Advice for ex-racer please

[jacksmum]

This is a loading question and any advice gratefully receved.
I have a 3.5t which was what previous trainer had to transport him but when i load him he is freaking out.
He walks on perfectly but as soon as he is on he goes silly, pawing, throwing himself around and generally losing the plot.
He does eventually kind of calm down but starts again at the drop of a pin.
My thoughts are just to pop him in little and often but does anybody have any experience of this?
As i said previous owner travelled him in a 3.5t alone and in company.
Thanks in advance xx

 

[Kaylum]

Maybe he is getting excited thinking he is going racing. Have you put another horse in with him.

 

[jacksmum]

My thoughts too bout the racing bit, only tried him on his own as this is what he will always be doing. Trainer also confirmed he has travelled on his own.

 

[catembi]

Mine did that. He travelled down from Cheltenham to S Cambs 100% fine in a hired 3.5 ton cos ours was being fixed, & when we put him in our 7.5 ton, he went berserk, rearing & trying to climb back out over the high bit of the partition. I've never seen anything like it.

He is totally fine & chilled if I load Jenny my old pony mare first, so poor old Jen who is 37 gets dragged about from pillar to post to lessons & shows. I am not sure how to wean him off her, but she's no trouble so for now she has to accompany him everywhere. She does get indignant as he gets to do all the fun stuff while she's left on the lorry. She was sj-ing & winning til she was 29 & did a tendon out hacking, & doesn't see why she should be left out.

 

[pastie2]

If the trainer has said that he has been on his own in a lorry and was ok, load go and let him sort himself out. There doesnt seem to be any need for tantrums, he is trying it on.

 

[Coolspot]

Sounds like he thinks he's off racing!
My old racer, at the age of 22, only has to see his travel boots to get excited and still expects to end up at the races and he's been out of racing since the age of 14.
Agree with the advice, load up and go! Have fun!

 

[Holly Hocks]

I bought a 3.5t 18 months ago for my ex-racer. He went mental in it. I thought he was going to come through the bulkhead he was smashing against it so hard. I was totally terrified and shaking when I got home. However he has got lots better over time and now only kicks off if I take a corner quicker than he would like!
My other ex-racer sweated up and shook when I first took her out - that was after a mighty battle to get her in - she was terrified of racing and thought I was going to put her through it again. I took her out on short journeys, put her in a few times just to feed her and now she walks in no problem and travels so quietly I could forget she's there. It takes perseverance. I would suggest a few short journeys of about 5-10 minutes - always arriving back at the point you start at - ie your yard. When you get back feed horse while still in the box as a reward, but don't let it get out straightaway. It will get better - honest!

 

[Luci07]

Do you load and then go or do you load up your horse and then leave him on board for a while before going? Mine will not tolerate being loaded to go to a party and then being left on a stationary vehicle so he is loaded when I am completely ready to go. We load we go. He is quite happy to stay on my trailer at shows with the side ramp down but the sheer excitement of going out means he is somewhat short on patience to begin with..

 

[Dirty_D]

Do you load and then go or do you load up your horse and then leave him on board for a while before going? Mine will not tolerate being loaded to go to a party and then being left on a stationary vehicle so he is loaded when I am completely ready to go. We load we go. He is quite happy to stay on my trailer at shows with the side ramp down but the sheer excitement of going out means he is somewhat short on patience to begin with..

I'd agree with this too, not just for ex-racers either!

 

[jacksmum]

Thanks all for the pointers.
Will just keep doing it and hope he settles, hope my poor van stands up to it all

 

[malcolmmacaw]

My ex racer is exactly the same. Perfect if with another horse, but has a tantrum on his own, doing exactly what Jacksmums horse does. However, he stops as soon as I get moving. My major worry is getting stuck in a traffic jam, which happened once!! But, like every one else says, the more we do it, the better he gets. Practice makes perfect!! Keep at it!