introducing a yearling to travelling

[Fairynuff]

how did you do it? My yearling was doped before she was loaded to come to me-apart from that she hasnt travelled since. I have had her up and down the ramp many times and there is no issue with loading, problem is that we havent had the time to take her anywhere. We have a horse box for 2, would you take down the partition or leave it? Would you treat her as though she was a seasoned traveller? If not, what would you do? I can load up her fieldmate Tom and go for a spin with both but would it be better to travel her on her own (she will be alone in the future)? The road out of here is all downhill curves for the first 20 mins then its all motorway. Help! Thanks, Mairi.

 

[Fairynuff]

all ears!

 

[Cliqmo]

Hi Mairi!

I haven't had any experience with a yearling but I can explain what I did when I bought my 4yr old (who was VERY weak and had only travelled a handful of times) if that helps??

I used my Mum's Ifor Williams 510 and pushed the partition to one side but kept it in there and secured it in place once he was loaded (I thought that being weak and unaccustomed to travelling he would need something to balance against)

I always cross tie him so he can't flail around too much and also because it stops him being able to look backwards (and get his head stuck!) and I also shut the top doors on the trailer as (A) my friend lost a foal which jumped the back doors on an old trailer and had to be destroyed because of its injuries and (B) Bentley isn't 100% in traffic and I didn't think being able to see the traffic coming past would reassure him at all..although I guess this isn't relevant with a lorry anyway

Also, perhaps contraversially, I don't use travel boots on him. This is because he isn't accustomed to wearing them and I thought they would stress him- because he travels alone and isn't shod I don't think he can injure himself too badly.

Hope this helps?

 

[christine48]

The first few times we tend to travell with a companion then bite the bullet and take them on their own. It's as much for the loading at the other end (if it's a show) as anything the travelling never seems to be a problem.

 

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

I asked this same question!
The yearling I bought had been in a trailer with mum but only for a few hundred yards.
We have an Equitrek and she loaded (OH placing her feet on ramp until she ended up in the trailer!) and then tied her normally and gave her a normal sized space. We let her stand in it with the ramp down for 5 mins to get used to it, we also have a solid partition.
We travelled her about 45 mins home and although she did have a bit of a yucking against being tied up paddy - when she realised she couldnt get free she gave up and stood like a professional.
We have a camera so could keep my eye on her

She stood for a minute when we unloaded her but calmly walked off.
I would say if yours is reasonably well handled and will tie up then travel how you normally would then at least she will get used to the whole proceedings

Good luck

 

[sallyellis]

Well having travelled my yearling today for the first time since she was delivered to me, we loaded her field mate first as we were going to a show then she went on with a little persuasion and off we went no problems the show was only 10 minutes away but she came off cool as a cucumber and went back on and travelled home perfectly. Not a text book way to do it but it worked for us good luck with yours.

 

[Fairynuff]

Agree with you on the boots. I hate the things and would much rather bandage and use over reach boots if needed. I hate seeing horses loading up like theyve just pee'd their knickers and then stamping about stressed by the damn things

Your Bentley has turned into a lovely chunky lad! Mairi.

 

[air78]

I travel mine in a two horse box with the partition removed and cross tie them. I'd take her out on a 20-30 min circular route for practice. It needs to be long enough for her to stop stomping around (just in case)and get into the swing of it, but not so long that she get's tired. I'd also go for no boots. Be prepared for an exciting unloading....... I've found they often try to jump the ramp coming off.

Good luck

 

[Fairynuff]

[ QUOTE ]
Well having travelled my yearling today for the first time since she was delivered to me, we loaded her field mate first as we were going to a show then she went on with a little persuasion and off we went no problems the show was only 10 minutes away but she came off cool as a cucumber and went back on and travelled home perfectly. Not a text book way to do it but it worked for us good luck with yours.

[/ QUOTE ]
But will she travel next time round without him?

Im frightened to 'spoil' her

It gets so complicated when its your 'own' youngster

. M.

 

[Fairynuff]

[ QUOTE ]
The first few times we tend to travell with a companion then bite the bullet and take them on their own. It's as much for the loading at the other end (if it's a show) as anything the travelling never seems to be a problem.

[/ QUOTE ]
For the moment mine loads like a 'dream'-Im worried about the downhill winding roads

. M

 

[Fairynuff]

[ QUOTE ]
I asked this same question!
The yearling I bought had been in a trailer with mum but only for a few hundred yards.
We have an Equitrek and she loaded (OH placing her feet on ramp until she ended up in the trailer!) and then tied her normally and gave her a normal sized space. We let her stand in it with the ramp down for 5 mins to get used to it, we also have a solid partition.
We travelled her about 45 mins home and although she did have a bit of a yucking against being tied up paddy - when she realised she couldnt get free she gave up and stood like a professional.
We have a camera so could keep my eye on her

She stood for a minute when we unloaded her but calmly walked off.
I would say if yours is reasonably well handled and will tie up then travel how you normally would then at least she will get used to the whole proceedings

Good luck

[/ QUOTE ]
To be honest, the tying up could be a problem. She stands perfectly well 98 per cent of the time, the other 2 per cent she looks at me, says "watch this mum" and pulls back violently

. Little cow

M.

 

[Fairynuff]

[ QUOTE ]
I travel mine in a two horse box with the partition removed and cross tie them. I'd take her out on a 20-30 min circular route for practice. It needs to be long enough for her to stop stomping around (just in case)and get into the swing of it, but not so long that she get's tired. I'd also go for no boots. Be prepared for an exciting unloading....... I've found they often try to jump the ramp coming off.

Good luck

[/ QUOTE ]
Ill allow oh to unload

Thanks, M.

 

[Tnavas]

It would be best for her to travel with a friend the first couple of time so long as it is a good traveller. Drive smoothly and take care around corners and keep the journey short.

I moved my weanling yesterday in a trailer (first time) - she's been on the truck twice - apart from standing on the ramp viewing up the 'mobile bear cave' she walked in, stood like a rock and travelled 8 miles down the road to her winter paddocks. Backed off like a pro - really proud of her.

 

[sallyellis]

Not really sure they are both mine and both youngsters so we take them together usually but if it helps my 2 year old had only been in a box once before we loaded him, it was eventful to load him but yours goes in ok from your message but he travelled very well, we just took him for a 30 minute drive on his own and since then he has been out twice to shows and is a little star now. My yearling went in ok today havent got any shows lined up for her but she is very laid back and takes most things in her stride. I know what you mean about not wanting to ruin them as that is why we bought a youngster ( now 2 youngsters!) but they have to start somewhere. Mairi, I use bungi ropes made by shires to tie them in the trailer they give them stability but have some stretch to them so they dont tend to pull against them, they also have quick release clips on them just in case. I always unload mine and both have come off quietly I just back them out slowly and talk them down off of the ramp. I hope it goes well for you whatever you decide.

 

[FrodoBeutlin]

Hey there! How's your little girl?

We had to transport our yearling from his breeders in south-east Germany to north-west Germany (where we are now). He had never been inside a trailer or lorry before, and the journey took 7 hours

We have a little 2-horse van and we removed the partition altogether and left him completely free. No boots (obviously; he had hardly been handled at his breeders'!), plenty of hay on the floor, and he wasn't tied up so he could use all of the space to move around as he wished.

He never kicked once, just neighed every now and then (but immediately stopped when nobody replied)

He travelled fantastically well (much better than my two older horses); we only stopped twice for about half an hour each time and when we unloaded him he looked happy and totally fine about everything!

Your road is a little tough, but it's only to start with, plus you'll have a super experienced OH as a driver