How to prevent attempts to duck under partition?

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RoughcutDiamond

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The culprit is 14.1 so won't actually fit but I'm a bit concerned he might hurt himself trying. Tried hanging a haynet in the gap today and he just headbutted it out of the way. Wondering if something can be fashioned with a piece of rubber matting or similar and curious how anyone has dissuaded similar behaviour.

It should be said that he self loads but has become terribly impatient once on board - it seems to be excitement rather than stress and he settles no bother once on the move.
 
I forgot to say, CS, that also looking for alternative tying methods as the wee swine is adept at undoing himself - we've got some of those elasticated quick-release bungee ropes if anyone has any opinions/experiences.
 
I use the elastic trailer ties, and got 2 levels of tie rings put in the box so can choose which one according to height of horse. But it will depend on how he travels as our old mare would panic if held tight (even though stretchy) like this. If the haynet is not working, try the flexi plastic (often hanging down on the body part of the partition) in black and failing that get a wooden board that can be swung so can get through, but can be bolted while moving.

Or put him nearest the ramp with the ramp wings put over really quickly :D
 
i'd tie him up short and put him on the end
my friends 14"1 managed to get under my partition once untacked and he just wriggled under , the next time he wasn't so lucky , she'd already tacked him up and he tried again but got stuck because the saddle didn't fit but by the time he got stuck he had no where else to go because his bum swang around under the back partition (so the top of his bum was under the first horses nose) and he was trapped with his head and neck under one and his quarters under the other
i was pinned against the living door by his quarters and saw my life flash before my eyes because he was panicking and i had no way of getting out
luckily he smashed the saddle and broke free but iv'e never put him in the middle again , he always travels on the end now
 
Tried again today. Back partition is preferred option but not possible as needs new long bolt to stop ramp wings opening inwards. Put him in the middle, tied short, haynet at front and back partition too far away for him to get to! I stayed in cab, friend suited and booted him as I was rather nervous, flung him on and I moved off as soon as ramp was up. There was definitely some rocking of the boat as the ramp went up but he travelled quiet as a lamb once on the move and got off the other end (only 20 min journey) with only a little sweat under his mane. Much quieter loading after lesson (knackered!) and travelled home fine. Going again next week and weekly for a couple of months so hopefully it will get boring soon :). Thanks again for replies, off to get bolt and look at doormats to hang tomorrow!
 
Is it a herringbone lorry? I've tied small ponies the wrong way round before (ie. head to the right) so they can't wriggle under the partitions.
 
RH, this is going to sound daft but how would I know it's a herringbone??!! It's yard lorry which I have access to (effectively since I am the only person who can drive it, except YOs hubby, they have said to treat as my own, how lucky am I?) and spent some of my PPI refund getting back on the road. The partitions have an extending arm at the movable end (left as you get on) so I don't imagine there is really any reason I couldn't stand him head to the right. Come to think of it why DO we stand them head to the left????

NN87 - hilarious idea though you have not seen what he does to electric fencing lol!
 
Herringbone is where they face sideways instead of backwards or forwards :)

Can you spend some time in there? I spent some time in with a youngster before with a schooling whip to tap his knees every time they came across as he was pawing outside the partition. I reasoned it was preferable to a few taps with a schooling whip than getting stuck. Or squirt water at him, or rattle a plastic bottle filled with gravel. The sound of that is often enough to stop them doing whatever behaviour you don't want, and they don't associate it with you, So it's win win, and you can do it out of sight of the pony :)
 
Ah, I thought herringbone would have been at a 45 degree angle (blame herringbone in skiing for that oopsie!!). Yeah, it's a herringbone then SF. I can pretty much do as I like with it so spending time in it isn't a problem - might well give the rattle a go. He HAS travelled without this level of excitement before, perhaps naively I'm hoping that, now we have access to working 'box and I intend getting out regularly for lessons, that he will become a little bored by the whole thing once the novelty wears off!
 
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