Do you haul to hunt tacked?

[IFG]

Hi,

I am new to hunting. Going on my second hunt this week-end. I noticed that several folks hauled to the last hunt tacked. It did make it much quicker for them.

Do you haul tacked? I assume you bridle once there. Is that correct? How long is your trip if you haul tacked?

Thanks!

[Benson]

Yes, I haul completely tacked up, put a leather halter over the bridle, make sure halter nose piece won't interfere with the bit, put the reins through the throatlatch of the halter, throw on a sheet and toss him on the trailer. He's pretty amped when we get there and I go with a young child, so it makes life much easier.

Everyone in our Hunt travels tacked up, but one person who's horse stands very politely tied to the trailer tacks upon arrival.

The farthest I've travelled tacked up is 45 minutes.

[Daatje]

I never haul tacked. My mare is quiet to work around on the ground, so I see no benefit of tacking her up at home, when I could have her travel more comfortably and tack when we arrive.

If I had a more fidgety horse, I may consider it though. :)

[Hunter's Rest]

Yes if >30 minutes shipping. Fully tacked. Bridle and all (make sure a standing martingale isn't 'done up' though.)
If 30-45 minutes, I might not bridle. And if closer to an hour+ I just leave extra time. But I have a stock trailer and usually ship 1-2 so I have 'box stalls' to use instead of tying up.
Always tack if you can. Easy.

[armandh]

saddle but no bridle and a light sheet to keep the dust off.
but he is easily bridled.
my last horse [photo in my profile] I had to bridle in the trailer
out side he could put his head higher than my reach.

[Seven]

We (and most of the rest of the people I see at the local hunts) travel tacked (at least with the saddle). I usually don't bridle, although I have on short trips. I always put the bridle on in the trailer before unloading. I once had an large, experienced and very excited fox hunter get away from me (when I was a small, inexperienced junior) trying to bridle after unloading.

[SLW]

It depends. If my tack is in the trailer, then I tack up at the hunt. If my tack is in the barn then I tack up at home. :)

[Elghund2]

Saddled but not bridled. The older guy I bridle when I take him off the trailer. The 5 yrold I bridle on the trailer and then put the halter on over the top before taking him off.

I've always done it so that I know I'm getting the saddle in the right place. Also, that way I know I haven't forgotten the girth.

[Beverley]

Yes. Have hauled as far as three hours tacked. Usually don't put the bridle on til I get there.

[ab06]

I'd say less than half of the people at my hunt travel tacked. I don't, but like some others here, my horse is very behaved and quiet (at least until we actually move out). If he was uppity, I might do it differently.

[IFG]

Thanks so much for your responses!

The fixture this week is about 45 minutes away so I figure I will tack with saddle and sheet over it, and bridle when I get there. I am short, but he is only 15.2.;)

[cevent]

We travel tacked and the farthest fixture is about a 45 minute drive. Typically we just have their saddles on, but if we're running late or we're hunting a green horse we'll have them travel with their bridle on. It just makes life a lot easier!

[LookinSouth]

I was always so against hauling tacked but since I have started hunting I have changed my mind. When I haul in my friends 2 horse box stall stock I always haul with saddle on, put bridle on in trailer when we arrive. It really is so much easier. The only time I have not done that was when we hauled to a hunter pace 2 + hrs. away.

When I am shipping my horse alone or with another horse that ships very well I will haul tacked if we aren't going more than 1.5 hours or so. Like others have mentioned I throw the cooler on top of the saddle (w/ it's dust cover on). I never haul with the bridle on.

The fixture I went to last weekend I didn't haul tacked because we were traveling in a friends straightload trailer and her horse can sometimes be unpredicatable. We got to the fixture 40 minutes early and had plenty of time to tack and warm up.

[Little Valkyrie]

I travel fully tacked to the meet because its just one less thing to do once I get there, and it ensures that I haven't left anything vital behind ;). I'm lucky that the farthest fixture is at most 20 minutes trailer from my house, but its still more convenient to tack up. Have fun out hunting!

