Cross tie in box - opinions please

[vicm2509]

I have a 3.5t horse box which currently needs a new partition as when I bought it they had used it for small ponies and the partition is wood with no metal reinforcement. IMO if my horse fell in it, which I know is unlikely as hes a good traveller, but I do not think it would withstand his full weigh if he fell on it full force.

I am looking to buy or make a new partition but I would really like to take him out to a dressage comp at the end of the month. If I dont get the partition sorted by then what is everyones opinion on removing the partition and perhaps cross tying him? He will only be traveling 15 mins up the road in it. I dont want to risk his safety for the sake of a comp but I know have heard a few people mention they cross tie with no partition normally. He does not use the partition for constant support when travelling usually.

 

[spaniel]

Difficult one this. I personally would rather travel the horse completely loose in the lorry, remove the partition and let him have room to balance himself.

My worry with cross ties is that you need to have them short so they dont dangle and risk getting a leg over them BUT if the horse were to slip and go down they could end up being too tight and hanging him in the headcollar.

Isnt there anyone with transport you could beg just for this time?

 

[AmyMay]

I have to say I agree with Spaniel - I wouldn't do it personally.

 

[Rambo]

I would just tie up normally and travel without the partition. No different from removing the partition in a trailer and loads of people do that !

I take it the breast bar remains if the partition is removed

 

[vicm2509]

There will be no breast bar as it is partitioned herringbone. I hope I dont sound really stupid but I am not used to all this as I usually share someone elses transport and he just gets tied normally with a normal partition.

No one else on the yard is going to the comp

And as im under 25 im not insured on anyone elses box.

 

[josephinebutter2]

My boy travels in trailer with no partition and cross tied, but the tie rings are very high, so can get away with longer ropes. He tends to stand diagonally and is perfecly still all the way, but when I put the partition in, he strugles to balance.

But then trailers do have a brest bar for the horse to lean on, which most lorries don't have.

If you are travelling a mare with a foal at foot, most people remove the partition, and I haven't heard of any horror stories, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Why don't you try a little trip round the yard or short journey first, where you can just go home if he is not happy?

 

[Rambo]

I don't think i'd want to travel mine herringbone without any partitions tbh

 

[ThomasTank]

I would just travel normally with no partition and tie him up as normal if he is a good traveller as you say. only need a partition if travelling more than one horse i think ?

 

[vicm2509]

Perhaps I will try him like this the but maybe drive him around the yard a few times (you can actually drive in a big circle within our yard) and stand in the storage part so I can see his reaction and if he does move at all. Hes the type of horse to break out in a massive sweat if hes not happy so I should be able to tell after a few laps if he will be ok.

 

[MagicMelon]

I personally wouldnt. Sure, he might well not use a breast bar for support but it would soon come into play if you had to brake hard or whatever! If you can go slowly and super carefully all the way there then maybe it'd be ok. Its really up to you

 

[emmajanerushton]

TBH if you have any concerns re he horses weightfalling or beingin the trailer - DONT DO IT ! seen more than one body and the reminant of trailers and lorrys after horses have been cut out, not nice, complete with gore !!!