Horse fall in trailer- effect on you

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happy_talk

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I apologise if this is long- I will try and keep it all relevant!!
The last time I travelled my horse I got a lift with friends to a competition. I followed behind in my car. The trip there wasn’t ideal, but ok. On the way back my horse started having real problems standing up. I could see her bum dropping down below the height of the ramp. The slightest bend in the road caused her to “disappear”. I was so scared watching her, willing her to stay up- a combination of fear and pain. I didn’t want to watch, but also knew that if I was watching if something “did” happen I could stop the trailer. I should add, we did stop the trailer but there was nothing obvious wrong (boots on ok, no poo to slide on, matting normal), so had no option but to continue. The other horse was rock solid in the trailer.
Then as we were 5 miles from home, the trailer went round a large roundabout (slowly) and she went down. We stopped the trailer immediately and I ran to her. It was so distressing to see her lying curled up on the floor, partly pushing into the other horse’s side (ifor Williams trailer- not solid bottom partition, just rubber). I released her head and she stayed there. We managed to get the other horse out calmly and she was able to avoid my horse. Mine just still laid there quietly. Some friends also stopped and helped with traffic. We swung both halves of the partition away from her, and then she very calmly got up and walked out of the trailer onto the verge of a fairly busy road. Completely chilled out and not bothered at all. Thankfully she wasn’t hurt badly, a badly bruised fetlock, but she was sound.
Being the saint that she is, she reloaded into the other side (right) of the trailer, we continued and then the other horse slipped/ bum dropped (left side). Mine was fine on the right. We decided we couldn’t risk any more, tacked up and hacked the remaining 5 miles home.

But now I have a problem- I will never put her in “that” trailer again, but know it will difficult for me to travel her again. This really hit me yesterday when I was waiting at a junction behind a cattle lorry, they began to rock for a few seconds. The same feelings of panic/terror/fear came flooding back. What do I do to sort my head out? Has anybody had a similar experience?
Cookies and cream if you got this far!
 
Have to say as one of the first ponies we had would not travel in a trailer - same as yours, but never actually went down (I don't think) - we have always had boxes. First one was a very old 2 pony forward facing job that the falling pony was fine in.

After that and an accident with a trailer flipping over a couple of years ago (a friends trailer who I was going to groom for) I wouldn't be able to travel anything of mine in a trailer. It just makes me too nervous. Should add that both horses were fine, but the experience was enough for me.

I don't think the nerves are easy to get rid of. I know everytime I drove my car for a good few months after I felt that it was going to swing out of control and flip over after the experience with the trailer. I don't get that anymore, but can still feel it if I think about it too much.
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you only have 2 choices. Never travel again or you are just going to have to force yourself. take it very slowly, be prepared with all the right tools, allen key, high vis. bandage your horse instead of boots and have sensible people will you for the first few times.

My friend had a bad experience with her horse getting half way over the breast bar in our IW, it took her a while, but she is slowly building her confidence travelling again.

Sounds like something was up with that trailer as both horses slid on the same side. did you check the floor again. had something been spilled, rubber worn or anything? did you lift the mats - was the suspension and tyres ok on that side?
 
yes, I have thought that may be my only way to travel her. Unfortunately that may mean we're "grounded" as I don't have my own transport and rely on lifts from friends who all have trailers!
 
PF fell in a trailer once, having always been the most steady and laid-back of travellers. I had to use the same trailer again some time later and I was absolutely beside myself with worry. I could hear a horse kicking as they left and I ran after the trailer yelling to let her off (it was actually another horse) PF travelled OKish, but took a shoe off
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In your situation I would ask to borrow the trailer and give your girl a few short quiet rides yourself to help you both relax about travelling.
 
The trailer in question is still playing on my mind, and that of my friend who was also in it (we borrowed the trailer to the day). All i can say is that we could find no fault with it, and the owner of trailer has not investigated further (they were told what happened).
 
TBH, if i can borrow another trailer then I think I would need more help than her. It would be me that needs lots of short trips to begin with, but i just don't know if i could do it.
 
Invest in a camera system (cheap wireless one from eBay), only ever travel in a fully vetted trailer and do shorter journeys to build up.

I know its difficult when you are borrowing things, but its not worth the risk to put your horses in an unknown quantity.
 
[ QUOTE ]
My friend had a bad experience with her horse getting half way over the breast bar in our IW.

Sounds like something was up with that trailer as both horses slid on the same side. did you check the floor again. had something been spilled, rubber worn or anything? did you lift the mats - was the suspension and tyres ok on that side?

[/ QUOTE ]

OMG I went cold reading this, this happen to me (quote) went I was younger, my pony went half over the breast bar, scared me to death, I hate putting them in the trailer now but theres no choice if you want to compete. as above, aer you sure there wasn't antthing making them slip? Mane and tail condition etc can be very slippy, was there any bedding down? Maybe some shavings or straw would help?

