forethought for horsehide

[snare]

Our 30 year old horse is getting tired and we would like to like to make a rug when his time comes.  We've done small mammals (beaver, coon, coyote)  What do we expect from a horse?  He's been in the family for 28 years and the hide is special.  What is the best tanning method?
I was thinking of building a tiltable table for tacking out and fleshing.  What is the preferred method?  He's a big solid paint gelding.  Estimate 1000#. I've skinned plenty of stuff this big but never processed. How do the pros hanle an animal this large? We aret sure when he'll pass, right now I have the temp on my side.  But in the summer, I work long hours pouring/finishing concrete and can't get away.  What do I need to have on hand to make this job as efficient as possible?

[fishslayer13]

Horses have a cartilage layer on the skin just like zebra. Simlair to the cartilage in a deers ear. Its extremely hard to remove from a horse. It must be removed or the skin will dry very hard.  very few pro tanners will  even take one.