Scrambling in trailer- where to start?

[Michen]

I have an ifor505 classic, which my connemara 9 year old has always travelled fine in (nearly a year), either on his own on right hand side or again on the right with company on the left. He has arthiritis in his hocks, with the right most affected, and was seen by my vet for a lameness check both under saddle and flexions etc about 2/3 weeks ago. He is slightly flexion positive but it trots out and wouldn't fail a vet. He had steroids and tildren nearly a year ago, but my vet isn't keen to remedicate as it seems unnecessary. He was also seen by my physio 10 days ago and is in really good form, he has physio every 6 weeks.

However, twice in the last 4 trips he's been in the trailer for (over a 3/4 week period), he's been scrambling on the turns. But it hasn't been twice in a row, so there's been times in between where he's been absolutely fine. I *think* it is mostly on the left turn. He has always been quiet as a mouse to travel before this.

So do I

1- Take partition out (have ordered full width breast bars already)
2- Put back partition to the side (is this ok to do? where it would be hooked on?) with full width bar behind so more room for legs
3- Try a 510/511
4- Try a rear facing equitrek (hate the stories of their shoddy build quality though)
5- Try him on the left hand side (is this ok to do, camber of road etc...)

I do need to be able to take my other horse as it seems like he's sticking around, but he won't need to go anywhere for a couple of months. If he was happier on the left then that would be the ideal solution, but is it safe to try when other side is empty?

Most importantly though, do I remedicate his hocks? It seems odd for him to have suddenly started doing this. I could fix the problem with any of the above but there must be a reason, and surely it's physical, so do I have them jabbed anyway even though he's been so recently looked at and vet didn't want to? He is meticulously cared for and seen really regularly by vet and physio as I am extremely cautious that I want to know if there is any change to the soundness, with the hocks in mind. I think he’s probably been flexed about 4 times this year already ?

Sorry just adding as a few questions below. Trailer service due august so could definitely move that forward. It had new tyres all round a few months ago. New brake cables in December. New brake shoes in august. Floor seems fine to me but I’ll check again!

Thanks

 

[timbobs]

How recently was the trailer serviced? Could it be worth getting it looked over to make sure tyres, floor etc. Are all ok in case that’s the cause?

 

[webble]

Is the floor ok?

Can you hire other options to see how he is?

 

[cauda equina]

I travelled my bad loader who later turned out to be arthritic on the left, because that's what he seemed to prefer
We never had any problems with him being on the 'wrong' side but I always trail at a snail's pace anyway

 

[Michen]

How recently was the trailer serviced? Could it be worth getting it looked over to make sure tyres, floor etc. Are all ok in case that’s the cause?

sorry should have said. Brand new tyres all round. Brand new brake shoes and cables. Service due in august though so could have it done early.

 

[Goldenstar]

Take the petition out I bet you it will stop.

 

[Michen]

Is the floor ok?

Can you hire other options to see how he is?

Yes could try and find other options to hire for sure. It’s just annoying as it’s not consistent, so even if he was fine it’s not to say that option was one where he’d remain fine ?

 

[Michen]

Take the petition out I bet you it will stop.

I’m sure he would but isn’t this just covering up a problem as to why he’s started doing it in the first place? Also makes things tricky with my other horse. Which is not the end of the world, long term I could change to rear facing or a bigger trailer if he needs the extra space.

Do people generally find the extra space in a 511 with partition in helps horses who need to travel in a 505 without partition?

 

[TPO]

I'd be tempted to bring the service forward and re check tyre pressure on your car.

Then I'd take him for a drive and pay close attention to when/of the scrabbling happens and if it is one side only or more than the other. That might give you a start point re hocks

Hopefully its "just" a trailer issue that can be easily resolved.

After a "normal" journey I'd try another without partition and see if that helps.

 

[Michen]

I'd be tempted to bring the service forward and re check tyre pressure on your car.

Then I'd take him for a drive and pay close attention to when/of the scrabbling happens and if it is one side only or more than the other. That might give you a start point re hocks

Hopefully its "just" a trailer issue that can be easily resolved.

After a "normal" journey I'd try another without partition and see if that helps.

so my car would tell me if the pressure was off but maybe I should check the trailer tyre pressure?