[Bogie]

Less than an hour, I haul tacked. Including bridled.
More than an hour, I generally tack when I get there.

I like tacking before I go because then I'm ready and know that I have everything I need!

[Foxtrot's]

I don't have a hunt horse now, but, like Bogie, if you go tacked up you can't forget your girth (she says with feeling.) It rains a lot here - can just unload and mount up at the last minute without getting a wet bum.

[Painted Wings]

We have one fixture that is close and we meet at one spot and then haul to a new spot chosen by the huntman depending on wind direction etc. So hauling tacked means it won't take me long once we get to our final spot. Usually I just tack up once I get there and leave plenty of time. I've got a tack room on the trailer so its no problem. In the olden days before tack compartments it was the easiest way and it made sure you had all your stuff.

[Rt66Kix]

I haul 110 miles, or 2 hours 20 minutes, to get to our hunt. I tack up when I get there. I pack the truck the night before and make sure I have everything. In my mind I run through the saddle-ing process. "Brushes, hoof boots, pad, saddle, girth, MY headgear; HIS headgear, whip, gloves."

I hope that Santa brings me tack bags (garment bag, helmet bag, saddle carrier and misc duffel bag) for Christmas so it's easier. Right now since I have a stock trailer I have to put everything in the back of the cab of the truck. So far I've not forgotten anything!

[kt-rose]

I haul tacked to hunt and lessons -- saddle and breastplate, bridle goes on when I arrive. I rarely go anywhere further than 45 minutes, so lucky!! My horse would stand tied happily to the trailer for years but I am neurotic about being late so it just makes me feel ready and unrushed.

[TBlitz]

Distances are 50 and 100 miles away. I haul with a saddle on but no bridle. My horse stays perfectly still and calm... until I get on. I'm quite an airhead and have also been known to forget neccessary tack :uhoh: when going to shows or hunting.

I bought this amazing gear bag on e-bay that travels everywhere with me. It rolls up and buckles and has a shoulder strap, so it's like a bulky tote bag. It has a compartment for my clothing, boots, helmet, accessories, and even a place to velcro strap a hunt whip in. I know they have similar ones for sale nowadays that aren't quite as nice, but I love mine!

[Xctrygirl]

I am totally spoiled, we hunt with Cheshire and we're based right in the middle of the country.

So the furthest we're going in 20 minutes. All our horses ship tacked. One of them ships sans bridle...course mostly because he goes out in a studded noseband and we want that to be more effective once we're on him, so it goes on last.

As others have said it really is much harder to forget things.

~Emily

[IrishRydr]

Fortunately I am close to the land we hunt, so it is just easier to tack at home, load up with a halter instead of a bridle, and just put the bridle on when I arrive and we are about to mount up. I have a very sensible horse and it keeps me clean.

[SteeleRdr]

We've always hauled tacked, sans bridle. There have only been a few occasions that we've not tacked, but that was when we had nearly a 2+ hour drive. Our meets used to be 20 min away for most, but now it's about 45-an hour, and we still haul tacked. We have a 4-horse head to head, so we just leave the breast bar up, and put on bridles before they come off the trailer.

[lolalola]

I haul tacked up, including bridle. I use a brid-over halter under the bridle, which has extra snaps so it can be easily removed from underneath the bridle. Handy for horses who start moving around in that brief time between taking off the halter and putting on the bridle.

[Good Old Sledge]

I have sometimes and others I haven't. No real reaon for eaither, but I'm leaning toward doing it every time because:
Usually the warmest my fingers will be all day is at home, first thing.
I'm less likely to forget something.
It's quicker once there and I can devote time to getting Himself settled under saddle rather than trying to get his attention to get the saddle on.

[SidesaddleRider]

Yes, we always haul tacked, and most of the fixtures are within 20 minutes. If we have a green horse or an excitable one, we'll put the bridle on at home as well, otherwise we'll just bridle them when we get there. I always put a scrimmy on over the saddle, and add a wool cooler on top of that if the weather is cold.

