Horse can't get its balance in the trailer

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Studdy

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5 year old marwho has travelled in a wagon and more recently in a trailer has now decided that she cant balance and is falling all over the place as soon as we start the engine, please can anyone help? We have taken partition in and out and I think loading is not the problem, its the falling all over the place! desperately need some help anybody!:confused:
 
We have a horse who did this. You need to get back to basics to get their confidence back- feeding in trailer and then building up to short trips etc. Try bandages rather than boots - drive very slowly especially on corners. A calmer may also help.
 
We had a similar problem with a pony who had previously travelled well. We taught the pony to move its hindquarters over from a touch with a dressage whip and took the partition out the trailer. Then we travelled very slowly in the trailer (on a private drive) and when he started to panic got him to move. He quickly realised that he could move and balance in the bigger space. We also worked out that he liked to be tied loosely so he could look behind. He went on to be really easy to load and travel - don't give up. We did have a professional to help us because after the initial problem I was far too tense to think rationally about the solution.

I agree with Merlin about travel boots. Racehorses are often travelled naked, do what works for your horse.
 
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Our mare started doing this last year on the way home from a show .She had never had a problem before. She just started to fall over every time we turned left!We took the partition out so she could spread her legs and angle her backend more and she is fine.
 
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Thanks everyone, we have done the confidence thing and she had been going in/out no problem, then moved onto next stage, putting side ramp up then the back. All was going ok till we hooked up the trailer as soon as we started the engine she began falling all over, we hadn't even moved. As we have 2 horses we left partition in but will start again tomorrow without it. Is cross tying a good idea? We know short trips are the answer but at mo we can't move a yard?
 
Can you try a rear facing trailer? My horse suddenly started falling over when travelling forwards, despite travelling happily forwards for years. However I bought an Equi Trek and he is completely happy in that, doesn't fall over, sweat up etc.

It was an expensive change but I felt it was worth the extra cost.
 
I had the same problem and found my mare cannot travel kerbside. Apparently this is not uncommon as it gives a totally different ride, my mare looked drunk she was ust collapsing like you say as soon as the engione started. Very scary. Fine drivers side. Good luck
 
Our mare can't travel on the right hand side. We think it is because when we had a lorry in which she travelled side facing she used to lean against the partition on her right side. We now travel her on the left of the trailer and she is fine.
 
Thank you- we just bought brand new 506 so different trailer wouldn't be the preference but going to try without partition tomorrow so will keep u posted!!
 
I'm interested to hear how you get on as this happened to us for the first time yesterday with a horse who has never had a problem. We couldn't work out what was going on, then realised he was falling every time we turned right. :eek: will try travelling him on the other side and see if that makes a difference
 
Our horse who is a bad traveller - we found that he struggled on corners where he felt he was being pushed to the outside - he leans against the partition - we now travel him on one side on the way out and the other on the way back to limit the corners he struggles with. He now travels fine.
 
Taking the partition out worked for my mare - she just needed to spread her back legs a bit more.

Have a CCTV really helped me work out what was the most comfortable way for her to travel - they aren't particularly expensive.

Finally, if taking the partition out then I would definately cross tie as they can get themselves in a muddle trying to turn round - also I shut the side of the back top door nearest the centre of the road as lorries, etc overtaking seem to disturb her a bit.
 
If taking the partition out works, make sure before you go anywhere to get full width breast and breach bars for safetys sake. They are available from the manufacturer of the trailer.

If she is collapsing at the start of the engine, I would see if she will go near the trailer while its hitched and running, then if ok will she stand on the ramp, then load while its still running? I wonder if she doesnt like the vibrations, and that to me points to pain. Has she recently been diagnosed with spavins or arthritis? Or perhaps she could do with a vet MOT herself.

What is she wearing on her legs? Perhaps that isnt helping. I would see if brushing boots, over reach and knee boots work better for her than travelling or bandages. Is she ok being walked around on solid ground in her travel wear? I guess its just possible that a nylon travel sheet, headcollar etc could be causing static electricity, which could explain why its when it is when you start the engine and the vibrations start? From that point of view, perhaps get the trailer serviced, perhaps there is an electricity fault somewhere? Just trying to think outside the box! Hope you get it sorted. :)
 
We had this problem too, we partially solved it by taking the partition out but she was never happy in the Ifor Williams trailer. I did a lot of research and it seems the suspension in the Ifor does not suit every horse and they seem (IMHO) more likely to have a problem in IW. We bought a Richardson rear facing trailer, cost a bomb but she travelled very happily in it. She is now with someone else who travels her in a small Richardson without a partition and she has coped fine in there too.
Not what you wanted to hear re IW but at least if yours is new you should get most of what you paid back if you sell it. Could you borrow a different type of trailer and see how she is?
 
That wouldn't explain where they have been fine in an Ifor and then it starts happening which Is what has happened for many of the posters. My horse has travelled in same way for 3 years no problems until now.
 
Thanks - yes she been in wagon before and previous owner says she was OK, travelled twice before in IW and OK - She is 5 and had full 5* vetting before we bought her in Dec so I dont think there is any pain/arthritus there as it would have shown up and also she is very good and shows no sign of any problems when riding her in all disciplines. If I sold the trailer I wouldnt buy another, I would have to go with a wagon, but need to borrow one first to see if she any better. Trying without partition later and have borrowed full back and breast bars so we'll see. she is calm and good in every other way, this is very frustrating as a stunning horse that could win loads if we could just get her there!!! will update later..
 
Well- today was a very good day! Took the partition out, put full breat/back bars in and bit shaky to start but managed a short 1 mile round trip. This was great as first time we could even move with her! Hopefully, we can repeat tomorrow.
 
Yay - for me it worked like magic and also my horse became easier to load .... poor thing all those years she had been trying to tell me!!!

It makes me a little bit cross sometimes - I spent a fortune on 'experts' on how to get my horse to load/travel happily and none of them ever mentioned taking out the partitions - that nugget came from HHO. For all its faults it can be a great resource!
 
We had this problem years ago with my OH's HW hunter. Having always travelled well in the trailer, one day he just started panicking as soon as he was on. He loaded fine, but immediately he was on he started scrabbling up the sides and panicking (this was before ramps were up or engine on!)

I tried literally everything - different side, no partitions, gradual conditioning, you name it. In the end, we gave up and brought a lorry and he travelled happily on that for years until he retired.

I am PRETTY sure it was my OH's driving that did it - I regularly reminded him that the trailer had to be fully straightened out after a turn BEFORE accelerating (but men NEVER listen!!)
 
Another successful trip! No partition, loosely cross tied. We have v bumpy lane from stables which she handled well, let's hope we on right road!!
 
Studdy said:
Another successful trip! No partition, loosely cross tied. We have v bumpy lane from stables which she handled well, let's hope we on right road!!
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Excellent news :) As I said I had no problems with my mare after we took the partition out. She had travelled on the left previousy,l prefered it that way (would load herself) After the bad experience I had the vet and Chiro out and they couldnt find anything wrong, she had been travelling fine for years.
 
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