutes

• Midday meal stop: Allow 45–60 minutes

• Evening stop (if overnighting): 1–2 hours or stable/yard/paddock rest overnight

If the trip exceeds 6 hours, consider unloading at a safe location (e.g., showground or horse BnB) for a longer rest.

🐴 What to Do During Stops

At each stop, check in with both horse and human:

For Horses:

• Offer fresh drinking water in clean buckets

• Let them graze if safe and permitted

• Check for signs of stress, overheating, or dehydration

• Inspect floating boots, rugs, and halters for fit and comfort

• Look for anything that may have come loose or shifted in the float

• Clean out any poop from the float and dispose of appropriately (not just fling/leave on the ground)

For Humans:

• Take a toilet break

• Stretch your legs and hydrate

• Grab a snack or meal

• Check your float and towing vehicle (tyres, hitch, lights)

🧰 Safety Checklist at Each Stop

• ✅ Float ventilation and temperature

• ✅ Tyre pressure and tow hitch security

• ✅ Horse’s demeanor and hydration

• ✅ Feed and hay availability

• ✅ Emergency supplies (first aid, spare halter, water jerry can)

• ✅ Human essentials (charged phone, snacks, sunscreen)

🐾 Bonus Tips

• Bring water from home (have it in a water jerry can) or flavour it with molasses if your horse is picky, have KER Drink Up and molasses in your horse vet kit

• Soak hay for added hydration

• Use slow-feed hay nets to keep horses occupied

• Avoid travelling in peak heat—early mornings or evenings are best

• Practice float loading/unloading, regardless of horse experience before the trip (numerous times; weeks, if not months, beforehand)

  • I cannot stress this enough!! You need to know how well you can get your horse on and off your float, both in stressful situations and calm situations.

  • Get professional training to help master this (i.e. you need to learn how to handle your horse and not just expect a trainer to "fix" your horse, as this is not responsible horse ownership)

  • This will determine whether you unload at a stop-over/rest spot or leave them in the float.

• Travel with another human/horse buddy can reduce stress so that if anything happens you have another person around to help

• Park in truck parking areas to ensure you have easy means to leave and maneuver horse floats (if you are not good at maneuvering your float in car parks)

• Travelling with young horse(s)? I would bring another horse that is a seasoned traveller as a buddy, and also not unload at a rest stop to reduce risk (if you are travelling in one day, unload if you are stopping somewhere overnight).

• To rug or not to rug—my preference is to float horses without rugs and only put on travel-specific protective boots (I use magnetic therapy boots to reduce inflammation and help with circulation). Travelling increases heat for horses so it is better they are too cool than too hot.

🏕️ Overnight Options

If your trip spans multiple days, book ahead at:

• Local showgrounds with yards and powered camping

• Horse-friendly BnBs or farm-stays or agistment centres

• Equestrian centres with stabling options

💬 Final Thoughts

Long-distance horse travel doesn’t have to be stressful. With thoughtful planning, regular breaks, and a focus on comfort and hydration, you’ll arrive with a horse that’s calm, healthy, and ready for the next adventure.

Bear in mind, every horse travels and loads differently, this suggested planner should be adjusted to suit your horse(s) and may not apply to every situation. As the owner, you need to be responsible for your horse's welfare and handling at all times.