Ideas to calm a horse in transit and at show

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julesbeee

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Hello. Just wondering what people have found helps a horse to travel who kicks a lot and very hard when travelling on slower roads, causing marks and potential damage to box and him. He settle once on faster roads. He also got overwhelmed at a show yesterday and we had to abandon the classes and that was after standing grazing chilled for 40 minutes. Got so wound up he was nearly bucking me off, Then took 2 hours to load again. Anything to add to transport to prevent his kicks damaging? Can I cover his feet/shoes? Wear a hood? Any sort of calming rugs etc? Please let me know your tried and tested ideas. Thanks
 
Any of those might help your box, but won't help the horse particularly.

He's clearly finding it all very stressful at the moment, so you need to work on that.

Red on here once described the process she goes through if she has one that is tricky to load or travel. It's a long process and you need buckets of patience, but the end result is an relaxed horse that looks forwards to outings.

Hopefully she'll be along soon to explain what she does. 🙂
 
He doesn't sound like he can cope with showing right now, in your shoes I'd break it down and get him comfortable with the box/loading first, then travelling, then being at a show but not doing anything except being there, then actually entering things. And it might take a while but be worth it in the long run.
 
Two obvious things to consider are driving style and soundness. A lot of horses with hock/back end issues struggle to travel comfortably. Both that and a hurried/choppy driving style might account for his being better on the faster (straighter, smoother) roads.
 
FieldOrnaments said:
He doesn't sound like he can cope with showing right now, in your shoes I'd break it down and get him comfortable with the box/loading first, then travelling, then being at a show but not doing anything except being there, then actually entering things. And it might take a while but be worth it in the long run.
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He has travelled lots and we have been to a showing clinic a couple of months ago with no issues. He loaded fine there and back, few kicks on slow roads then settles once travelling faster and settled well there in an indoor arena with seating and mirrors, none of which he had seen before in a new venue.
 
Burnttoast said:
Two obvious things to consider are driving style and soundness. A lot of horses with hock/back end issues struggle to travel comfortably. Both that and a hurried/choppy driving style might account for his being better on the faster (straighter, smoother) roads.
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I used a very good transporter with a 3.5t box that he has travelled in before with no issue (and same company). Driving was very slow and careful on slower roads. I think it's just anxiety when leaving and returning home and anticipation of getting off for his home again. I wouldn't have been concerned but I was worried he would damage the box and himself. He doesn't have back or hock issues. Been assessed and treated by professionals regularly afterwards with chiro and massage etc
 
julesbeee said:
I used a very good transporter with a 3.5t box that he has travelled in before with no issue (and same company). Driving was very slow and careful on slower roads. I think it's just anxiety when leaving and returning home and anticipation of getting off for his home again. I wouldn't have been concerned but I was worried he would damage the box and himself. He doesn't have back or hock issues. Been assessed and treated by professionals regularly afterwards with chiro and massage etc
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It's not really possible to say that a horse has no issues on the basis of physical therapies. Without a lot of veterinary input many niggling issues can be extremely difficult to find, but if no one looks for them they definitely won't find them. Have any recent investigations been done eg nerve blocks/scans?
 
Burnttoast said:
It's not really possible to say that a horse has no issues on the basis of physical therapies. Without a lot of veterinary input many niggling issues can be extremely difficult to find, but if no one looks for them they definitely won't find them. Have any recent investigations been done eg nerve blocks/scans?
Click to expand...
 
Burnttoast said:
It's not really possible to say that a horse has no issues on the basis of physical therapies. Without a lot of veterinary input many niggling issues can be extremely difficult to find, but if no one looks for them they definitely won't find them. Have any recent investigations been done eg nerve blocks/scans?
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Why would I have extensive/expensive vet input on a horse who doesn't present with any physical issues? He was vetted and has had regular physical therapies for maintenance. We have flat lessons, hack out regularly etc and he has never present with any issues. If he did then he would be looked at. The behaviour he present with was more anxiety based, hence asking if anyone had any tried and tested methods to progress with settling him. I appreciate your input, but suggesting a scan on a well horse doesn't seem necessary.
 
