Advice- transporting stressed horse

ClassicG&T

ClassicG&T

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Hello,

Long story short, I’m moving to Oxford from Northumberland. I’m struggling to find a loan for my first pony for various reasons so it looks like he is coming with me!
I move in August

However, he doesn’t really travel well. He has been taken to competitions for 10 years with me but the most we would travel is an hour tops, so generally okay. However this is a long journey for him.
He has had colic once, at the vets a year ago as he got himself so upset. So naturally I’m terrified he may colic in the trailer.

He’s no better travelling with a horse than alone.

Would anyone recommend a very mild bit of sedation for travelling?
I’d be stopping a few times for him of course as it’s a long way. However, could I maybe sit in the stalls with him?

I would have to hire a trailer (a lorry that far and back would cost a small fortune but if it meant safe travel then I’d do it).

Any recommendations?
 
Talk to your vet about sedation. If he travels better in a lorry than trailer then that's what I would do despite cost. Generally once you get going they are fine and I wouldn't stop more often than necessary. How long is the journey/
 
My friends are quite old school like me but they surprised themselves and me by swearing by Fenwick Liquid Titanium masks for calming their racers when traveling and pre racing. Just an idea for you. My horse once had colic whilst travelling it was a nightmare.
 
On Google its just under 6 hours. I too would be tempted to stop less rather than more as they settle better when on the move. Its the speeding up / slowing down and maneuvering which tends to be more upsetting. Certainly talk to your vet about sedation - but it might also be worth looking at a professional transport company. Its more expensive of course - but multi horse lorries are far more stable - and professionally driven. He may well do better in an HGV than something you drive yourself. Plus of course you are not having to contend with driving with half your mind on how he is doing in the back.


ETA - Here's a thought. Take a week's holiday and hack him up?
 
ClassicG&T said:
Hello,

Long story short, I’m moving to Oxford from Northumberland. I’m struggling to find a loan for my first pony for various reasons so it looks like he is coming with me!
I move in August

However, he doesn’t really travel well. He has been taken to competitions for 10 years with me but the most we would travel is an hour tops, so generally okay. However this is a long journey for him.
He has had colic once, at the vets a year ago as he got himself so upset. So naturally I’m terrified he may colic in the trailer.

He’s no better travelling with a horse than alone.

Would anyone recommend a very mild bit of sedation for travelling?
I’d be stopping a few times for him of course as it’s a long way. However, could I maybe sit in the stalls with him?

I would have to hire a trailer (a lorry that far and back would cost a small fortune but if it meant safe travel then I’d do it).

Any recommendations?
Click to expand...

following lots of very stressful loading issues on the advice of my vet I have given 2 separate ponies Sedalin to travel on 2 separate occasions & it did take the edge of both & make the journey much safer - if you read the information leaflet you dose per weight as normal & the effects last upto 6 hours, if you increase the dose it doesn't make them more sedated it lasts longer - I only gave a low dosage knowing how my ponies react having used before & only travelling a short way - I never travel anywhere without it in the lorry now but you have to be aware that if adrenalin has already kicked in it sometimes doesn't have any affect - can be such a danger travelling ponies - I also used it to help regain confidence for both of us following a nasty incident & then built up travelling with companions before finally going solo again - good luck.
 
Wella said:
My friends are quite old school like me but they surprised themselves and me by swearing by Fenwick Liquid Titanium masks for calming their racers when traveling and pre racing. Just an idea for you. My horse once had colic whilst travelling it was a nightmare.
Click to expand...

Wow never heard of those masks how interesting - love this forum for finding out all sorts of obscure information - thanks
 
I don't think I'd be happy travelling a pony that has been sedated 🤔
If you travel him yourself I'd be inclined to treat him like a foal, take the partitions out , lots of straw down and let him loose
Otherwise just pay the money and get one of the big guys out , Gillies are fab
 
I'd be inclined to use a professional transporter... take the hassle and stress away from you. Trust me, driving 6 hours stressed out to the max is not going to do you any good.

Sedation is also a very good idea, however the only trouble with using a larger transporter like gillies is that they don't guarantee when they turn up, so you may have paid for the vet to come and sedate, and found out it was a total waste of time!
 
fredflop said:
I'd be inclined to use a professional transporter... take the hassle and stress away from you. Trust me, driving 6 hours stressed out to the max is not going to do you any good.

Sedation is also a very good idea, however the only trouble with using a larger transporter like gillies is that they don't guarantee when they turn up, so you may have paid for the vet to come and sedate, and found out it was a total waste of time!
Click to expand...

Sorry? Never had a problem with Gillies or any other pro transporter, and I've used Gillies since 1985 to bring stock down for me, the most recent was 2 weeks ago today.
Always kept in the loop if traffic misbehaves, you agree day of collection when booking is done. Timing firmed up closer to day, timing again firmed up night before, then usually a text on day at least an hour ahead unless you are 1st drop/pick up.

Unless vet emergency, you would never ever need iv to travel, purely an oral sedative if animal really requires it!
 
I'd use a large transporter as I couldn't stand the stress of travelling a bad traveller in a trailer for 6 hours. They'll have a more comfortable smoother journey with a decent transporter, and you'll feel better too.
 
6 hours Northumberland to Oxford is an optimistic time in my experience. I had to do South Dorset to Belsay and back, regularly in a car. Up to Oxford services was 2 hours and then on. Best time was 7 1/2 hrs in total but worst was 11. I do not do 80+ when towing so my best time would not be achievable, nor anywhere close to it..
Personally, having once had a really stressed horse rear and attempt to kick the roof out in a trailer, I'd go for the professional lorry transporter by choice.
Failing that you need a driver plus 2 other capable humans to assist you if there is a problem. I am fairly certain you are not legally allowed to travel in a trailer as you have no seat belts, but a camera is a possibility. Plan for the worse so that you succeed.
Best of luck.
 
Another vote for a professional transporter - especially if you've not got a trailer to take up there anyway.
They will have aircon, CCTV, herringbone in a big box is more stable than trailer - especially on motorways
I had a dedicated transport for 4 from Lincolnshire to Yorkshire - it was more reasonable than I was expecting.
 
I had my 2yo brought up from Devon in a transporter as I knew I’d be stressed doing it myself. Far nicer to sit and wait at home!
 
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