Travel Problems

[blueunicorn]

Can anyone help? My friend has just found a lovely lady to have her horse on loan. The horse came to my her as impossible to load and travel, although no one is sure why - he used to compete and travelled then, she hasn't taken him anywhere althought has walked him into a trailer with front ramp open and fed him. She needs to get him to his new home by trailer or lorry (possibly by horse taxi) He will be there for a year whilst she is at uni and wont be traveled again whilst there. Any ideas as to the best way to tackle the problem? Would a mild sedative help? she also has no idea how he will travel once in the transport. He has to go there are no other options. It's too far and too dangerous to ride and involves a short motorway trip.

 

[Polos Mum]

Lots of practice, see if she can borrow a trailer and feed him in it every day, loading in and out10/20 times a day until he finds it very dull. Once's he's in and happy she could practice short trips to get him used to it or just only shut the ramp the day she want's him to go.
Well booted and in a sensible sized well made trailer he'll be fine, once he'd shut in get moving straight away, the movement often makes them concentrate and stop faffing about (if that's what he does)

I'd avoid sedatives as he needs all his wits and balance to travel well.

 

[LovesCobs]

my vet has given me a mild oral sedative when needed for a terrible traveler. she was alert enough to be safe and it helped. is it just the loading or the whole journey? if just the loding then lots f practise if you can. if it's the whoe journey I would use some sedative on a one off, but I accept others wouldnt

 

[9tails]

Do you know what the problem is? If he goes on the trailer, which you've indicated he does, I'd just be inclined to shut the doors and go. Horse transporters have plenty of experience of tricky travellers. I'm not keen on sedating as they need their wits about them to keep their balance.

 

[AmyMay]

Agree with 9tails.