We had a stallion years ago that kicked in the box when stood at show grounds. It wasn't really an option to have him off the lorry tied up for long periods of time due to him being an entire standing at stood (he knew the job). We gave him lots of stuff to entertain him and put carpet on the wall of the lorry behind him. Eventually he settled, but it took a lot of time and patience. Getting to the show ground just in time for his class (one class no waiting around) then load him up and leave. Then gradually start to hang around a bit after the class before leaving. It was a long time before we could enter an in hand a ridden class on the same day as there was a lot of waiting around between, but eventually he got to the point where he would doze on the lorry while we competed with other horses.

These days there are lots of calming 'things' you can feed your horse to help with anxiety prior to the show - a livery of mine used calming cookies for big events. But this is a bit trial and ever to work out the best way to feed them for your horse. She found 1 the night before, 1 the morning of the event and 1 on arrival at the event.

The key to getting a pony used to new things is little and often and knowing when to push the comfort zone and by how much. Do you have your own transport? standing on the box at home for a hay net or a small feed might be a good starting point.
 
dorsetladette said:
We had a stallion years ago that kicked in the box when stood at show grounds. It wasn't really an option to have him off the lorry tied up for long periods of time due to him being an entire standing at stood (he knew the job). We gave him lots of stuff to entertain him and put carpet on the wall of the lorry behind him. Eventually he settled, but it took a lot of time and patience. Getting to the show ground just in time for his class (one class no waiting around) then load him up and leave. Then gradually start to hang around a bit after the class before leaving. It was a long time before we could enter an in hand a ridden class on the same day as there was a lot of waiting around between, but eventually he got to the point where he would doze on the lorry while we competed with other horses.

These days there are lots of calming 'things' you can feed your horse to help with anxiety prior to the show - a livery of mine used calming cookies for big events. But this is a bit trial and ever to work out the best way to feed them for your horse. She found 1 the night before, 1 the morning of the event and 1 on arrival at the event.

The key to getting a pony used to new things is little and often and knowing when to push the comfort zone and by how much. Do you have your own transport? standing on the box at home for a hay net or a small feed might be a good starting point.
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this is exactly what we are doing with olly atm.

time it to arrive, get him off immediately and gradually extend the hanging around at the other end of the day when he has worked and is more settled.
 
Hallo2012 said:
this is exactly what we are doing with olly atm.

time it to arrive, get him off immediately and gradually extend the hanging around at the other end of the day when he has worked and is more settled.
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We were the same with my horse who had racedfor seven years so was pretty much used to arriving and getting off the box at the racecourse and going into a stable so very different environment. Initially it was pretty much a case of I was dropping the ramp to get him out before my partner had turned the engine off. Strangely he would stand quietly at services if we stopped for any reason but not once you got to the show or at home. He did put a dent in the side of the lorry kicking and we reinforced it. It took a long time and a lot of patience and when he first came off the lorry, he would be hand walked for some time to relax but now he stands happily even at an away show when I have to go and book in, sort out the stable, etc. Just a considerable amount of time spent with him getting him to relax about it and that there was nothing exciting going on although sometimes there is!
 
julesbeee said:
Why would I have extensive/expensive vet input on a horse who doesn't present with any physical issues? He was vetted and has had regular physical therapies for maintenance. We have flat lessons, hack out regularly etc and he has never present with any issues. If he did then he would be looked at. The behaviour he present with was more anxiety based, hence asking if anyone had any tried and tested methods to progress with settling him. I appreciate your input, but suggesting a scan on a well horse doesn't seem necessary.
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because kicking at the box and an unwillingness to load can be the first signs of problems perticularly if they have previously been fine.