I’ll definitely bring service forward. But assuming that all checks out, I am not sure whether to medicate- even if it is “fixable” with partition removal.

 

[milliepops]

what TPO said
but i would also try travelling on the other side out of curiosity, one of mine would only travel on the passenger side and it was fine.

 

[Red-1]

I have always found scrabbling starts before a lameness then presents itself, so I would personally re-medicate as you are already aware of an issue.

You could delay that by taking the partition out, as that often holds it at bay, at least for a while, using full width breast and breach bars. Or, trying the other side, but beware the trailer is less stable that way as the weight then is into the camber of the road.

 

[Michen]

I have always found scrabbling starts before a lameness then presents itself, so I would personally re-medicate as you are already aware of an issue.

You could delay that by taking the partition out, as that often holds it at bay, at least for a while.

Yep I definitely don’t want to just ignore it and sticky plaster the problem. But I don’t want to just jab him unnecessarily. I wonder if it’s worth doing a trailer driving bute trial ?

 

[Red-1]

Yep I definitely don’t want to just ignore it and sticky plaster the problem. But I don’t want to just jab him unnecessarily. I wonder if it’s worth doing a trailer driving bute trial ?

I almost suggested that, and would do so if I wasn't sure if the horse had a problem. I held it on balance that I would remedicate, because you know there is a red flag there, and also bearing in mind that you are having a ball on him after a bleak year and I think I would make hay while the sun shines. This especially as I know that he could retire afterwards, if needed, and you will still treat him like a king.

So, a likely problem, you are both enjoying what you are doing = remedicate, for me.

 

[Michen]

What are people’s thoughts on pinning just the back part of the partition back like you can to load? With a full bar behind it?

 

[Michen]

I almost suggested that, and would do so if I wasn't sure if the horse had a problem. I held it on balance that I would remedicate, because you know there is a red flag there, and also bearing in mind that you are having a ball on him after a bleak year and I think I would make hay while the sun shines. This especially as I know that he could retire afterwards, if needed, and you will still treat him like a king.

So, a likely problem, you are both enjoying what you are doing = remedicate, for me.

Thanks I’ll give my vet a call on Monday. Think it sounds sensible to remedicate especially when we know he has it, and he is coming up to a year post injections.

He has clearly got a little jealous of Bear hogging all the vet time.

ETA I will get trailer checked out first though- just in case.

 

[TPO]

so my car would tell me if the pressure was off but maybe I should check the trailer tyre pressure?

I’ll definitely bring service forward. But assuming that all checks out, I am not sure whether to medicate- even if it is “fixable” with partition removal.

Personally given that he's not long since had a work up and that the trailer is nearly due anyway I'd do that first.

Then I'd do a few test journeys travelling normally, without partition and maybe passenger side.

That might give you a bit more to go on before looking at medicating again. Not that theres anything against remedicating if its needed, its just that he's only just had a work up and youd expect that to throw up something which it didnt really.

 

[Michen]

Personally given that he's not long since had a work up and that the trailer is nearly due anyway I'd do that first.

Then I'd do a few test journeys travelling normally, without partition and maybe passenger side.

That might give you a bit more to go on before looking at medicating again. Not that theres anything against remedicating if its needed, its just that he's only just had a work up and youd expect that to throw up something which it didnt really.

Thanks. I’ll definitely do trailer check first then try him again. If he’s still doing it I think I’ll remedicate and then test other journey methods.

Is it really feasible that a horse could just start this sort of thing up out of no where and it not be physical or trailer induced do you think? ?

ETA see what you mean Re work up. It’s also so consistent, it’s always the same slightly positive flexion but trots out. Makes no difference if it’s from the field, having stood in stable for 12 hours, freezing weather, warm weather. So we have a pretty good overview of his “normal”.

 

[tda]

What are people’s thoughts on pinning just the back part of the partition back like you can to load? With a full bar behind it?

I would try that for starters. I always thought that the main reason for scrabbling was the need to spread legs to balance

 

[buzzles]

Instead of pinning back partition, take it out altogether and just use front one. I have to do this with one of mine and works fine, although is in the 510 so the bigger trailer

 

[Rowreach]

Thanks I’ll give my vet a call on Monday. Think it sounds sensible to remedicate especially when we know he has it, and he is coming up to a year post injections.

