Doping horses/foals for transport

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apkelly01

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What are your opinions on doping foals for transport. Wee little Bandit has moved to my sister's OH's place some 130 odd miles away
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(long story!) Anyhow when we tried to move him before Christmas in my new lorry (only had it a week or so!) he basically when riot in it - not helped by my sis panicking and leaving him to trash. He kicked the bejeesus out of the box - tried to jump the breast bar totally dislodging the head partition thingy (which we put in front of him to stop him jumping out), he even took the rail with it! There are little hoof prints on the ceiling (now singing spider pig in my head
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) anyhow, we didn't get far and ended up returning to the stud. Bandit unloaded as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth and was uninjured from his ordeal. He was tied up and was in a small area - we think this may have caused the uproar! Huge apologies to Cascas as she got caught up as well in the chaos!

Yesterday, a guy came to move him. We weren't there when he was being picked up but the stud manager looked after him. We knew he was going have a bit of sedaline to calm him down but from what I can gather so far, I think they gave him too much! (He's only 8 months old!) Apparently he fell a few times in transit, was groggy when he arrived - some 4 - 5 hours later! They have said they keep having to clean his eyes??? Why, what happened to them! Will need to find out what they mean by this. Anyhow, he's starting his new life up with my sis and I will miss him
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A bit of a pointless post really - I think I just needed a rant really but also to ask - how do you transport your youngsters? Do you dope them? thanks for reading.
 
I would never dope for travelling. They normally calm down once on the move and settle, but if they're doped you can't really predict what's goign to happen. What if they 'collapse' and need to lie down?

I think it's more dangerous to sedate them for travelling than not.
 
Our youngster had been on a return vivst to a stud and back wiht her dam, and travelled well.
She had been on short journeys ina trailer, less thna half an hour.
We had to collect her and ahd at elast 4hour journey, so put plenty of shavings on the rubbered floor, a haylage net of her normal haylage and had partions open, so she had plenty of room
She was not tied uo, but had a leather headcollar on, and we had a groom standing in the lving wiht door open, so she could see her and talk to her, forward facing, big stalled lorry
She trevalled well.
Her next trip was in a narrower partition, but the larger of the two, with one of our other horses, again with shavings on the floor, a haylage net, and as it was a bit too anrrow for her ot turn, ehadcollar and rope, whihc I just looped thouhg a tie stringm and stood in front of breastbar, holding the end of it, She was fine, but needed the space to sort her legs and balance out.
We were very lucky, but would give a young horse plenty of space to sort out how they feel best standing, and some hay to chew on.
If there is the chance, travelling with a stable mate or nanny horse who is a good traveller is a big help. If ours ahd not been suhc a long journey for boht ways, or she had not tavelled before, I would have taken our very good traveller along for the ride.
I would not reallyw ant to sedate, as it can make them unsteady, at most, a small dose of Sedalin well before getting them ready and loaded
 
He's travelled before with his dam and was very quiet. He was on his own in my lorry and in the lorry yesterday. I wanted to try him again with no sedation, just block up the front part with hay, take out all partitions and just leave him loose, but my sis wouldn't let me as the guy who picked him up was a friend and she didn't want to tell him no. I was planing on getting up there before he arrived and bring Bandit myself - I wish I had now
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He seems to have settled well into his new surroundings but it still worries me that they are cleaning the gunge?? out of his eyes! I'll find out tomorrow what they mean by gunge (sp)
 
I personally wouldn't dope as I'd worry too much abt them falling over etc. My mare is a nightmare for travelling but once we get going she's busy spending time trying to stay upright to be naughty
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Poor wee lad. Was he travelled with a companion first time round????

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He travelled with his mum to a few shows here and there and was very good. I don't think we'll sedate him in future.
 
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