Help pls! Horse throwing himself about in lorry!!

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charmeroo

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Help please!!!

I've had my tb for almost 2years and he has always been quite excited when I've loaded him in the lorry. He does get a bit anxious travelling and tends to scream a bit. However, 2 weeks ago when loading to go out competing he decided that he wouldn't load and it took 3 of us 20 minutes to persuade him to go in. It's a side ramp with a central partition. He then did his usual thing of throwing himself against the inside of the lorry and the partition, but as usual settled down once we got going. He throws himself about so much that the whole lorry rocks and it is quite frightening!

I decided to practise loading last week - the first time since competing it took me 50 minutes on my own to load him without pressurising him - he had breakfast and dinner in the lorry all week and we seem to have got over the loading issue.

Now, however, I can load him fine but when I close the partition and try to close the ramp etc he throws himself so hard against the partition that it bursts open. He is also kicking out with front and hind feet and also chewed a lump out of the padding in the breast-bar.

I've tried closing the lorry with the engine off - and stood there with him for ages; and tried with the engine running - he actually trotted up the ramp then so he really is not frightened at all!

I've already put in a mirror for him but the only other thing I can think of doing is taking another horse with me but this is something that I really do not want to do as I go to competitions on my own and once I've done this there will be no going back!

Is this is all down to excitement or does he not want to travel?

Has anyone else had a problem like this and what did you do to overcome it?

I know that persisting with loading and trying to close the ramp and take him for a drive is the answer but his reaction is getting so violent - and worsening - I'm worrying about him damaging himself and/or the lorry!
 
I've thought of that but I'm not sure if I can. Would it be a good idea to travel with him just tied up in a large area? I'm a bit worried that he could lose his footing and fall over? Has anyone done this?
 
charmeroo said:
Help please!!!

I've had my tb for almost 2years and he has always been quite excited when I've loaded him in the lorry. He does get a bit anxious travelling and tends to scream a bit. However, 2 weeks ago when loading to go out competing he decided that he wouldn't load and it took 3 of us 20 minutes to persuade him to go in. It's a side ramp with a central partition. He then did his usual thing of throwing himself against the inside of the lorry and the partition, but as usual settled down once we got going. He throws himself about so much that the whole lorry rocks and it is quite frightening!

I decided to practise loading last week - the first time since competing it took me 50 minutes on my own to load him without pressurising him - he had breakfast and dinner in the lorry all week and we seem to have got over the loading issue.

Now, however, I can load him fine but when I close the partition and try to close the ramp etc he throws himself so hard against the partition that it bursts open. He is also kicking out with front and hind feet and also chewed a lump out of the padding in the breast-bar.

I've tried closing the lorry with the engine off - and stood there with him for ages; and tried with the engine running - he actually trotted up the ramp then so he really is not frightened at all!

I've already put in a mirror for him but the only other thing I can think of doing is taking another horse with me but this is something that I really do not want to do as I go to competitions on my own and once I've done this there will be no going back!

Is this is all down to excitement or does he not want to travel?

Has anyone else had a problem like this and what did you do to overcome it?

I know that persisting with loading and trying to close the ramp and take him for a drive is the answer but his reaction is getting so violent - and worsening - I'm worrying about him damaging himself and/or the lorry!
Click to expand...

hiya he sounds like he may be a bit claustrophobic so you have to work on giving him more room i have the opposite horse who i have to peg in as if i give her too much space she moves about and i am a really careful driver and the lorry is very wide . does your lorry mean they have to travel backwards or forwards or herringbone?you could try some calmers for a bit? does he throw himself about as soon as you put him on then as soon as you get going move? if i have any like this i tend to put them on and make sure i get in and go straight away ! have you tried a haynet? tell me more!!
 
I can't say whether what your horse is doing is due to excitement or fear....

My boy Bruce is not scared of travelling at all (IE heart rate normal, not rolling his eyes, not sweating etc) but out of pure impatient behaviour he kicks the living ***** out our lorry.... So...we have had to hobble him. Have you thought about using a pair on yours?

I would say try taking the partition out. BUT....it might make him worse, as he has more room to thrash about?

Disclaimer: Hobbles are not cruel, I am not cruel by using them, I'd just rather he didn't put a foot through the side of our lorry and tear his legs up.
 
Thanks for all your replies! I must admit that hobbling sounds a bit drastic but if it works for you then fine! I think my boy might throw a total
hissy fit at that tho! Not too keen on 'doping' him with sedelin or anything as I think that they need their wits about them when travelling but must admit a small dose might be useful!

And yes - I am beginning to wonder if he is a bit claustraphobic! He loads fine - has a haynet and will eat. The lorry is forward facing and there is a headboard attached to the partition. As he tends to start having a fit once this is closed I wonder whether this headboard is the problem as it gives him a feeling of being closed in. I think that I will try taking this off as the first step and see what happens. The second thing would be to give him more room.
 
Definately try giving him more room. If you can, open windows for him too. It might be worth seeing if you could have a bar made which could replace the partition so he still has something to lean against and keep him in the right spot, but doesn't make him feel quite so penned in :)
 
I would def try with out the head board. My boy was would come off the lorry a big dripping mess and stressed out, we look the solid wood head board off with the view of replacing it with a metal grill but as i normally only travel him i've never bothered. He now travels fine, no stomping, sweating and general throwing himself about. Worth a go.
 
vam said:
I would def try with out the head board. My boy was would come off the lorry a big dripping mess and stressed out, we look the solid wood head board off with the view of replacing it with a metal grill but as i normally only travel him i've never bothered. He now travels fine, no stomping, sweating and general throwing himself about. Worth a go.
Click to expand...

Thanks! - I'm thinking that you may well be right and that this may work with my horse. OH is going to remove the board on Monday so fingers crossed!
 
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