Horse won't travel please help

Samboy1004

Samboy1004

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 July 2011
Messages
81
Location
Essex
Visit site
Help my mare used to be so good traveling in a trailer but now she goes on but soon as u start up the car or move she goes mental chucking her self about scuffed her legs last night trying really don't know what to do please help (Essex)
 
Firstly I suggest trying her in a different trailer to see if there is something about yous she doesn't like, then if that is the same try travelling without the partition cross tied.
Also review if you have made any changes like different travel boots etc, as sometimes particularly if it's warm they can make the legs hot and the horse restless. Im sure lots of people will be able to add more advice.
 
I would first of all check that the floor is totally sound and that nothing odd is happening when you are moving (get someone to drive and you go in there - carefully obviously with no horse) then make sure any travel boots etc fit or possibly try without and also make sure there is enough room for horse to spread legs to balance and that you arnt tying up so tight that she cant use head/neck to balance - I would also try removing partitions to see if this helps (you will need full width breast/breech bars)

If all that fails then get her back etc checked to make sure she is in no discomfort.

I had major loading issues which we eventyally got over so know how frustrating it can be. Good luck

just seen iconiqu's post and agree trying another trailer a good idea too
 
Hi

how long have you had her for? Has she had a bad journey at all (arrived at venue/home sweated up or nervous, or heard any crashing about in the trailer while moving?)

As said before, get your trailer checked, especially the floor. Try her in another trailer & also could try without a partition (you will need a single breast bar)

If all this fails, get a vet out to check her over as it could be a problem with her back, hocks, feet, ears.........................the list goes on.........

I take it that whoever does the driving is doing a good job? I believe that most travelling problems are caused by not always giving the horse the most comfortable ride.

Good luck.
 
I have had her for a year we took her to a show last year she traveled like a dream was such a good girl and the show so relaxed even falling a sleep in a showing class lol then all of a sudden she started barging her head in to me and running round in circles so had to take her home she went crazy in the trailer on the way home I think she might of got stung by a wasp in her ear that day but from then on she won't travel anymore I really don't know !!!!'nn
 
Samboy1004 said:
I have had her for a year we took her to a show last year she traveled like a dream was such a good girl and the show so relaxed even falling a sleep in a showing class lol then all of a sudden she started barging her head in to me and running round in circles so had to take her home she went crazy in the trailer on the way home I think she might of got stung by a wasp in her ear that day but from then on she won't travel anymore I really don't know !!!!'nn
Click to expand...

I think that's your answer. She remembers that bad experience & perhaps associates the trailer with being in pain, if you've not had her back in it since she just remembers it as being 'bad'.
I'm afraid that it will take a long time & lots of patience & reassurance to get her over this.

Do you have your own trailer? I would start by leading her through it, 3 or 4 times, don't make a fuss about it. If she is happy you could then gradually work up to putting the bars up & then the ramps, one at a time over a few days. She can have a haynet & a few small treats if she stands still & calmly. Once you have this you can start the engine but don't move anywhere. Only once she will happily stand & eat on the trailer with the engine running can you attempt a very short, very SLOWLY driven, local journey. It might be that you just go for a 10 min drive then back to the yard or a 10 min drive & meet a friend & hack back. You will really need to work at this every day. I would hope to be able to do a 'proper' trip (still only half an hour or so) after 2-3 weeks.

You might need to get some professional help.

Good luck.
 
is she with another horse? my horse has always been absolutly perfect with traveling with another horse but i took her on her own and she got herself into a state..yours might have the same problem. if not maybe try getting her settled with the car running but not moving anywhere. i havent got to much experience with traveling but its a faze a lot of horses go through you just need to take it slowely
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top