Boots or Bandage???

[ArabianGold]

I am traveling out to an endurance ride on Sunday, my mare (whom of which I have not travelled before) had a freaky experience when last trying to get her to load.

The people that the previous owner had sold Whisper to prior to me getting her, tried to load her in a trailer to take her to wales her new destination and she reared up backwards, fell over and knocked herself out. Neadless to say they left without her, covered in deep cuts and still dazed a week later I brought her instead...

Now when I travel I normally put boots on but I am not sure if I should bandage her instead as I presume it will give her more movement and if she was going to have a paddy when loading (which is fine I don't want to be forcefull AT ALL and I am expecting it after her last time) if wearing boots would be a bit more of an annoyance than help as they are quite padded and dont allow a lot of movement.

I have got poll guard, tail bandage and a good fitting head collar...

Now just don't know if boots or bandages would work best.... Your thoughts please..

P.S - She isnt travelling alone and we are going in a lorry, there is no rush to load her and it will be taken quietly and calmly, so please do not think I am putting Whisper under any pressure. (Thanks)

 

[annunziata]

ohh good luck!! I am a fab of both, if she can be naught i would have said boots (put on and walk her around for a it before you actually go so she get used to them obviously!) but if she can panic then there is no worry of them coming undone????

 

[ellie_e]

I would practice loading her first, feeding her on the box etc. Ive got the 'soft' type travel boots from polypads which allows them to move and not feel restricted, but no worries about them slipping or coming undone

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

i would suggest a couple of slow small journeys prior to taking her out and expecting her to perform and then re load! bandages are easier on the horse, but it depends on whether she is calm to take bandages off at the other end!

 

[BombayMix]

My daughter's ex-racer was like this and she would bandage him and then travel boot over the top to keep him protected but he wasn't the best traveller to go with that

 

[twinkle]

i would prob bandage to load then put boots on once in! but might not all work out as easy as that seeing what she has been threw. Hope you get on alright with the loading just practice practice getting on and off before going anywhere. Good luck.