Moving Cattle Long Distances

I'd leave them in the trailer, bed them down when you stop, water them and offer hay. Thing to watch is the heat - even in a moving stock trailer they can get pretty hot. When you stop to check on them if they seem pretty hot, sprinkle some water on them so once you get going, they'll cool a bit. They'll be fine once you stop for the night and you might want to put the jack down so the trailer is a bit steadier. Dividing the bull from the cows is a good idea - it will put some space between them so they might stay a bit cooler, too. With only 3 head and I'm guessing, probably fairly used to being handled or at least around you, they should make the trip just fine. Make sure you have the right paperwork and stop when you get tired. Safe journey to you!

Howdy soon to be new neighbor! So our moving here huh? I'm just an hour north of Springfield or I'd say stop and rest at our place but you'd be about home anyway... Maybe post in the main forum about seeking a mid-way stop somewhere in west Kansas? I remember many were willing to take on a couple who were talking about riding their horses cross-country for a night or two to let them rest/bathe. Even if it's just someplace that you can unload them for a few hours or 5 and you could sleep in your truck. Lots of people love to be helpful like that! Also, I'd recommend you travel mostly at night. Cooler for the animals and less traffic... Good luck getting through the mountains with that load! Will you have anybody to call if you run into trouble along the route? When we travel across country I always worried about that, and we have 2 or 3 engine fixing guys in the truck with another truck carrying a few more! (we go to Colorado and/or Oklahoma to ride our 4 wheelers/bikes) hope you have a safe journey!

I want to thank everyone for your input. It sure help make the trip very manageable.

I have an 18' 1986 Delta stock trailer that has a partition in the middle. I ended up selling two of our cattle, and brought the bull and covered cow which I put up in the front of the trailer. The back of the trailer had our goats and LGDs.

A friend of mine was able to come with me, and share some of the driving. We did stop twice to get about 5 hours of sleep. The cattle did great. They were the first to start eating and drinking, and seemed to settle in after about 6 to 8 hours into the trip.

But it was a pretty wild 6 hours!!! Between the Sierra's and their shifting there was a bit of white knuckle driving. Once they settled down the rest of the drive went smooth.

All the animals made it safe and sound. All are healthy and active in their new pasture and enjoying the all the good eats the Missouri Ozarks have to offer.

Thanks again everyone. All your ideas made the trip much smoother than it could have been.

Glad u made it safe and sound. The wheather we r now havin is unseasonably cool and wet this yr.

It was crazy wet the first 10 days I was here, but the pasture is just popping now!!!

I know it won't be like this most July's and Augusts, but I'll take it!