Any thoughts on why he suddenly won't load?

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

You posted elsewhere, I think, that recently the breast bar dropped down while he was in transit. That shouldn’t happen if it was properly secured with the pin clip. I have had it happen in a thankfully empty trailer when I’d forgotten to put the clip through.

I’d defintely double check the trailer including riding in it yourself empty (not on a public road) to check for rattles. My Ifor has come back from servicing with a new metal on metal rattle and I’m going to have to find out where the rattle coming from. I can hear it when driving with my car with the window down, so it would be very loud inside the trailer. I can’t replicate the rattle by shaking the trailer standing parked up, so a moving test it is.

The central partition pole used to rattle badly where it is secured to the roof, but I solved that by baffling it with old cycle inner tube off cuts .

It was totally my fault, in my rush to get him out of there as he was unhappy I didn't put the pin in to secure the breastbar. Thankfully even when it dropped he didn't worry or rush forward, and then I stopped slowly and put it back - but yes, idiot owner moment completely. I do however really like the idea of going in the back when it's moving, and we are on a private road too which is helpful so I can test it over 200m or so, I have noticed that it sounds quite rattly to me in general, but all trailers do (it's a HB510 Classic so not super new) but I am not 100% sure what is normal in terms of noise. I will definitely give that a go.

A growth spurt is possible, as is 5yo attitude looming - I have cancelled anything upcoming and will see where I can get with him, I am in no rush so happy to take the time to find out what's going on!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I have noticed that it sounds quite rattly to me in general, but all trailers do (it's a HB510 Classic so not super new) but I am not 100% sure what is normal in terms of noise

Snap, ours is a 2006 510 Classic owned from new . Brilliant trailers. You can get rid of almost all of the rattles with the judicial use of a mix of inner tube off cuts, draught excluder and electrical insulation tape.

It’s well worth doing anyway. Trailer service guy had the partition out as the front partition leaf was a bit bent and he’s straightened it all out. I suspect that some of our home made sound proofing got dislodged during the service, it’s towing and braking beautifully even when empty.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Snap, ours is a 2006 510 Classic owned from new . Brilliant trailers. You can get rid of almost all of the rattles with the judicial use a mix of inner tube off cuts, draught excluder and electrical insulation tape.

It’s well worth doing anyway. Trailer service guy had the partition out as the front partition leaf was a bit bent and he’s straightened it all out. I suspect that some of our home made sound proofing got dislodged during the service, it’s towing and braking beautifully even when empty.

Brilliant, thank you! This will be my new project over the next couple weekends then while doing loading practise with it stationery! If you have any photos of the soundproofing you have done and wouldn't mind sharing them by PM perhaps, I would love to see!

 

[Tiddlypom]

This has been most useful, as I can see that the electrical insulation tape that I had wound round both ends of the breast and breech bars to baffle the rattling in the brackets is no longer there! So that is the prime suspect for me to redo and to see if I can derattle my 510 again!

My two other main derattling features.

Top of central partition pole, cycle inner tube.




Top of ramp/rear top doors interface. Draught excluder.



ETA This is how I baffle the ends of the breast and breech bars with electrical tape. It’s not pretty, but it does seem to stop that awful metal-on-metal rattling.



Good luck.

 

[Beausmate]

I'd check the ramp and the floor again, but I am paranoid about that sort of thing!! You say he's doing less hacking and has changed grazing schedules. Could he have got a wee bit wider and is finding, or thinking it's a bit more of a squeeze to get in? Or the sides are touching him more once he is inside?

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I'd check the ramp and the floor again, but I am paranoid about that sort of thing!! You say he's doing less hacking and has changed grazing schedules. Could he have got a wee bit wider and is finding, or thinking it's a bit more of a squeeze to get in? Or the sides are touching him more once he is inside?

I don't think so, he looks like he has plenty of room, including headroom - however with his haynet I am still unsure where to tie it, if I tie it to the front of the trailer then he doesn't touch it, but if I tie it where it is in this clip where other people seem to (I had a nosey at a show) it looks right in his way - I put that in after he loads so it looks more open when I'm asking him to walk on. (He is on the correct side, my camera mirrors the image!)