It was the first sign something was wrong with my last horse, he turned out to have juvinile arthritis in his spine, perticulalry around his pelvis and poll. he was 6 years old and initiallly absolutley sound and placing in HOYS qualifiers. he went downhill rapidly but the first sign was him kicking at the box and striking at it with his front feet.
 
With health issues ruled out.

A stressed traveller and hot/anxious type away from home simply needs to do more of it until he gets over himself. The way I tackled my tricky horse who was a Welsh D, was to box him a short distance unload and hack home, repeat and repeat gradually increasing the travel time and then add in meeting another horse for a hack, load up and come home, then add in a low key show etc etc.

I actually caused the problem in my horse because I only wanted him for cubbing and hunting which blew his brains as a young horse and he associated the load up/travel with hunting. I had to undo it all and start again. I learnt from that error with all my other young horses.
 
does he wear travel boots? one of mine is a poppet to load, travels well and i take her out on my own regularly - but doesn’t like back boots and will kick the box a couple of times going slowly, i now only make her wear them if it’s a longer journey. learnt the hard way not to travel in hind brushing boots! thought she’d be happier as she’s fine to ride in them, thought wrong😂

my lily is very much a special girl though! she’s very particular and we’ve already been through veterinary investigations & different transport options. we did a lot of work making loading a non-event, and to begin with she’d still have a strop at waiting on the box; she’s been going to the water treadmill and to begin with when i’d chuck her back on whilst i went to pay & rebook etc she’d stomp about and strike out with her front feet - very much “why am i on here if we’re not moving”, i just ignored her and didn’t acknowledge it until she’d settled, ramp still down so i knew she wasn’t in danger or having a complete meltdown.

it’s difficult if you don’t have your own transport, but it sounds like it was all a bit much for your boy, i’d work on them as 2 separate issues, get him comfortable loading/unloading & travelling short journeys, then work on the show environment! have a look for some show clinics in your area to take the pressure off both of you, arena hires with 1 other horse etc. lily has always been pretty solid travelling but needed a lot of exposure with no expectations when we got there - i’ve found she’s much happier tootling round a dressage ring at our local show than in an actual showing class!

if anyone at your yard has transport, i used to load them a couple of times going to/from the field, incorporate it into their daily routine before something nice happens, but it was easy for me as my box is parked across from the field😂
 
dorsetladette said:
We had a stallion years ago that kicked in the box when stood at show grounds. It wasn't really an option to have him off the lorry tied up for long periods of time due to him being an entire standing at stood (he knew the job). We gave him lots of stuff to entertain him and put carpet on the wall of the lorry behind him. Eventually he settled, but it took a lot of time and patience. Getting to the show ground just in time for his class (one class no waiting around) then load him up and leave. Then gradually start to hang around a bit after the class before leaving. It was a long time before we could enter an in hand a ridden class on the same day as there was a lot of waiting around between, but eventually he got to the point where he would doze on the lorry while we competed with other horses.

These days there are lots of calming 'things' you can feed your horse to help with anxiety prior to the show - a livery of mine used calming cookies for big events. But this is a bit trial and ever to work out the best way to feed them for your horse. She found 1 the night before, 1 the morning of the event and 1 on arrival at the event.

The key to getting a pony used to new things is little and often and knowing when to push the comfort zone and by how much. Do you have your own transport? standing on the box at home for a hay net or a small feed might be a good starting point.
Click to expand...
Sadly I don't have my own transport, hence my worry that he might damage someone's horsebox and himself. Just wish I could get him out more often to do different things. He has travelled fine a few time to move yards and attend a clinic, this show just seemed to fry his brain cells!
 
dottylottie said:
does he wear travel boots? one of mine is a poppet to load, travels well and i take her out on my own regularly - but doesn’t like back boots and will kick the box a couple of times going slowly, i now only make her wear them if it’s a longer journey. learnt the hard way not to travel in hind brushing boots! thought she’d be happier as she’s fine to ride in them, thought wrong😂

my lily is very much a special girl though! she’s very particular and we’ve already been through veterinary investigations & different transport options. we did a lot of work making loading a non-event, and to begin with she’d still have a strop at waiting on the box; she’s been going to the water treadmill and to begin with when i’d chuck her back on whilst i went to pay & rebook etc she’d stomp about and strike out with her front feet - very much “why am i on here if we’re not moving”, i just ignored her and didn’t acknowledge it until she’d settled, ramp still down so i knew she wasn’t in danger or having a complete meltdown.

