Travel tantrums

[Diva.no.12]

Hi- I need ideas

I've had my mare since August 2012, bought as a 5 year old from Ireland. Always loads well, I had a trailer but she became increasingly restless whilst travelled, kicking, stomping and swaying. As I event her and travel most weeks and sometimes up to 3 hours I decided to invest in a 3.5t box. I spent months researching this and speaking to people who had them, everyone said their horses loved them and traveled well backwards etc.

Sadly not my horse, she continues to load well, stands at an event perfectly relaxed and happy but for at least 50% of my journeys stomping kicking and franticly weaving ( I can now view her through the cab window) she never weaves normally this is just a travel thing.

Some journeys she is perfect and does not move a hoof, often the way to an event is better than the way home. There isn't a particular pattern to her strops - it can be any weather or after any discipline, yesterday was a calm lovely day and we did pure dressage, no excitement or jumping, took her for grass and a pee before setting off but had the journey from hell

She has a Haynet but won't eat whilst driving although tucks in as soon as I park, she has a lickit , I have tried covering the Windows, I have removed the partition, I have tied her the other side. I have to resort to Sedalin after an event for the way home to dampen her down.

She has traveled well a few times ( I think) herringbone in a 7.5 t box but not sure if this is because it's different or because we can't hear or feel her the same. In a 3.5 box they are very nearly in the cab with you so you hear and feel every kick.

Is my only solution to sell this and resort to a 7.5 diesel guzzling box??

I have had suggestions of hobbles or a hood (race start stall type so she can't see) but I'm not overkeen - has anyone tried either??

I'm grateful for any ideas or advice

 

[D66]

Check the tyre pressures, the suspension and the horse box floor. They're the easy ones.
Then its the usual checks on the horse - back, hocks etc. Difficult if there is no change under saddle.

 

[Diva.no.12]

Thanks for the reply, floor and tyres both ok - I've not had the horse checked but she fine to ride 🤔

 

[be positive]

Try a mirror, it really helped a friends horse to settle traveling alone, you may need to move it a few times to get the most suitable place but to me it sounds as though it is being shut in on her own that is more of an issue than anything else if she settles once she gets where there are other horses around her and is happy to load, put plenty of bedding down if you don't already.