Maizy
Well-Known Member
Moving house and my horses was supposed to be a happy occasion! Finally I have them back with me after four months of being in separate parts of the country. It is a giddy feeling being able to keep them 50 metres from the back door, in a lovely setting, great hacking and a hunter trail course running through their fields!
I even took some final pictures of the horses in their old happy home and pictures of the smart box I hired. I then loaded them up the three year old gave a lead to the 20 year old up despite never being in a box herself before. Ramp up and we all set off for a long drive.
I tried to prepare them as best I could for the five hours journey and make them as comfortable as possible, including hiring a solid reliable box. Unfortunately my gelding found the move very stressful and even refused apples when we stopped to check him. The cab had CCTV so I was able to keep an eye on him and as the trip progressed I realised how much of a strain he was finding it. The 3 year old, however, thought it was just one big adventure!
Eventually we arrived, my priority was to get my boy off the wagon and into his stable to check him over. Off he came and I wanted to get him in but the 3 year old was getting panicky so I went to get her. It had not occurred to me until we were both stood at the top of the ramp she did not know how to get down, in a split second I saw her weigh up her options. Then she did a derby bank style leap bouncing once at great speed off the ramp. I tried to keep up with her and not let go but I wasnt so sure footed and landed fracturing my ankle
so there I was glasses on the floor (I cant see a thing without them!) on one leg holding my big 3 year old with my other hand on my old boys bum trying to steady myself.
We managed to get them into the stables, my mum was sent into check my boy and take off all the bandages taking her back to the good old PC days. Once they were settled off we went to A&E.
So there I was in a new home, with a poorly horse (hes recovering well now, I am hoping it was just stress and exhaustion, but the vet is going to take more bloods to confirm) and not knowing anyone! Thankfully people really are very kind and helpful and Ive managed to find someone to come and look after them. Also although I cant drive, having them at home means I can hop along to see them every few hours and they always lift my spirits, plus the fences make a good perch to rest on!
It will be a few months at least until I have the urge to lead her down a ramp again. In the meantime she is getting some practice at slopes having only ever been in flat fields she was very funny when she first went into her new field as its sloped and she kept traversing to get up and down.
In preparation for next time I would be really interested in how it is best to teach a novice horse to unload without injury if anyone has any recommendations?!
I even took some final pictures of the horses in their old happy home and pictures of the smart box I hired. I then loaded them up the three year old gave a lead to the 20 year old up despite never being in a box herself before. Ramp up and we all set off for a long drive.
I tried to prepare them as best I could for the five hours journey and make them as comfortable as possible, including hiring a solid reliable box. Unfortunately my gelding found the move very stressful and even refused apples when we stopped to check him. The cab had CCTV so I was able to keep an eye on him and as the trip progressed I realised how much of a strain he was finding it. The 3 year old, however, thought it was just one big adventure!
Eventually we arrived, my priority was to get my boy off the wagon and into his stable to check him over. Off he came and I wanted to get him in but the 3 year old was getting panicky so I went to get her. It had not occurred to me until we were both stood at the top of the ramp she did not know how to get down, in a split second I saw her weigh up her options. Then she did a derby bank style leap bouncing once at great speed off the ramp. I tried to keep up with her and not let go but I wasnt so sure footed and landed fracturing my ankle
We managed to get them into the stables, my mum was sent into check my boy and take off all the bandages taking her back to the good old PC days. Once they were settled off we went to A&E.
So there I was in a new home, with a poorly horse (hes recovering well now, I am hoping it was just stress and exhaustion, but the vet is going to take more bloods to confirm) and not knowing anyone! Thankfully people really are very kind and helpful and Ive managed to find someone to come and look after them. Also although I cant drive, having them at home means I can hop along to see them every few hours and they always lift my spirits, plus the fences make a good perch to rest on!
It will be a few months at least until I have the urge to lead her down a ramp again. In the meantime she is getting some practice at slopes having only ever been in flat fields she was very funny when she first went into her new field as its sloped and she kept traversing to get up and down.
In preparation for next time I would be really interested in how it is best to teach a novice horse to unload without injury if anyone has any recommendations?!