[Ware Whip!]

Yes :)

[BaileyTW]

I normally haul with a saddle on and bridle when I get there. At my stable, the barn is at the bottom of a HUGE hill, so its just easier to tack up down there and rid up to the trailer, rather than carry all your tack up and then go get the horse. Whew! too many walks up the hill!
My horse goes fine in a halter and lead, so I just tack up and ride him up with the halter and carry his bridle and grooming bag in the other hand.

Also, you never forget the girth if you go tacked up!!!

[flyingchange]

yes. a few times I have gone not only with my horse totally tacked, but with my hardhat on my head too - that way I haven't forgotten it ...:uhoh:

sometimes I also bridle before trailering - because there is nothing worse than getting halfway down the road and realizing you left the stinkin thing back at home. :o:o:o:mad:

[Foxtrot's]

A brid-over halter???? I could use one of 'em. What does it look like?

For long hauls, it is more considerate not to have the saddle on since the horse has to be tacked up for a long time once he's at the meet.

[Acertainsmile]

I will tack up at home if I'm not going to far... I also put the bridle on, and halter over top...

Yesterday I even did my hair and put my helmet, jacket and gloves on before leaving... it just makes things so much easier!

[Romany]

Typically trailer with saddle and breastplate on, saddle cover over the saddle, and W'beeta sheet over everything, or warmer rug if required.

Put the bridle on at the meet, either on the trailer if horse is a goof, or off if horse is polite.

For all those who fret about forgetting stuff....why not splurge on one spare girth, one spare bridle, one spare...you get the point! ;)

[Thomas_1]

No I never transport a horse in its tack.

For those who are forgetful. Do a check list!

[Foxtrot's]

....And there is always the chance of a stirrup leather or part of the saddle getting hung up on part of the trailer if you are not careful, if the horse is not straight and some little hookey thing is not out of the way. Or part of the blanket hanging up - and off he goes, sparks aflying on the ashphalt...seen it happen.

[IFG]

Thanks all. I hauled tacked (with a sheet covering the saddle to avoid loose leathers getting caught). It went great, and I was ready so much quicker. I think that it was easier for both me and the horse.

[HOH]

My first hunt, we were the first trailer to arrive. As we were admiring the countryside, everyone else arrived and unloaded already tacked, causing us to scurry so that we weren't holding everyone up!

I now always haul with saddle on the horse as our hunts aren't more than 1.5 hours away. It makes it so quick and easy!

[RxCate]

Our hunt asks that we come tacked so that we are all not rushed and have the chance to possibly miss something that could cause a huge problem out in the field.

I normally travel just with the saddle w/ a cooler over and then put the bridle on when we get there.

[flash1]

Yes...put the bridle on in the trailer once we're there...makes it much easier if you're parked on the side of a road somewhere...also helps to not forget anything vital...

[Painted Wings]

For those of you putting bridles on in the trailer.... Are these straight loads? I can't imagine trying to do that with a slant load. I'll probably be hauling tacked this Wednesday. Not sure if I want to put the bridle on ahead of time or not. It's a 15 minute haul. This filly can be a little wild at the meet though starting out.

[asb_own_me]

Short answer, never. For various reasons, #1 being safety and #2 being comfort, both for my horse.

[Beverley]

For those of you putting bridles on in the trailer.... Are these straight loads? I can't imagine trying to do that with a slant load. I'll probably be hauling tacked this Wednesday. Not sure if I want to put the bridle on ahead of time or not. It's a 15 minute haul. This filly can be a little wild at the meet though starting out.

Answer for me is yes, straight load, in my case a 2H bumper pull. Though current horses are easy enough to bridle anywhere any time. Back in the day, when horses were hauled to the meet in a head to head van or gooseneck w/center aisle, easy enough to bridle them in their stalls before unloading. I agree with you, it would be tricky in a slant load.

