panicing in horsebox

[conny]

looking for advice really,i have had my new horse about2 months now and last week decided to take him out for a hack in the wagon,he went in fine almost jumping up the ramp then when i turned him to shut the partition he paniced and barged out,so i turned him took him straight back in and he did the same again,so every night i have been loading him and he does this every time, i can now turn him and slowly push the partion over but not shut it,he will stand a few mins, but then seems to panic and barge out,which is hard to stop him(hes 17hh)and i dont want him to hurt himself.when i bought him they droped him off in a trailer so im going to try him in a friends trailer tomorrow but is there anything i can try to help him settle in the horsebox,hes only 7 so it is possable hes never been in a wagon thanks

 

[jacksmum]

Frends Arab did this to the point of dangerous, in the end she got Richard Maxwell in and he did a great job and now arab is fine.
Good luck

 

[ladyt25]

Have you actually managed to shut it and see what happens then? My horse can be bargy like this but he likes going in the wagon yet he'll still try shove his way back out for some reason but that's him, all over - he does the same barging out of his stable door!!!

I would be inclined to think if he was ok in a trailer he should be fine in a wagon, what headcollar do you have on? If you haven't already i would suggest having him in a bridle or headcollar with chain on or something. Get him in, tie him up and shut the partition! Then praise him and feed him. If it's a sturdy box there's not an awful lot he can do. You will be able to judge though if he's really scared or just being a bit of a s*d. Seems odd he willingly go in and then do that if he's was genuinely scared?

Make sure he does have enough room on either side and behind him though, maybe the sensation of the wall on his bum (I am assuming they are herring bone partitions?) or the other partition/wall on his side causes him to get a bit of a fright?

 

[conny]

thanks lady t,i havent shut the partition yet,he goes in willingly thats what i dont understand,i did take him in and tie him up then push the partition over and held it and he started trying to turn around and pushing on the partition and rocking backwards and forwards quite a lot,its only when he does this i wasnt sure if it was fear or not he seams to not want to come forward enough and trys to turn to come out straight away.the box is old but sturdy so i should put him him and see if he settles

 

[Louby]

Sorry no advice but This is what my horse does. He was a perfect traveller in a wagon until I tried him in a trailer. He panicked in the trailer, I practiced loading him in the trailer for a few months but never got him to stay in long enough to get the ramp up. Tried him in a wagon again and he loads first time but shakes and wants out straight awa. Ive just got my first wagon but Ive not had him in it yet due to a couple of teething problems with the wagon so Im just hoping we can overcome it. Ive invested in a good poll guard and am going to take it slowly.