This has been most useful, as I can see that the electrical insulation tape that I had wound round both ends of the breast and breech bars to baffle the rattling in the brackets is no longer there! So that is the prime suspect for me to redo and to see if I can derattle my 510 again!

My two other main derattling features.

Top of central partition pole, cycle inner tube.

View attachment 149645


Top of ramp/rear top doors interface. Draught excluder.

View attachment 149646

Good luck.

That's amazing, thank you!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

My friends usually good traveller was a complete mess after one journey. I suggested I travel in the back to see if all was well. Trailer had recently been serviced. As friend drove round a corner there was a loud tapping noise, when going straight in was ok. Also when going over a bump the noise was there. Once sorted he travelled fine again, so definitely have a ride in the back.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Edit: probably not relevant.

 

[MyBoyChe]

Apologies if Ive missed it but those 2 bits on the floor, are they fixed down? Not as simple as something sliding about I dont suppose? The first thing that came to my mind is has he had a bad journey recently. It happened to my perfect to load pony, I was taken ill and had someone else drive my box home, I dont think they remembered the "hot coffee in your lap" rule and for a while afterwards said pony thought twice about going up the ramp. Im not suggesting youve intentionally given him a bad ride but depending on how brave he is, could you have caught a pothole, had to turn or stop a bit too quickly or even a massive vehicle coming the other way or just too close to you! All things that could spook a baby x

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Apologies if Ive missed it but those 2 bits on the floor, are they fixed down? Not as simple as something sliding about I dont suppose? The first thing that came to my mind is has he had a bad journey recently. It happened to my perfect to load pony, I was taken ill and had someone else drive my box home, I dont think they remembered the "hot coffee in your lap" rule and for a while afterwards said pony thought twice about going up the ramp. Im not suggesting youve intentionally given him a bad ride but depending on how brave he is, could you have caught a pothole, had to turn or stop a bit too quickly or even a massive vehicle coming the other way or just too close to you! All things that could spook a baby x

They're not fixed but I also have the camera on all the time, so I can see that they don't move, my rubber matting flooring is very good. I haven't felt him actively spook or worry about anything, but that's not to say he hasn't just been tipped over his threshold for coping and is internalising it. Our roads can be quite bumpy and the exit to the yard is on a steep hill onto a quick road, so it's very possible.

 

[dorsetladette]

I don't think so, he looks like he has plenty of room, including headroom - however with his haynet I am still unsure where to tie it, if I tie it to the front of the trailer then he doesn't touch it, but if I tie it where it is in this clip where other people seem to (I had a nosey at a show) it looks right in his way - I put that in after he loads so it looks more open when I'm asking him to walk on. (He is on the correct side, my camera mirrors the image!)

View attachment 149648


That's amazing, thank you!

Should he not be travelling on the other side? as in behind the driver? So the weight in the trailer is on the highest part of the road camber?

If your travelling rough country roads he's over the wheels that will be in the gutter and pot holes most. Also the side that the tree branches might catch.

 

[maya2008]

Not sure if relevant but…are you sure the Devils Claw hasn’t masked anything? I’ve never known a youngster need pain relief for growing/being unbalanced. Have just reduced workload when obviously wonky until they caught up.

Also, how long have you been feeding it? In humans it is only recommended for a limited period of time (12 weeks I think) and comes with warnings about indigestion. In horses I seem to remember it was attributed to stomach ulcers with long term use. I do know we researched it for my arthritic oldie and decided on Boswellia as better tolerated for skeletal pain for longer periods of time. Even that causes ulcers in some individuals though.

 

[buzzles]

I don't think so, he looks like he has plenty of room, including headroom - however with his haynet I am still unsure where to tie it, if I tie it to the front of the trailer then he doesn't touch it, but if I tie it where it is in this clip where other people seem to (I had a nosey at a show) it looks right in his way - I put that in after he loads so it looks more open when I'm asking him to walk on. (He is on the correct side, my camera mirrors the image!)

View attachment 149648


That's amazing, thank you!