When I haul bridled- halter over bridle bundles the reins under the throatlatch, and the end of the reins goes through the stirrup leather as the latter is brought up, around and through stirrup, then locked into place with the stirrup strap through keeper. Wool sheet keeps it all snag free. If standing martingale, it gets looped through itself once or twice to form a knot where it attaches to the breastplate.

[Painted Wings]

Really for the most part I have never had any trouble putting a bridle on at the meet. Once we hunted so far that they had to send a trailer for the last few diehards. It was the huntsman, a whip, and myself. They came with the hound trailer which was a stock in the back. No halters. We had to haul the three horses tied by their bridles in the back. It was very scary but they were all tired so didn't much care. All three horses were from different barns too and had not been hauled together.

[wateryglen]

Emphatic vote NO! I've seen/been involved in a couple of horse trailer accidents where the tack became a significant issue in the extrication of the horse. Sometimes the horse comes out fine but the saddle is toast. Like when a horse goes down in a trailer. (bumpy driveway/field, horse on slick manure after a long trip etc.) Saw a friends 2 horse come off the hitch and roll down a hill backwards and end up. We got horse out but the saddle & bridle had to be cut off and hurt him. They were ruined and quite frankly were more valuable than the horse was! :winkgrin:

Saddles can get squished sideways in a trailer as horses weight shifts. Of course, mine are a bit wide....:eek::D. And I had a saddle repairer tell me never to trailer there or home with saddle on as the road dirt/dust that the saddle gets exposed to does damage to the leather & especially the stitching. I value that expensive saddle too.

I absolutely don't feel there's any comfort to the horse to keep a saddle on afterwards. For a few minutes maybe with a loose girth but not for the ride home. A wiggly object on a sore back can't be good!

But to qualify, I agree the distance trailered is the thing. Half hour or less? Tacked up should be fine. Assuming a good, experienced at trailering horse. Greenie? Never! Bridles?Never ever. We need to TRAIN our horses to stand to be tacked up and to stay tied to the trailer so get with it!!! :winkgrin::D Why to we do it? Laziness!!! or OUR convenience!! I don't think it's best for the horse in the end. Get to the meet earlier. Take your time! Let the horse unwind! And I know I'm in the minority so just leave me be!!! :cool:

[IFG]

I absolutely don't feel there's any comfort to the horse to keep a saddle on afterwards. For a few minutes maybe with a loose girth but not for the ride home. A wiggly object on a sore back can't be good!


FYI, I took off the tack for the trip home. I think that everyone did.

I shipped with the girth tight because I was afraid of the saddle slipping. Would love to hear what others do.

[Jaegermonster]

I don't haul tacked up either. The shortest time I have to go usually is an hour and a half, and my horse has to wear the saddle long enough and work hard enough when we get there. I leave my tack in the trailer for the most part, or if I do bring it in the tackroom the girth stays with it so it's not an issue. But it's not that hard to put stuff in the trailer the night before, or set it somewhere all together. Bridling is not an issue either,
my horses have been trained to stand tied and also stand quietly for bridling (yes even my homebred I first took out at 3 1/2).

[Fairview Horse Center]

There can be some real train wrecks hauling with tack. Way too many thngs to get caught on pins, edges, etc., not to mention comfort of the horse!!! Oh, yeah, I am one that does not believe in leaving the horse on the trailer after it carted someone's butt all over creation, while the rider enjoys after hunt breakfasts either. The horse deserves to be taken home and made comfortable first. If you are too far away, make arrangements with someone local to let the horse have a comfy stall.

Here is an idea to save time. Get yourself dressed the night before, and sleep in your breeches and boots. They won't wrinkle, and you can just get up and leave.

[Guilherme]

Generally speaking, no.

Under no cicumstances would I haul in a bridle.

Hauling a tacked up horse puts the tack at risk of some serious "road burn." You can reduce this risk by various kinds of covers, but I don't intend to put a valuable saddle at risk to save five minutes at my destination. ;)

A well trained horse should unload quietly and stand tied to a trailer quietly.

