A slightly odd question about travelling in trailer

[Law]

In the summer I was lucky enough to buy my first trailer which has meant that Mr D has been going out nearly every week to competitions and lessons. He's had to deal with travelling alone (I bought him mirrors to help) and he's gone from being a psycho that loads in 2 mins but kicks out the whole journey to loading in 2 mins but travelling ok generally. Only stomps with impatience when we come to a stop.

Problem is that I load him on my own and he's got a habit of rocking on the bracing bar whilst i'm trying to get it in and pin it.
I just wondered if I might be putting it in the wrong slot and he's trying to tell me it's too loose or too tight. He stamps out with his back feet and spreads them like he's trying to get balance except we are stationary and he doesn't stop stomping until the engine is on and we are off!
He wears a 6ft rug and the bars are both on the middle holes.
Has he just learnt an annoying trick that makes mum cross or have I got the bars on too loose?

Opinions gratefully received and if you want to say your horses rug size and bar position that might help! (Rug size being an indication of length of horse)

 

[dieseldog]

I would try the bar in different slots and see which one he likes best. My mare used to kick out in the lorry all the time until I realised that she likes masses of space so i now have the partition really wide. I would try making it longer first.

 

[lucemoose]

My horse who is a 6'6" in a big Ifor has the bars on the longest setting that he can fit in. I think the longest setting would be best, so he is not pema-wedged!
He stamps too when stationary as hes a pain, knows he is off somewhere. I have an equitrek myself and through experience I wedge him in with the partition, same in a wagon as he is a narrow chap and wobbles like we kicked his crutches out.

 

[nijinsky]

I have a 16'3 and a 16'1 and always have the bars to give the
longest length.

 

[rabatsa]

As much space as possible within reason, a lot of horses try to angle themselves even in a trailer.

 

[apkelly01]

Mine wear's a 6'6 rug and travels alone in a ifor 510. I've the bars set to give her as much room.

Just a question - when travling your alone, do you load yours on the left or right of the box?

PS Never heard of mirrors being used in a horsebox - that's a new one to me (everyday's a school day!)

 

[Law]

Thank you for all your replies.
He's quite an anxious person so as soon as the travel boots and tail guard come out he knows we're off to a party and he starts getting 'interesting'. He walks on with no hesitation but starts stomping as soon as he's tied up

I shall try lengthening the bars next time we are out.
I hoped he'd settle with each trip out but some days he's good and doesn't move, other days he's stomping for Wales!
Thanks again

 

[Law]

On the right, that's what I was told you are meant to do- put the heavier horse (or the only horse in this case!) on the right

The mirrors work a treat- I catch him looking at the pretty boy next to him a lot!

 

[apkelly01]

[ QUOTE ]
On the right, that's what I was told you are meant to do- put the heavier horse (or the only horse in this case!) on the right

The mirrors work a treat- I catch him looking at the pretty boy next to him a lot!

[/ QUOTE ]

At least he's getting better - he could be going the other way!

Yeah the right is correct - something to do with the way the roads are made.

When I'm loading on my own, I put the front bar down and leave a bucket on the floor with a tiny bit of feed. Super walks up and while she's occupied with the feed I do the back bar and close the door. I then go to the front and do the front bar and tie her up.

When we first got her, we'd difficultly loading her but she got better over time.

 

[air78]

Have you tried him with the partition out?

 

[Law]

No, I've not

 

[suzysparkle]

Good point about the partition, most horses travel better without them.

 

[apkelly01]

[ QUOTE ]
Good point about the partition, most horses travel better without them.

[/ QUOTE ]

This year was the first time I traveled Super without a partition in the 510 because of the foal. I had her tied to the front with a leadrope fastened to a piece of baling twine. I'd only travelled about 8 miles when I heard a bang - I thought the foal had banged it's head of the breast bar, but then the horsebox started to 'jump' about. I pulled over and got out to check on them thinking the foal had fallen over. I looked in through the front window and I was faced with Super's butt! She had broken free and turned in the box and was now looking out the back! She's 16.2hh and she turned in a 510!!

I'll be putting the partitions back in when I'm ready to transport her again!

 

[Law]

[ QUOTE ]
Good point about the partition, most horses travel better without them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can I ask what the breaching bars are for? I thought it was to support the horse and aid balance? I know, that's a stupid question

I would have thought if I took the partitions out he'd have even more room to dance about and strop in? He travels fine once we are off.

Also how short should he be tied? I've got him fairly short but he still manages to look round at me (ie bend his whole neck round) when i'm putting the bar on the back. (he's very nosey!)
I think he is anxious about being left on his own - as long as I am in sight he stands fairly quietly it's when I'm out of sight shutting doors and ramps etc that he has his strop