First time owning a trailer, horse uptight

[NikKnock]

Hi there, I've had my green nine year old thoroughbred 9 months, we're coming on leaps and bounds in our connection and trust, hacking, schooling a bit of low level jumping (I'm not young!) and have also attended a few clinics, fun rides and two shows jumping - getting there has been a 3.5 ton lorry travelling alone or getting a lift in a trailer with a friends horse. We did have trouble loading him but I have patiently got him over that and he loads fine. However I've just got myself a two horse Ifor Williams trailer with the view to take him places alone. I'm feeding him in there and he's going in fine, so yesterday I shut him in with a hay net and he was not at all happy, pushing back and forth on the breast bar. He's the sort of horse who suffers with separation anxiety but doesn't nap and it seemed like when I stepped out of the tailer to close up he was anxious about me leaving him. I quick sharp opened up and led him out the front, but he was a bit bargy. I use a monty Roberts dually so can gain control. My question is should I just drive? ie. Do horses tend to settle and accept the situation once on the move? He has in the past- a bit sweaty but nothing silly.

 

[kathantoinette]

Personally I just drive. I had one years ago that was anxious going in the trailer and up until we set off was rather unsettled.
Make sure you are organised and have absolutely everything ready before you load, then shut the ramp and go.
Have a haynet hung, get a camera if it makes you feel better (but it is against the law to keep it on whilst driving, I flick mine on for a moment if I hear any banging/clattering). Maybe plan some short journeys to start with ideally with a friend at the other end who can be there to meet you.
Don’t let him get in the habit of rushing/barging out. If he’s a foodie take something for him to snack whilst standing before calmly walking him out.
Good luck ?

 

[Orangehorse]

If necessary you can get a mirror to fit in the trailer so they have a companion!

Start by short journeys and go somewhere nice, like for a hack, so travelling becomes part of everyday life rather than going to a stressful show.

 

[NikKnock]

Personally I just drive. I had one years ago that was anxious going in the trailer and up until we set off was rather unsettled.
Make sure you are organised and have absolutely everything ready before you load, then shut the ramp and go.
Have a haynet hung, get a camera if it makes you feel better (but it is against the law to keep it on whilst driving, I flick mine on for a moment if I hear any banging/clattering). Maybe plan some short journeys to start with ideally with a friend at the other end who can be there to meet you.
Don’t let him get in the habit of rushing/barging out. If he’s a foodie take something for him to snack whilst standing before calmly walking him out.
Good luck ?

That's amazing and just what I wanted to hear thank you.

 

[NikKnock]

If necessary you can get a mirror to fit in the trailer so they have a companion!

Start by short journeys and go somewhere nice, like for a hack, so travelling becomes part of everyday life rather than going to a stressful show.

Thank you, brilliant, I'll get a stick on mirror, and I've arranged to drive a short way to a friend's up the road to meet her for a hack.

 

[JBM]

I found that my tb was nervous in the trailer because it was darker! Same thing when doors were open he was fine but when closed he got nervous
He was so used to lorry’s with lots of windows
Maybe a light?
What I did was let him have a tasty lick and closed the side door first then then Back one for a few minutes
He’s a lot better now

 

[NikKnock]

Hi there, thank you yes, it's the dark I've discovered. He loads and is happier with the front ramp open and I've put sticky back mirrors in a couple of places too so he has "company". Getting there, ? thanks.