I tie the haynet to the middle partition, using the brackets that breast bar go in that aren't being used, he has one in the front too but l put one in middle too after hes in as he seems to prefer that way too. Haynet has to have pretty long rope though to go between the brackets on each side so it stays central. It's more in front of him than where you have it which he can reach easier

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’ve got these haynet hangers for my 510 as suggested by another HHOer, @lannerch IIRC. They clip on and off very easily, but are sturdy. I had a homemade version before, but it wasn’t as useable.

 

[Tarragon]

It looks like my Cheval Liberte trailer. I also have the problem as to where to hang the haynet - the designers don't seem to have thought about that aspect, which is crazy!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Should he not be travelling on the other side? as in behind the driver? So the weight in the trailer is on the highest part of the road camber?

If your travelling rough country roads he's over the wheels that will be in the gutter and pot holes most. Also the side that the tree branches might catch.

Hiya, answer is in the quote - my camera mirrors the image, he is on the correct side

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Not sure if relevant but…are you sure the Devils Claw hasn’t masked anything? I’ve never known a youngster need pain relief for growing/being unbalanced. Have just reduced workload when obviously wonky until they caught up.

Also, how long have you been feeding it? In humans it is only recommended for a limited period of time (12 weeks I think) and comes with warnings about indigestion. In horses I seem to remember it was attributed to stomach ulcers with long term use. I do know we researched it for my arthritic oldie and decided on Boswellia as better tolerated for skeletal pain for longer periods of time. Even that causes ulcers in some individuals though.

His lameness workup was before the devils claw, I had bought it as I was worrying (I see lame steps in everything and am a bit neurotic) but then decided to go proper lameness workup instead to settle the mind. He was sound but then clonked his leg on the other leg rolling (I saw him do it) and it was puffy overnight for a couple nights, so as I had it I put him on it and he's been on it for about 6 weeks (the bag is about to run out). I didn't know that it made them more prone to ulcers, it didn't come up when I was googling, there are no other signs of any ulcery behaviour, he's not grumpy, his ridden work is great, eating normally, I can touch him everywhere, ok with the girth etc etc - I will take him off it to be on the safe side though.

I’ve got these haynet hangers for my 510 as suggested by another HHOer, @lannerch IIRC. They clip on and off very easily, but are sturdy. I had a homemade version before, but it wasn’t as useable.

View attachment 149660

This looks great, I'll try one of these!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

It looks like my Cheval Liberte trailer. I also have the problem as to where to hang the haynet - the designers don't seem to have thought about that aspect, which is crazy!

I really liked the look of these trailers but my budget wouldn't quite stretch to one when I was looking - interesting that lack of haynet options seems to be universal!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Quick update: I did some practise on Sunday and he started to say no, and then I moved his dinner bowl into eyesight and he went straight on, I let him have some mouthfuls and then walked him off, rinse and repeat 7 or so times. Then I loaded/unloaded twice without the dinner bowl and not a moments hesitation. I am therefore tentatively feeling like it's just a spot of the Kevins and probably being a bit mentally tired.

Trailer checked and all ok, still need to de-rattle it but it's just finding someone to drive with me in it. Not planning to move it with him in it until that's done, and it's been 4 weeks or so.

 

[TPO]

View attachment 149656

Good luck.

I can't see this clearly and might have the totally wrong end of the stick.

My take is that this a view of the breastbar hooked onto the outside trailer wall and that this is the curved hook of the breastplate. Meaning that the straight hook is attached to the middle partition.

I could have that totally wrong and apologies if I do. It might be a full length breastbar.

Just a reminder that it should always be the straight hook to the external walls and the curved hook to the middle partition.

This is because if there is an accident or stuck horse you can unscrew the loops thst hold the bars from the outside.

If the straight side is fastened onto the middle partition that means even if the outside bar is released it will stay horizontal. If the curved hook is in the middle partition the bar will fall down vertically.

I hope they makes sense and maybe helps someone.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I can't see this clearly and might have the totally wrong end of the stick.

My take is that this a view of the breastbar hooked onto the outside trailer wall and that this is the curved hook of the breastplate. Meaning that the straight hook is attached to the middle partition.

I could have that totally wrong and apologies if I do. It might be a full length breastbar.

Just a reminder that it should always be the straight hook to the external walls and the curved hook to the middle partition.

