Kicking in lorry

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sam72431

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Hi

I don't have my own transport so I share lifts with two of my friends who have van conversion boxes. My horse is a bit reluctant to load but does go on but prefers to go on first as if she goes on second she doesn't really know how to turn and doesn't really like the ramp coming up next to her. Have travelled her on her own and also in company not travelled her much as not had her long. She seems to travel well I keep an eye on her and she doesn't seem stressed and seems fine the other end just been doing little journeys so she realises it's fun to go out. BUT

She has been kicking in the lorry seems to be more when she is in company as I don't remember her doing it on her own I know obvious answer is to travel her on her own but not possie as I don't have own transport! She has kicked hard enough that it has made some dents in the rubber not good! So any ideas have been suggested to use hobbles? But I'm not sure how I will be able to do this I need to load her then put them on? But she gets quite stressy about other horse coming on and her being on her own she is quite clingy in travelling situation then I dunno how I would get them off quickly enough once other horse is off without her panicking? So what about the mare covering boots they are felt? Would this protect the back of the box? I'm guessing if keeps stallion safe they are quite strong? She is shod on the back no studs or anything but road nails? Thank you very much for any suggestions
 
Worth a try, not sure if they are strong enough to put up with the hammering, but you could sew on something stronger eg leather.
Usually they don't kick when moving.
 
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Thank you I wasn't sure if they had leather on the bottom it's hard to tell from picture? Or I was thinking of poultice boots or something like that? She does it when moving just all of a sudden for no apparent reason 😔😐🙈
 
sam72431 said:
Thank you I wasn't sure if they had leather on the bottom it's hard to tell from picture? Or I was thinking of poultice boots or something like that? She does it when moving just all of a sudden for no apparent reason ������
Click to expand...

They tend to be leather wall and felt bottoms, the Shires on are pretty much all felt, I would try them. Starve her for three hours and give her a small net with small carrots possible, make sure she has plenty of width as she might just be unhappy.
 
Thank you do you think they would be thick enough even with her being shod? She seems to be eating and kicking I watched her yesterday and she doesn't even look bothered by looking at her face she just lashes out? Could it be a balance thing or an anger thing? The Horse she is travelling with is a perfect traveller ang gentleman and she seems to like him and isn't kicking in his direction? To me it looks like she has plenty of room but maybe too much? I just don't know making me a sad if I'm honest as my last horse who I have now retired I was unable to compete as she was basically just too overwhelmed going out and my new girl is just perfect and was really looking forward to getting her out but can't do it at expense of my friends box 😔
 
Does she kick out normally when eating in her stable, [in which case no haynet] very strange.
I would travel in with her if safe to do so, see if there is a pattern.
 
Most horses cant have to much room

Is it a 3.5t type box? How big are both horses?

When she travels alone does she have more space?
 
She isn't a kicky horse at all she is a pretty nice person if I'm honest although does seem to be fairly dominant though not aggressive she seems to like the horse that I have travelled her with as have hacked them out together although she doesn't seem to like other horses getting up her bum I get impression she has been kicked or jumped on in past as she seems nervous if horse is suddenly in front of her or if horse is behind her she sort of moves away but she did kick out at one mare when mare touched her bum but didn't lash out when she was just behind. But once she knows horse doesn't seem bothered although still fairly wary so I don't know if this is why she is kicking? She doesn't kick at all when being fed in stable and I can groom her etc while she is eating her hay although she is a nice person she could I feel in wrong hands be quite moody although I've not really had this problem it's just a feeling she gives me but hasn't actually done anything what so ever she definitely trusts in me as wont let anyone else catch her in field I could stand in the back with her but I still need to limit the damage she does as not my box so do you think the felt boots would help? Even with shoes on? How thick are they? Thanks
 
It's a van conversion one of the three county ones, she has same amount of room whether on her own or with another as we put partition in same position. She is 15.3 tbx and her friend is about 15.1 Irish sports horse so they aren't squished in and look to have plenty room?
 
Wouldn't be the most spacious having two horses in a small box but it doesn't sound like she's stressed. Unfortunately some horses just kick when travelling out of habit and it's hard to break the habit.

Those boots are normally used on unshod horses, I don't think they would stand up to much abuse from shod hooves but might be worth a try.

If you are frequently travelling in the same box could you fix some rubber over the top of where she's kicking? Then you can replace this as and when needed and she's not damaging the lorry.
 
Thank you that's a good idea :) well it's one of two boxes but both the same type of box just depends who I'm getting a lift with so if there is a piece of rubber I could swap between the two maybe? Or was thinking of approaching a master saddler or similar who makes stuff that could maybe make me something? Thanks
 
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