Your girl sound like a perfect angel, at l least she didn't panic, it could of been allot worse xxx
 
Unfortunately, some horses simply won't travel in a trailer.

Ferds travelled for a long time totally fine in an IW, but on one occasion fell over - after this, he didn't seem to be able to keep balance very well at all, and would destruct his boots and lose shoes within minutes of leaving the yard - investigation from a back person revealed he had some asymetry in the hips which wasn't present before - probably the cause of the problems.

However, after these incidents I would never travel him in a trailer again. Not worth the risk.

I would not buy a trailer in the future either - have known too many people have horrific accidents with the things.
 
Next time you travel take the centre partition out, a lot of horses travel far better when they have more room to spread their legs for balance or position themselves into their preferred stance (often horizontally). It also means that if she does go down then she isn't goind to get trapped by a partition/another horse.

Some horses just don't travel in a trailer well, but I would lay money she will be better with no center partition
 
My old pony used to do this. On every occasion we took her out she could never stand up going round corners. But she was fine in a lorry.

A couple of years ago my friends horse stated to do the same thing so i suggested to try him in a lorry and he was also fine. They then went on to buying a lorry and he has travelled like a dream ever since.
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I would strongle suggest trying him in a box as it worked for me and my friend.

Hugs to you for having to go through this experiance, there is nothing worse than following your horse in a trailer when they cant keep their balance.
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hey you lot- I was after how to get over my fear and you're all telling of trailer horror stories!!
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Re: camera - I don't have a towing vehicle, so would always be able to follow from behind, or do you mean to find out what she's up to?

Re: bedding - There was no bedding down- had thought about this, but then thought straw would be more slippy than rubber?

It may be that she doesn't travel in trailers... i could accept that, but at the moment my biggest question is over "this" trailer. But, as I say, I will be a wreck if/when she travels again.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
My friend had a bad experience with her horse getting half way over the breast bar in our IW.

Sounds like something was up with that trailer as both horses slid on the same side. did you check the floor again. had something been spilled, rubber worn or anything? did you lift the mats - was the suspension and tyres ok on that side?

[/ QUOTE ]

OMG I went cold reading this, this happen to me (quote) went I was younger, my pony went half over the breast bar, scared me to death, I hate putting them in the trailer now but theres no choice if you want to compete. as above, aer you sure there wasn't antthing making them slip? Mane and tail condition etc can be very slippy, was there any bedding down? Maybe some shavings or straw would help?

[/ QUOTE ]

I used to have a pony that would try and get over the breast bar when we came to a standstill. We would tie him up as usual but also tie him with a rope underneath the breastbar so he couldn't get his head up high enough to try and rear. It worked really well and he was fine travelling like that.

Also, definitely a good idea to travel without a partition, my horse much prefers it, he finds it really difficult to balance if he's in a trailer with a partition, but again is fine in a lorry.
 
I had a very very similar experience to you with a horse that I was towing kept going down. The effect it had on me, however, was that I wouldn't tow for about 2 years and still don't really like towing, much prefer driving a lorry but unfortunately I don't have access to either at the moment so a bit of non issue!

My lad was really good and it hasn't ever put him off travelling in either trailer or box. Other pony (that one that went down) was never able to balance himself in a trailer, fine in a box but not a trailer. He was even going down whilst on the straight and quite slowly so it wasn't just about corners or turns. Like your my problems started on the return journey after a very long taxing fun ride. I think the pony wasn't quite fit enough for the hack and was just too tired to stand up properly. Could tiredness be part of the problem??
 
Sounds as though she hasn't got enough space. I had a 16.2 who found the trailer small so I had to travel her without the partition & she was fine like that. The person towing should wind the window down & listen for hooves clattering if they suspect a problem. Altering the way you/they drive can help a lot. I don't think I could let anyone else tow my horses!
 
Re: tiredness- tbh, no. I don't think this was an issue. It was 30min trip to the competition. I did 3 classes, which were well spaced and well within her fitness. In hindsight, the trip there wasn't ideal. her bum dropped a few times (although not as often as the way back) and she came out of the trailer covered in sweat (other horse was fine). at the time we didn't think too much of it- it was a warm day, she lost her feet a few times.... hindsight eh!
 
I hate following my pony in a trailer - much prefer to be the one driving so at least I have some sort of control lol. I've have never had a pony fall over but have been there when others have tried to climb over the breast bar or have even managed to turn around and be hanging over the back door
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Luckly my friend who was driving is VERY calm in these situations - I was talking to myself to calm me down lol - and everything was fine. Exactly how your situation turned out too
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If she loaded again and was fine on the other side I would hope that she will continue to be fine - it sounds like there is a problem with the trailer if the other horse started to have the same problem.