I don't know that hauling tacked up puts the horse at much additional risk in the event of a mishap. If anything it might be some additional "handles" to help the horse out of a difficulty.

The hunt HQ is a full 1.5 hrs. from our house and some territories are 2.0 hrs. away. That can also figure into the equation. Still, it only takes a second or two for a horse to inflict several hundred dollars damage to a good saddle.

We haul in a slant load Featherlight.

G.

[Snow Princess]

Yes i haul tacked..saddle.. No bridle.

My trailer is like a boxstall.. rubermatted.. fully bedded... it's quite cozy.

Very Comfortable. :cool:

If you are against horses standing on trailer's after hunts while rider's eat thier breakfast..I'm sorry i will offend you. It's not that bad really.

It's no different than sitting in line at the border with horse on the trailer.. It's a good skill to teach them really.

I will say the car accident point is a very good one.. i have been blessed to never see such carnage. So i will hunt on hauling tacked.... and pray i don't learn the negatives as you did.

[Beverley]

Well, in 37 years of hunting mine haven't complained about the tack on board going to the meet, or about standing tied to the trailer afterward, munching hay while we breakfast. That is, of course, after having been thoroughly tended to BEFORE going to the breakfast- sponge bath or thorough rubdown depending on the weather, any little nicks or cuts tended to, etc. I put my horse's needs first after he's graciously hauled my butt all over creation all day!

[TBlitz]

Bev- I agree. I'm always the last person to the breakfast because I make sure my horse is happy. He gets rinsed off in warm (TX) weather, poulticed, blanketed if needed, and either put in a small paddock (or stall) or tied to the trailer with water and hay. He always needs some recovery time before trailering the 50-100 miles back home and is normally ready to go after the breakfast.

[Fairview Horse Center]

Bev- I agree. I'm always the last person to the breakfast because I make sure my horse is happy. He gets rinsed off in warm (TX) weather, poulticed, blanketed if needed, and either put in a small paddock (or stall) or tied to the trailer with water and hay. He always needs some recovery time before trailering the 50-100 miles back home and is normally ready to go after the breakfast.

Thank yoiu boh for caring for your horses first. I have just seen to many sweaty, still tacked horses standing on their trailers after hunts while the owners enjoyed themselves.

[TBlitz]

My horses always come first no matter what. I think I spend more time giving my horses scratches and treats than I do making them work. When I die, I want to reincarnate as a horse owned by someone exactly like me! :lol: Seriously!

[Bogie]

Thank yoiu boh for caring for your horses first. I have just seen to many sweaty, still tacked horses standing on their trailers after hunts while the owners enjoyed themselves.

I'm happy to report that you don't see that at my hunt.

[LookinSouth]

I'm happy to report that you don't see that at my hunt.


I dont' recall seeing much of that at the hunt I ride with either. People haul in tacked but I rarely see someone LEAVING tacked. My horse does stand on the trailer while I go to tea. But I can guarantee he's been curried, rubbed down with liniment, completely untacked of course, fleece cooler on if need be. Then he gets on a nice roomy trailer with a haybag stuffed with hay and hangs out with his buddy. I don't feel comfortable leaving him tied outside the trailer if I am not right there. I think that is asking for more trouble than having him on the trailer.

[Jaegermonster]

Thank yoiu boh for caring for your horses first. I have just seen to many sweaty, still tacked horses standing on their trailers after hunts while the owners enjoyed themselves.

We dont see that at our hunt either. I think the dirty looks and hairy eyeballs would stop that right quick.
I don't haul tacked, as I said, but I will leave her at the trailer while I go to the breakfast.
She gets watered, hosed or sponged off with liniment, legs and shoulders rubbed down, a light sheet if it's cool and big hay bag with alfalfa. She can sleep, stretch, pee or whatever, then in a half hour or so we load up and go home.

[Snow Princess]

I have never seen anybody shove their horse on the trailer still tacked after the hunt and leave it in that state to go to breakfast.