Travel Woes

[kathantoinette]

I’ve owned my horse for 2 years. Goes in the lorry no problem. Stands in lorry at competitions. Travels well generally when we’re moving but an absolute nightmare when in traffic. He stomps and throws himself around rather spectacularly.
I’ve cross tied, given him the whole box, nipped up the partition, none of which makes a difference.
Hes usually better going than coming home. Tonight was a nightmare and takes the shine off the whole outing. He was out for quite a few hours today; loaded 1.45pm and home 6.45pm and didn’t have a wee at all. There seems to be a situation with him not wanting to wee when we’re out either at the venue or in the lorry at any point. Lots of shavings in the lorry. He’s a regular traveller, at least once per week.
Looking forward to any advice you guys can offer ? Thank you

 

[webble]

Mine can be similar at times, to the point he pulled some of the Eva lining off pawing at it, it's a tantrum rather than an issue traveling for him. I know this as the last few times we have travelled I have given him haylage for the journey (he normally has hay) and not a peep out of him and barely moved a muscle ?

The point of my ramble is that distraction techniques might be worth a try, good luck

 

[MagicMelon]

I had a horse like this OP, we would get nervous even coming up to traffic lights and would try to slow down well in advance and roll in rather than stopping completely. I remember about 5 times where he actually jumped the breast bar and got wedged with the breat bar under his hips. He's always be dope on a rope when this happened as he was a dumb welsh cob and knew he was stuck so he'd wait patiently to be detangled. He did fall out down the front ramp at a petrol station we'd had to pull into once, that surprised everyone. Loaded up fine and was ok after that. We tried things like mirrors etc. but the only thing we found made him quiet was another horse in with him. Do you have a little buddy you could take like a shetland who could just chill at shows? Far from ideal but maybe after a while of doing this, you could go back to travelling alone and the habit might have been broken?

 

[kathantoinette]

Mine can be similar at times, to the point he pulled some of the Eva lining off pawing at it, it's a tantrum rather than an issue traveling for him. I know this as the last few times we have travelled I have given him haylage for the journey (he normally has hay) and not a peep out of him and barely moved a muscle ?

The point of my ramble is that distraction techniques might be worth a try, good luck

thanks you for your response…yes I believe this is a tantrum rather than a balance/specific travel issue.
He always has haylage (in the winter months) or hay when travelling. One nor the other makes a difference ?

 

[kathantoinette]

I had a horse like this OP, we would get nervous even coming up to traffic lights and would try to slow down well in advance and roll in rather than stopping completely. I remember about 5 times where he actually jumped the breast bar and got wedged with the breat bar under his hips. He's always be dope on a rope when this happened as he was a dumb welsh cob and knew he was stuck so he'd wait patiently to be detangled. He did fall out down the front ramp at a petrol station we'd had to pull into once, that surprised everyone. Loaded up fine and was ok after that. We tried things like mirrors etc. but the only thing we found made him quiet was another horse in with him. Do you have a little buddy you could take like a shetland who could just chill at shows? Far from ideal but maybe after a while of doing this, you could go back to travelling alone and the habit might have been broken?

Gosh I bet that was a nightmare!
I put a mirror in and no difference. As for a companion, I’m up to weight in the lorry to that wouldn’t be an option.
Thank you for the suggestions though ?

 

[SBJT]

I was taught something interesting when I was learning to trailer. If you come to a stop at lights and they have a tantrum make sure that you have a decent amount of space in front of you. Every time they start to have the tantrum, just roll forward then stop. If they start again just do the same thing. It doesn’t have to be fast, just enough for their balance to be offset. However being fair to them, make sure that you are slowing down beforehand with enough room to spare so that they’re not scrambling for balance.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I was taught something interesting when I was learning to trailer. If you come to a stop at lights and they have a tantrum make sure that you have a decent amount of space in front of you. Every time they start to have the tantrum, just roll forward then stop. If they start again just do the same thing. It doesn’t have to be fast, just enough for their balance to be offset. However being fair to them, make sure that you are slowing down beforehand with enough room to spare so that they’re not scrambling for balance.

I was also taught this. Also to just try and rock the vehicle gently.