Nervous travellers & views on NAF magic syringes

[SweetDreams]

Hi all just wondering if any of you have dealt with horses that are nervous when travelling, any tips/ideas into helping settle their nerves and enjoy their time travelling? I’ve considered using the NAF magic syringes to see if that helps? Has anyone ever used them with decent results - Thankyou in advance

 

[sjdress]

I had a really nervous traveller. I tired calming cookies which didn’t help at all but did use the Naf instant magic which helped a little.
in the end it was more of a case of building his confidence around loading and travelling so going back to basics of getting him relaxed in the lorry before we even tried to travel anywhere again.

 

[Cortez]

Hi all just wondering if any of you have dealt with horses that are nervous when travelling, any tips/ideas into helping settle their nerves and enjoy their time travelling? I’ve considered using the NAF magic syringes to see if that helps? Has anyone ever used them with decent results - Thankyou in advance

Not sure if most horses "enjoy" travelling exactly, but it is possible to get the majority of horses to settle eventually just by repetition, careful driving and keeping the trailer serviced.

P.S. Most of those "calming" thingys don't work. Sedatives can, but I'd never sedate a horse to travel; they need all their faculties to balance.

 

[ycbm]

I have had two horses (got one now) who appeared to really want to travel and would get into any open horse transport by themselves and then look at you as if to say "come on, shut the ramp, where are we off to today? ". But all the many others were taught to accept it, and one unforgettable nightmare destroyed the inside of a lorry and then had to be tied down to stop him doing it again after it was rebuilt.

The answer to all of them was to do no more than they could cope with, repeat, build, repeat, build and all of them became good loaders and travellers in time.

Are you sure it's nerves not discomfort? What is he doing?
.

 

[Identityincrisis]

I have a nervous traveller (anxious horse in general) i have had a little success with naf magic, especially giving 1 the night before and then an hour before travel, but agree with the above, getting out a couple of times a week on short journeys is what is helping the most .

 

[SweetDreams]

She was initially a scrambler in the trailer but with lots of slow repetitive episodes of loading and short slow trips round the yard without the partition in the trailer She’s now doing great she literally trots on the ramp, doesn’t begin to sweat or anything dramatic as such anymore, but she doesn’t eat and just appears anxious, her health and tack are all completely fine been checked by the necessary people - xrays and bloods all normal aswell. Just wanted tips on how to make her feel more settled -thanks

 

[ycbm]

She was initially a scrambler in the trailer but with lots of slow repetitive episodes of loading and short slow trips round the yard without the partition in the trailer She’s now doing great she literally trots on the ramp, doesn’t begin to sweat or anything dramatic as such anymore, but she doesn’t eat and just appears anxious, her health and tack are all completely fine been checked by the necessary people - xrays and bloods all normal aswell. Just wanted tips on how to make her feel more settled -thanks

Sounds like you're doing fine and just need repetition.
.

 

[bouncing_ball]

She was initially a scrambler in the trailer but with lots of slow repetitive episodes of loading and short slow trips round the yard without the partition in the trailer She’s now doing great she literally trots on the ramp, doesn’t begin to sweat or anything dramatic as such anymore, but she doesn’t eat and just appears anxious, her health and tack are all completely fine been checked by the necessary people - xrays and bloods all normal aswell. Just wanted tips on how to make her feel more settled -thanks

I found a mirror and a net of Haylage as a treat (can get low sugar Haylage really helped). I’d get home / to venue snd he’d stay eating on lorry and be in no hurry to get off.

 

[SweetDreams]

I found a mirror and a net of Haylage as a treat (can get low sugar Haylage really helped). I’d get home / to venue snd he’d stay eating on lorry and be in no hurry to get off.

What made you decide to use a mirror?

 

[bouncing_ball]

What made you decide to use a mirror?

It’s meant to reassure horses that they have company. It calms some in stable snd lorry.