it’s difficult if you don’t have your own transport, but it sounds like it was all a bit much for your boy, i’d work on them as 2 separate issues, get him comfortable loading/unloading & travelling short journeys, then work on the show environment! have a look for some show clinics in your area to take the pressure off both of you, arena hires with 1 other horse etc. lily has always been pretty solid travelling but needed a lot of exposure with no expectations when we got there - i’ve found she’s much happier tootling round a dressage ring at our local show than in an actual showing class!

if anyone at your yard has transport, i used to load them a couple of times going to/from the field, incorporate it into their daily routine before something nice happens, but it was easy for me as my box is parked across from the field😂
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Thank you. I have travelled him before for a clinic and yard moves twice and he was fine. We were going to do a show class and a low level dressage class which I hoped to do as he wouldn't have others for distraction, but we didn't get that far! He only kicked when leaving and travelling at a slow speed then close to home, so apprehension about leaving and excitement about returning I guess but he was giving it a fair wallop. He doesn't wear anything on his legs as he hadn't previously and I worried that boots or bandages may loosen or move if he was unsettled. I would love to take him somewhere with a friend for a nice trip, but also don't want him to frighten or hurt another horse when sharing a box. At the show, I went to ride him to the rings, even if we just had a look around for experience and he lost his mind. Totally wound up and bucking. I feared I would come off and what would happen if he got loose, so decided not to keep trying. I knew I should have got a dog!
 
julesbeee said:
Thank you. I have travelled him before for a clinic and yard moves twice and he was fine. We were going to do a show class and a low level dressage class which I hoped to do as he wouldn't have others for distraction, but we didn't get that far! He only kicked when leaving and travelling at a slow speed then close to home, so apprehension about leaving and excitement about returning I guess but he was giving it a fair wallop. He doesn't wear anything on his legs as he hadn't previously and I worried that boots or bandages may loosen or move if he was unsettled. I would love to take him somewhere with a friend for a nice trip, but also don't want him to frighten or hurt another horse when sharing a box. At the show, I went to ride him to the rings, even if we just had a look around for experience and he lost his mind. Totally wound up and bucking. I feared I would come off and what would happen if he got loose, so decided not to keep trying. I knew I should have got a dog!
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i always find mine are better off being led to the “action” than ridden, once they see what all the fuss is about they seem to go “oh, okay!” and breathe😂 what was the venue like? i think the “proper” venues can be less overwhelming, but equally a local show on grass seems to get them to chill out pretty quick if they can get their head down to eat! mine both seem to think they’re just going out for a picnic now lol.

lily sometimes still gives the box a random wallop for no apparent reason, i can see on the camera she’s not remotely worried either - i don’t stress about it anymore, but it’s not often and it’s just the one kick!🙈

i’d tackle them as separate issues, work on travelling short distances and just coming home, or stopping off for a snack before going home, and then work on building his confidence out and about - maybe try arena hires, or buddying up with a chilled friend from the yard?
 
The first thing I would do is talk to your vet explain about tge travelling issues and say you want to do a bute trial .
To do this I would give a decent dose of Bute in the evening and then the next morning wait an hour or so and then go for a drive .
If the horse travels well or much better you have a pain problem and you need to deal with that .
Travelling issues are very often caused by lameness issues that no one knows the horse is hiding .
If it’s not pain you have to practise short drives putting a camera in to see what the horse is doing .
Different set ups with petitions etc.
On tension when out and about you just to do as many low key easy outing as you can really go at go everywhere to clinics to every little thing you can get to, it needs to normal to the horse to be in public.
 
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