Is this cruel to pony?

[poiuytrewq]

I have a horse going on loan but it apparently won’t travel alone. It’s a max 3 hour drive.
I have a Shetland who hes good friends with and keeps him chilled.
Obviously it would be a long day for him, there and back in one go. He can have a big haynet and is happy on a lorry, although hadn’t travelled in some time.
Is this unfair?

 

[milliepops]

i don't think I'd personally be too worried about that as a one-off, will he be able to get off for a rest/stretch at the other end before setting off again?

 

[Ownedby4horses]

If the shetland is anything like my three, they love travelling and anyone of them would love a trip out with a haynet. My eldest (30yrs and technically a miniature horse x but looks shetland-like), always came for trips out with anything (including coming along to pick up some hay one time as he was shouting so much wanting to come along when we got the trailer out.

 

[Sandales]

As a one off I wouldn't consider it unkind to pony, if anything it's kind to the pony he is friends with. I echo other posters sentiments in asking if he can have a leg stretch, drink and stretch his neck down at the stop.

If the shetland is anything like my three, they love travelling and anyone of them would love a trip out with a haynet. My eldest (30yrs and technically a miniature horse x but looks shetland-like), always came for trips out with anything (including coming along to pick up some hay one time as he was shouting so much wanting to come along when we got the trailer out.

Sorry not really relevant to OP. Ownedby4horses but your post made me chuckle. I just had visions of Shetland charging up the ramp at full speed and munching hay on a day out.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Ok, sedating is another option but I’m not too convinced by that one.
Im going to take them both for a drive tomorrow and see if it works tomorrow

 

[meleeka]

The Shetland will probably be more than happy if he has unlimited hay.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Sorry not really relevant to OP. Ownedby4horses but your post made me chuckle. I just had visions of Shetland charging up the ramp at full speed and munching hay on a day out.

Oh thats him spot on, he never cared who he was leaving behind at the yard. Hubby used to joke when he was younger, he'd have hopped in the car for a day out if he'd been allowed. ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

The Shetland will probably be more than happy if he has unlimited hay.

Are you implying he’s a piggy?
haha! Your very correct. The lady the other end has agreed to a water and carrot break before he returns.
My next drama is that it leaves a slightly hysterical Welsh A at home, not alone. He has two others but he dislikes them ?‍

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh thats him spot on, he never cared who he was leaving behind at the yard. Hubby used to joke when he was younger, he'd have hopped in the car for a day out if he'd been allowed. ?

Ah this little chaps like that, far rathers a bit of human company. We always said he’d be happier in front of the fire at home than out with horses!
If an escape opportunity arises he grabs is and go’s. No separation anxiety there ??

 

[spoo]

I'd rather travel the shetland than travel a sedated pony x

 

[poiuytrewq]

I'd rather travel the shetland than travel a sedated pony x

Yes, this is my theory.
The other isn’t actually a pony, he’s a 16.2 Youngish TB so bit of a handful if he’s stressing

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Take the Shetland on a jolly day out! The Welsh will shut up after 5mins especially if food is left for them too.

 

[Sir barnaby]

We had a horse didnt travel well when we first bought him, so when we took him out we took my old mare with us she was happy to stand on the lorry with a haynet while we were hunting it was a change of scenery for her and a day out it worked a treat until the ridden horse soon settled and we were able to take him on his own

 

[Denbob]

The transporter I used to move D down to Somerset had a Shetland they offered to bring as a companion who is great with other horses and enjoys travelling, so you certainly wouldn't be alone in doing it!

 

[Tarragon]

My pony once went to a show, just to be the companion on the horsebox. He was perfectly happy. Enjoyed the day out I think!

 

[Leandy]

Absolutely take the shetland. It is certainly not cruel (an overused word in circumstances such as this) and if he will be happy travelling and its a one off it is absolutely fine. Its not as if he does it all day every day. I would be warey of sedating a horse to travel. It is more likely to fall over and sedation won't last 3 hours in any event. Putting the youngster through additional risk and stress by not taking his companion would be a greater concern for me than overtravelling the shetland.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Take the Shetland on a jolly day out! The Welsh will shut up after 5mins especially if food is left for them too.

I’m not sure he will. Last time they were split he careered round for hours and was laminitic the next day. He won’t be stabled alone but figure is just going to have to wing it ?‍♀
Provisionally booked another transporter tomorrow. This is the most expensive ever horse move!
EKW you must have experience of mega bad travellers? What do you do?
The only current one at work short distance we sit in with her, longer we have to hire a 7.5 and take anwhich seems to do the job but I can’t do that!
Im just off on a trial run with them both now before booking properly. My own lorry is capable of that just not hours on the motorway.

On a totally separate note, Im pretty much unable to use the forum on my phone anymore due to this bloody google pop up. Has anyone found a fix while I am here!!

 

[DSB]

Sedate the Welsh?

 

[Polos Mum]

I'm sure i recall one of the top eventers bringing a goat because their horse only travelled with it's friendly goat !
I am sure shetland won't be harmed and seems like safest thing for the youngster.

 

[Adoni123]

I'm sure it would be fine as a one-off.

Something you might want to do is some gut balancer in a feed as long travels can hurt their tummies. Maybe I'm a bit OTT but I always put in a gut balancer when I go anywhere.

 

[LegOn]

There is a Irish Olympic dressage rider that travels her horse with one of those shop display horses beside it because he wont travel alone! Too funny! Sorry I'm no help but I think the Shetland going on a road trip is a good plan!

https://www.facebook.com/Heike-Holstein-Dressage-420688924972797/photos/706334666408220