He has clearly got a little jealous of Bear hogging all the vet time.

ETA I will get trailer checked out first though- just in case.

If it's as long as a year then I would definitely speak to your vet about re-doing the injections.

I would travel him without the partition, although obviously long term this may not work if/when you are travelling two.

 

[Michen]

Instead of pinning back partition, take it out altogether and just use front one. I have to do this with one of mine and works fine, although is in the 510 so the bigger trailer

Oh does the front and back seperate!? ??

 

[Michen]

If it's as long as a year then I would definitely speak to your vet about re-doing the injections.

I would travel him without the partition, although obviously long term this may not work if/when you are travelling two.

Well that’s one of the reasons I get him checked so often. Because I don’t want him to become unsound without me knowing and just carry on. I even went as far as to have him looked at under saddle, but my vet said this was definitely not a horse he felt needed medicating- and that you really don’t want to be jabbing them for no reason.

He would quite literally pass a vet, the positive reaction to flexion and the quickness in which it trots out is apparently “in range” of what’s considered normal/acceptable to be deemed a pass

But obviously there’s now this, which may or may not be related but seems to coincidental.

 

[Rowreach]

Well that’s one of the reasons I get him checked so often. Because I don’t want him to become unsound without me knowing and just carry on. I even went as far as to have him looked at under saddle, but my vet said this was definitely not a horse he felt needed medicating- and that you really don’t want to be jabbing them for no reason.

He would quite literally pass a vet, the positive reaction to flexion and the quickness in which it trots out is apparently “in range” of what’s considered normal/acceptable to be deemed a pass

But obviously there’s now this, which may or may not be related but seems to coincidental.

Ok.

 

[SOS]

I agree it could be pain that’s making him scramble. But I also never travel with the back half of the partion in, if you watch how they stand they like to spread their back legs wide and they just can’t do that with the back partition and bar in. Even travelling two works just put travel boots on behind incase they stand to on each other. You should also use a full length bar at the back as leaning on the ramp can knacker it. Cured a few bad trailer travellers this way

 

[Michen]

I agree it could be pain that’s making him scramble. But I also never travel with the back half of the partion in, if you watch how they stand they like to spread their back legs wide and they just can’t do that with the back partition and bar in. Even travelling two works just put travel boots on behind incase they stand to on each other. You should also use a full length bar at the back as leaning on the ramp can knacker it. Cured a few bad trailer travellers this way

I didn’t even notice that the back partition and front could be separated ??. That’s interesting to hear!

I never travel any of mine with boots though. I’m sure Bear wouldn’t mind but Boggle absolutely hates them.

 

[Michen]

Ok.

Do you reckon I’m missing something and should just jab anyway, regardless of vet opinion?

Genuine question- I have no issue having them done, it’s certainly not about money I just want to make sure I’m sticking steroids into a joint with good reason.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I didn’t even notice that the back partition and front could be separated ??. That’s interesting to hear!

Yes, just swing the half partition over to one side and than carefully lift it off the hinges on the central partition pole.

NB, it's easier to take it off than to put it back!

Pity you're not closer, I have a 510 classic that you could have tried him in. It's both wider, taller and a lot longer than the 505.

Have you tried a short off road journey travelling in the trailer yourself, sans horse? In case of weird things happening?

 

[Michen]

Yes, just swing the half partition over to one side and than carefully lift it off the hinges on the central partition pole.

NB, it's easier to take it off than to put it back!

Pity you're not closer, I have a 510 classic that you could have tried him in. It's both wider, taller and a lot longer than the 505.

Have you tried a short off road journey travelling in the trailer yourself, sans horse? In case of weird things happening?

Thanks! No I haven’t, but will definitely tick all the trailer boxes and see if there’s something going on there.

I’d be happy to buy a 510/511 and see, will keep my 505 as well and can then just sell it again if needed, they don’t exactly loose value.

 

[littleshetland]

Definitely try him on the left. Ive had a few that travelled so much better on the left....Ive no idea why tbh, but it does seem to work. Also the full width bars and no partition and cross tied is good if he's ok with loads of room.