Help - My new horse and travelling alone

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derricks

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Got my new horse in oct, but havent travelled him until today !!!
Loaded into lorry like an angel travelled very quietly but when I went to unload him he has shaking and was covered in white foam. He would not stand still for me to tack him up in the lorry and when I put the ramp down he was just trying to barge out
He was in such a state that I could not even risk unloading him at the other end as we were not in a secure area. The journey only lasted approx 15 mins, I was only taking him up onto the hills for a nice hack.
I shut the ramp and headed for home.
Got home and he was still in a state, but unloaded and loaded back up with a bit of encouragement 5/6 times.
I saw him travel in a lorry before I bought him but he did travel with another horse then and wasnt even hot at the end of the journey then.
Any suggestions, I want to go out competing this summer and cant take any other horses with me.
 
Have you thought about using a stable mirror in the lorry? There are lots of people on here who have tried them with a great deal of success.
 
More info?

1. Was he travelling forward facing or side-on yesterday (and was this different from when he travelled to you)
2. How far did he travel originally on his journey to you?
3. How wide (in comparison to him) was the partition he was travelling in?
4. Has he done much competition before? (i.e. do you know if he's a regular traveller)
5. Was he wearing a rug and were there any windows/vents open in the lorry?
 
He was facing side on yesterday which is the same as how he travelled with his old owner.

When I went to try him we took him to a xc course which approx 1/2 journey and he travelled for approx 2 hrs when he was delivered to me (both times he had company)

He is only 5 so I am guessing although he has travelled before its always been with company.

He is fully clipped so he did have a rug on but not a thick rug as he is a very warm horse. Windows on both sides of the lory were open.

It has been suggested that I box him every day and take him on a good 1/2 journey up the motorway for 2 weeks. What do you think ?
 
I would start by putting him in the box and feeding him, progressing to closing the ramp.

Them load him with a treat and start engine, leave running for a few mins, switch off, make a fuss of him if he stands quietly.

Slowly build uo to a very short journey. I would avoid the motorway as you can't stop there if you have a proble.

Whilst doing all this training also renfore his 'how to behave alone' behaviour whilst in the stable and being ridden.
 
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Any difference in the partitions of the lorry? I.E skirted versus full partitions?

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No they are the same, 1/2 partitions with room for them to spread their legs. All nicely padded.

Was thinking of giving him more room but am worried he may try and turn around.

The thing is whilst he is travelling he does not move or kick the lorry just shakes and sweats. Once we put the ramp down he was desparate to get out.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would start by putting him in the box and feeding him, progressing to closing the ramp.

Them load him with a treat and start engine, leave running for a few mins, switch off, make a fuss of him if he stands quietly.

Slowly build uo to a very short journey. I would avoid the motorway as you can't stop there if you have a proble.

Whilst doing all this training also renfore his 'how to behave alone' behaviour whilst in the stable and being ridden.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks, its just so not like him, he hacks out alone and has such a calm nature I think it just came as a big shock to me seeing him behave like this.

How often would you practice with him, every day or a few times a week ?
 
I would do it every day, more than once a day until he gets used to it.

Perhaps he is a bit claustrophobic, when the lorry is stationary you could maye leave him loose to see how he prefers to stand, shut the ramp though in case he tries to climb out.

Failing that you will have to get him a little travelling companion.
 
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