Tacking up on a 3.5t

Ceifer

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Started taking my new horse out and about. Previous owner travelled him on a 7.5t and tacked him up on the lorry, they said his only downside was he does not tie up on the outside of a lorry as he will pull back and escape. I’ve never had a problem with taking him off my lorry and tacking him up until yesterday when we arrived and he was uncharacteristically on his toes and after putting the headcollar around his neck he stuck his head up like a giraffe and i simply couldn’t reach him. He then started walking off and I had to embarrassingly Shout for help 🤦‍♀️ and get rescued by my trainer.

Does anybody bridle up in a 3.5t? I am thinking of making a strap so I can open up and secure the partition so I have a bit more space. It’s rear travelling so I’m boxed in and I’m always a bit H&S conscious as seen too many accidents over the years but I don’t think I have much option otherwise.

I don’t want to travel him in a bridle as he wears a double and worried about him getting caught up.
 

Vodkagirly

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I normally tack up inside my 3.5t. Bridle I put on standing in the rear section. I only travel one do my partion is wider than normal and plenty of room to get in and saddle up
 

FitzyFitz

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If the partition is over you should have enough room. I tack up outside but always use a headcollar that undoes on the nose so it stays fully on their head for bridling.
 

little_critter

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Can you move the partition over to give you more space? Even if you only swing the front across it would help.
That’s what I do, it works well for us. He can’t move over much but can stand diagonally which is enough. My boy is good, but I always go out on my own so it’s just simpler to keep him on the lorry until I need to get on.
Don’t forget to put your headcollar on over the bridle to unload so you can briefly tie up to shut up your lorry, and again when you want to put the ramp down to put him back on afterwards.
 

Walrus

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I tack up on mine no problem, just swing the partition over to the ramp to give more space. I've got a tack locker that can be accessed both from outside and from inside the horse area, best design feature we had put in. As others say headcollar on over the bridle one you're tacked up so they are secure when you drop the ramp.
 

Bernster

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Just to add, I’m so clumsy I don’t really ‘get’ how you bridle up outside with the head collar and all. I feel like I’d fumble it all, the horse would get loose and wander off. Especially when I’m on my own. So doing it inside takes that worry away! Although now I’m thinking about it, I tend to unbridle outside the lorry when I’m done, so I must be able to do it that way round at least!
 

cold_feet

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Just to add, I’m so clumsy I don’t really ‘get’ how you bridle up outside with the head collar and all. I feel like I’d fumble it all, the horse would get loose and wander off. Especially when I’m on my own. So doing it inside takes that worry away! Although now I’m thinking about it, I tend to unbridle outside the lorry when I’m done, so I must be able to do it that way round at least!
If I am in any doubt I loop the reins over his neck before removing the head collar.
 

splashgirl45

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I used to always put bridle on in lorry and put head collar over the top and then saddle up outside . I did tie mine up to the side of the box but didn’t tie up short as I just needed to be sure she didn’t walk off while I was putting saddle on. If yours pulls back and you can’t tack up completely in lorry , put bridle on in lorry, you can do that without getting in with them, headcollar over the top and attach a lunge line not a short rope , have saddle close to where you would tie up , have hat on and gloves ready, thread lunge line trough the ring so it slides easily, keep hold of the lunge line and put saddle on , if he starts to walk back give and take so he realises he is not fixed to the lorry , but that way he can’t walk far away from the lorry .. hope that is clear
 
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