I would try and borrow a different trailer (that you have checked) and take her on some short journeys. Try and be the passenger in the towing vehicle - you should be able to see her through the viewing window if a IW - not sure on other makes - I know that I feel a lot happier doing this rather than following. Make sure you are with someone who doesn't panic. Keep telling yourself it will be okay and relax your shoulders etc. I did all these things when I first started towing earlier this year and feel quite happy to tow now but most people, inc me, always have a little 'what if' voice in their heads - it's natural.

Hope you get over this horrible experience and continue to get out and about
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A friend was towing the trailer. there was nothing wrong in the way he drove- although he blames himself. He could feel it when she had a problem. The passenger did call me to check things were ok- i said to continue and I would beep if there was a problem.
without a partition maybe an option.
 
Thank you all for your comments/advice/help! Suggestions are always welcomed and it's reassuring to know that others have also had problems and solved them/got around them.
 
Hi Happy_talk,
first, no horror stories, ok?

I had a horse that used to do exactly as you describe, but not to the point of falling down.
One day, after a particularly bad episode, I found that the trailer tyres were a little soft. Pumping the tyres up to their correct pressure made all the difference in the world.

What others have said about having room to spread the back legs is very true, but in your case, it is interesting that two separate horses will have problems on one side of the trailer only.

Worth checking the tyres next time. Difficult I know, if it's not your trailer, but at least it's easy to fix.
 
Hey I just wanted to say that it might be really playing on your mind now but you will get past it.
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I wont tell you the details of another horror story but basically my horse had a bad experience in a trailer, the partition fell on him. I wasnt towing him at the time, it was a friend. Well that was probably about 4 years ago. I then decided to buy myself a lorry as in my mind this would be better for him, well would he go in it - NO! lol.
So I then started taking him just to local places in my friends trailer that didnt have a parition and he was nervous but coped with it. With lots of practice the better we both got. It was awful to begin with but my mates really helped me with it. They sort of made me realise that sometimes I was more stressed about the travelling than my horse was and I was the one that needed to chill out!lol.

We are now at the stage that I have bought my own trailer and can take him out in it even with the partition in it (although he does prefer not to have the partition understandably)
Dont get me wrong I still feel sick everytime I think about loading him but we deal with it. If it is just 'that' trailer that your more worried about then I wouldnt use it for a while as it could be you would worry more using that trailer than you would another one. Maybe try travelling in a different trailer to build up both your confidence and then go back to try 'that' trailer. Also use lots of rescue remedy - it really calms me down. Also leave lots of time to get anywhere so your not rushed and stressed.
Good luck and I hope everything works out..
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I borrowed and ifor trailer and my oh was towing it with my mare on board and i was following it, the first left hand bend we went round the partition collapsed, my oh stopped and i ran over and she was fine just looking for sweets!! I unloaded her and lead her home, luckily no injuries, the next journey out same trailer again i was following and we went round the bend and the top of partition came un done!! so again unloaded and walked home, so my oh bought me my own trailer (not an ifor!!) i took partition out, added a breastbar and also fitted cctv and touch wood she has travelled well ever since, but i have also stopped using travel boots and she seems much happier. Ive watched her during journeys and she is very stable and always stands to the right of the trailer and does not seem concerned at all, it does take practice though and it will take quite a few journeys before you feel better etc but you will do given time.

ETS I felt physically sick at the mention of trailer and travelling and my nerves were frazzled, but now im soo much better as i know she is fine travelling.
 
I was about to suggest the partition thing too - have known a couple of horses that won't travel with it in. One in particular does exactly what your horse did - throws herself to the side and sort of slides down the wall.
 
Heya, I admit to knowing nothing about trailers but just by reading your first post the first thing that springs to mind isn't necceserily that your horse has problems travelling as you comment that BOTH horses did the "dipping" thing on that sidea and both were rock steady when standing on the other side. Also sounds like your mare was very good to reload after she'd gone down - I'd try a different trailer and take it slowly for you as much as her.
 
I would suggest trailer tyre pressures too. Having done a lot of towing last week with Pony Club Camp, my two who are usually excellent happy travellers started to get a bit "jumpy" in the trailer. At first I thought it was a bit of nipping going on so put in the bite guard again, but that didn't stop it. Then the following day I checked and then pumped up the tyres and they were back to normal happy travellers again.

It may have been as simple as that seeing as how the other horse was affected the same when you switched them over.
 
My horse had only ever travelled in a wagon before I got him but like most I couldnt afford to run a wagon so we tried him my trailer, he travelled okish for a few journeys without the partition but then freaked. It was a 505 and to be honest at 16.2 probably needed the 510, so we bought a large new type Richardson. He was awful, tried to come through the Jockey door, bent the rear ramp and was just so nervous although he never refused to load bless him.. So for the last year weve been nowhere. Last weekend I picked up my very own wagon. Im in the process of learning to drive it .. scary
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but am dreading trying him in it as he has loaded into my friends and is a dithering wreck. I hate myself for wrecking his confidence but fingers crossed we will get there. I know how you feel about travelling, I hate it but it has to be done if you want to go anywhere. Good luck
 
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