This is because if there is an accident or stuck horse you can unscrew the loops thst hold the bars from the outside.

If the straight side is fastened onto the middle partition that means even if the outside bar is released it will stay horizontal. If the curved hook is in the middle partition the bar will fall down vertically.

I hope they makes sense and maybe helps someone.

Nope, you are absolutely right (and have a very good eye!) - that was before I took it for it's first service and the guy doing the service told me I had it wrong and swapped them all around for me! I haven't owned a trailer before and just didn't know, but it's been the safe way around since then!

It's a good post to have on the forum though, as I'd have never known had he not told me

 

[TPO]

Nope, you are absolutely right (and have a very good eye!) - that was before I took it for it's first service and the guy doing the service told me I had it wrong and swapped them all around for me! I haven't owned a trailer before and just didn't know, but it's been the safe way around since then!

It's a good post to have on the forum though, as I'd have never known had he not told me

I didn't know either until I saw a video by Joe Midgley a wee while ago.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I can't see this clearly and might have the totally wrong end of the stick.

My take is that this a view of the breastbar hooked onto the outside trailer wall and that this is the curved hook of the breastplate. Meaning that the straight hook is attached to the middle partition.

I could have that totally wrong and apologies if I do. It might be a full length breastbar.

Just a reminder that it should always be the straight hook to the external walls and the curved hook to the middle partition.

This is because if there is an accident or stuck horse you can unscrew the loops thst hold the bars from the outside.

If the straight side is fastened onto the middle partition that means even if the outside bar is released it will stay horizontal. If the curved hook is in the middle partition the bar will fall down vertically.

I hope they makes sense and maybe helps someone.

You’re absolutely right, I must have had a brain f@rt putting the breast and breech bars back after putting the anti rattle electrical insulation tape on the ends . Blame my Covid brain fog. No horse has been in the trailer since it came back from servicing.

I know first hand how important it is to have the breast/breech bars fitted correctly having previously been able to quickly release the breast bar from the outside of this same trailer in an emergency, despite having a horse straddled over the breast bar.

ETA Though interestingly Ifor say that it is preferable but not essential to have the lynch pin on the outer side wall .

“The recommended orientation is to fit the lynch pin end to the outer side wall of the trailer and the curled end on the centre partition. Fitting the other way around does not mean that the external release system will fail to operate, but it is more likely that the pin end will break before dropping.

Ifor Williams clarifies breast bar safety confusion - Horse & Hound

The trailer manufacturer has spoken out on the external release safety system

www.horseandhound.co.uk

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

You’re absolutely right, I must have had a brain f@rt putting the breast and breech bars back after putting the anti rattle electrical insulation tape on the ends . Blame my Covid brain fog. No horse has been in the trailer since it came back from servicing.

I know first hand how important it is to have the breast/breech bars fitted correctly having previously been able to quickly release the breast bar from the outside of this same trailer in an emergency, despite having a horse straddled over the breast bar.

Whoops, I thought TPO had quoted my picture! I was thinking she had a bloody good eye, as my photo was quite zoomed out Well that makes two of us who have done it!

 

[Tiddlypom]

What we have done on our 510 classic since the emergency horse release incident is to replace the original external breast bar Allen key fittings (which did fortunately work as designed that day) with these more modern and foolproof eye bolt fittings that Ifor use on their more recent trailers. You can get good leverage on them with a wheel brace.

 

[twiggy2]

Soreness can cause loading issues due to the horse having to brace themselves so much for balance

 

[Clodagh]

Sorry if it’s been said but do you need the partition in? Every horse I ever had preferred standing herringbone and would do so without the partition.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Sorry if it’s been said but do you need the partition in? Every horse I ever had preferred standing herringbone and would do so without the partition.

This is something I will try at some point, I just need to find some full length breast bars

 

[Clodagh]

This is something I will try at some point, I just need to find some full length breast bars

Good point. I had front and rear ones.

 

[SirBrastias]

Good point. I had front and rear ones.

This might sound like silly question but how to tie up without the partition? Do you tie to the drivers side and them let them adjust? We have some issues with exciting the trailer and the horse rushing off which might be due to him trying to turn and catching himself. Also is it easy to move the full length bars out of the way when unloading?