Trucker Talk: By John & Kim Jaikes Horsepower is typically something we discuss about the trucks we feature, but in this case, it is more about what the truck is hauling instead of what’s under the hood. At the “Road to Wishes” Truck Show in Ocala, FL last month, we saw an awesome rig designed specifically for hauling horses. Thinking about taking pictures of it, we figured what would be better than this beautiful truck with a stunning horse standing next to it and representing what true horsepower really looks like. Appropriately named “Horse Play” for obvious reasons, I could not have imagined a more perfect truck and trailer, displayed by Chabe Durham, in all its shiny glory. This classic Peterbilt and the very custom stainless Featherlite horse trailer she pulls was a 53’ mirror shining in the Florida sun. When we met Chabe he was happy to tell us all about his trusty steed. A 2024 Peterbilt 389X (#1345 of 1369) powered by a Cummins with 605 “horses” under her hood, hooked to an 18-speed, with a 296-inch wheelbase, she was put together with the “less is more” mentality. “Horse Play” rolls down the road with as much elegance as the winning horses that she hauls! When it comes to a comfortable ride, the wagon this horse pulls goes above and beyond. They thought of everything when they were putting this trailer together, including heat for in the winter and air conditioning for in the summer, and the walls are insulated and lined with products that help protect both the horse and the trailer’s structure. Depending on how long the ride will be, sometimes there are stops along the way where they can let the horses out to stretch their legs and rest. Our friend Warren Aitken (who was here for the show from Australia) and I were not too proud to beg for an opportunity to shoot this truck and trailer, and sometimes dreams come true. Chabe invited us to visit the World Equestrian Center and a local farm to get pictures, as well. At the farm, we were able to get that shot I had hoped for. The staff at the farm was kind enough to bring out a magnificent black horse to pose next to that magnificent Peterbilt and her shiny wagon. A little tour around the World Equestrian Center and out through the local countryside scouting for locations made us appreciate everything that this region has to offer. The locations Warren picked were “picture perfect” as always, and I was happy to be along for the ride. I am not a person who rides horses, but it was awesome that day getting to pet some of those soft noses and scratch the ears of the horses who came by the fence when we were out in the field and stopped at a few places along the way. These special animals are fortunate to live in a place that is considered to be paradise for horses. Each fall, in places where it gets cold, it is not just people who start their migration south to Florida to escape winter – thousands of horses make that trip south, as well, and end up here in Marion County. It is here in the “Horse Capital of the World” where they get to enjoy a very mild winter, with low humidity, until they load up for the flight back home for the summer. Have you ever wondered why you see the lights on in a horse trailer at night? This does not happen by accident but is done on purpose to help eliminate shadows at night that will spook the horses. Hauling horses is a specialized business using very specialized trailers. Chabe said that if an emergency arises, he has been trained to administer certain medical treatments if necessary before he can get to a location with a vet. There are a lot of things you must be aware of before you load that wagon, including making sure there is proper ventilation to minimize stress and help prevent dehydration, colic, and other respiratory issues like shipping fever. Proper loading includes using quick release ties and placing heavier horses on the driver’s side. All states require documentation for horses traveling across state lines that verify health status and ownership. Most test results are valid from 6-12 months, but a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection by a licensed vet is typically valid for only 30 days. Some states require an import permit, which is obtained by your vet, as well. 60 10-4 Magazine / April 2026 RIDING IN STYLE
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