How would you do it ??

Fii

Fii

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how would you prepare a horse that has never been in a lorry/ trailer, for traveling?
We don't have a trailer to practice with, said horse is unbroken and we need to move them in about a months time, only 2.5 miles away but most of this on a fast road, so don't want to lead over.
So what can i do to minamise stress on the day, and make it easier to get him in the lorry. Would it be better to put another in first, then him, or try him first, ( i don't want him to be the last up and then not go in , can't leave him in the field on his own).
I was thinking of getting a large piece of board/ wood to lead him over, to get him used to the ramp, but i don't know if this would help.
Thanks
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Are you planning to travel in boots or anything? I would get them used to wearing them before the journey if so.

As for the actual trailer/lorry journey, not sure TBH, sorry. We hired a trailer to practise with my horse. Firstly practised loading/unloading, then went on v short journeys, gradually getting longer.
 
I'd just concentrate on top quality ground work. Make sure your horse responds promptly and with no fuss to "back up" requests (finger in chest) and "forward" requests (stroke lead rope while not staring horse hard in the eye). Then lay an assortment of stupid stuff on the floor and do the back up/move forward over and over them until your horse thinks you're totally mad and the whole thing is one long yawn. If he's anxious at the beginning, do the back/forward a bit away from the thing on the ground and gradually move towards it. Don't ever rush it or get cross with him. Be prepared to go back a step or two if necessary. Things you can get him walking over or through: plastic sheet on the floor. old rug spread on the floor, sturdy piece of wood on the floor (make sure it's not wobbly), feed sacks, anything. You can be inventive with getting him to walk between: jump wings, upturned water buckets, jackets thrown on the ground, anything! Start fairly wide apart and bring them closer and closer together until, again, your horse thinks you're mad and the whole thing is boring. On trailer day, get there early and do some more of the over/between stuff before the real thing. Don't get anxious yourself. Some horses like to walk ACROSS the ramp before they're brave enough to walk up it. Go with the flow! Good luck x
 
Thank's for that, will start having a play with him.
Was thinking that on the day, i would put one up, then him in the middle with the last one on the back, so that he has someone to follow, but not be the last on, what do you think?
 
all sounds good to me,try not to get over anxious as they are quick to pick it. up also if it were my youngster would travel either naked(legs) or with bandages/brushing boots as opposed to travelling boots as they have a tendancy to slip/spin
 
Don't get anxious? easier said than done, i just whish i could get rid of my OH for the day , he makes matters worse, stresses me out more than the horses ever do.
 
Travel loose in the trailer with no partition but breastbar in place. If you struggle to load use a feed bucket and just place it in the trailer so he will go in. Put plenty of bedding down and drive very steadily. We took partitions out of our wagon and made 2 'double' spaces when we had to travel 4 youngsters, travelled 2 in each and they were fine but have travelled in the trailer the same way with youngsters but alone and in pairs.
 
Don't worry too much! Lots of leading and in-hand work as suggested above - and on the day - take your time and don't try to rush him, but be positive!!

I like a trailer for first loading lessons. Had a 3 year old going to his new home last week - never travelled. We put him on the trailer a couple of times - just on and off - only a few minutes hesitation the first time. Then the lorry turned up (2 days later).

We parked it downhill (to lessen the steepness of ramp) and he strolled up as if he had been doing it all his life! This is normal for most of our youngsters. If they HAVEN'T travelled, they have NO reason to be bad to load!!
 
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