Traveling a non-traveler... What options do I have?

[Kitei]

My search for a horse trailer for hire has unfortunately proven fruitless so far. The companies I have contacted all say they currently have none available, and I've been unable to find a privately owned one.

My issue is that I need RB to travel. Ideally I want him to swap with Obie, so he can live out (good doer, used to living out, good friends with Harry already and not in any work) and have Obie at the farm (Not as good a doer, used to living in at night, in work and would have more done with him there). There is, however, also the possibility that our yard may close, and though this is currently rumor, if it did happen then I'd have less than a week to move him anyway. (Not to mention, he needs to be able to be loaded in case of an emergency)

I'm very confident that he would not load first time, second time or even third time if I were to simply book a company and hope for the best. He's quite a delicate soul and needs to be given time and space to work things out over several days. If you try to force him without letting him have a proper think, he'll just panic, and obviously I don't want to risk him. If given the time, he'll take things in his stride quite happily.

I don't know what options I have. As said, I've been unable to find anyone willing to rent a trailer or able to, and there's no way I could currently afford to buy one myself (nor would it do me any good, as I don't drive). I can't walk him there, nor could I walk Obie back, as it would require going on the verge by the bypass and then through 3 villages for near 7 miles, on quite rough ground, and RB has no road experience and is very strong; it just wouldn't be safe for anyone.

Are there any trainers that perhaps offer loading training that would bring a box or trailer with them? Does that sort of thing exist?

He's not an easy horse if you don't know how he works, and harsh training methods don't work with him at all. I'm just getting rather stressed over the situation and am stuck for where else or what else to try.

 

[Tnavas]

You could mock up a trailer, using a sheet of plywood that he has to stand on and walk over.

Straw bales stacked a couple of metres farm a solid wall to practise walking into a narrow area. Once both will be done happily individually place the plywood sheet in front of the straw bale 'trailer' and walk him in an back out until that too is done agreeably. Then place the plywood inside the mock trailer.

Then I'm afraid the only next step is to use a transporting company. Explain the situation, drivers are usually very experienced with all types of horses, and if they know he may take time they will be able to allow time.

Other things to do is to smarten up his Walk On and Halt commands so that he is obedient.

 

[baymareb]

I feel for you - I have a similar situation. I agree that mocking up a trailer-type environment is helpful. I have been working on exercises with my hard loader to get him so that he will move each part of his body easily when I ask him to, to send him into more or less confined or strange areas and then stand quietly, etc. There is a lot we can do on the ground to help with the eventual loading.

But I also agree that using a transporting company can be an option. We had my gelding shipped from Minnesota to California (about 1500 miles) and we couldn't be there to load him. We explained how he was and they worked it out so that they made extra time to work with him. They were lovely people and by the end of the trip had him loading nicely in their huge rig with box stalls. Getting him into a two-horse slant is another story... ~sigh~

 

[maxapple]

If you can find someone who could drive for you, you should be able to find a company to hire a box from for a week. This would give you time to practice loading etc

We were in the same position last week. We needed to move my horse to retirement livery but he does not travel well at all and like you I knew he wouldn't respond to trainers Tec as he panics on boxes. Luckily my friend has a small box so over the course of 5 days we practiced getting him on and off and feeding him on there. I know exactly how to do it to ensure he didn't panic etc.

Day one it took about 50 mins, day 2 about 20, day 3 about 2 and on the day we travelled he just walked straight on. I had the vet out to sedate him once he was on, we fed treats until he aS sleepy then he travelled beautifully.

The key for us was doing everything exactly the same every day on the same box so he started to trust he was ok. I don't think mocking up a trailer would work in the same way.

Hope you get it sorted. X

 

[Orangehorse]

Well I would suggest ride, but since you have described why not - perhaps not!

What are the options. Well you either have to teach your horse to load, or you hire a cattle lorry and get him chased on, which I guess would not be a good idea.

Is there a local livery yard/training establishment who might help you? I can think of one or two people locally I could ask if I was in the same situation. The would bring their trailer and help you with loading techniques. You would obviously have to pay for their time and hire of the trailer, but how many other options are there?

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

An experienced transporter and ACP is how I would solve this problem, leaving an hour (45min for the ACP to take effect and 15min for you to put travel boots etc on) before the transporter arrives. No stress and no fuss, the horse is dopey before he realises anything is happening.