Travelling a horse without partition in trailer

[NooNoo59]

Have been given the use of a trailer but with no partition, it has full breech bars back and front, am getting it serviced next week and then will give it a go, anyone had experiences of travelling like this?

 

[Feathered]

I travel my cobs like this fine, in a Rice Europa. (one at a time I might add!) Actually my old mare travelled far better this way than any other.

I do cross tie though so they can't turn around.

 

[overtherainbow]

yep my horses all travel like this- just cross tie them, they all seem to prefer it to normal

though it generally helps if you have someone to help you unload or a polite horse as the bars can be hard to move one handed!

 

[NooNoo59]

sorry being thick but what does cross tied mean??!

 

[Ranyhyn]

I always travel like this - you use two leadropes either side to attach to sides of headcollar.

My mare much prefers it and she travels a lot quieter. I would always CHOOSE to travel this way if I can

 

[Hedwards]

Yep, used to do this whey I had my trailer - horses much prefer it as they can stand 'herringbone', so they can manage the movement of the trailer much better and brace themselves (they're actually even more comfortable travelling backwards IMO - but thats generally not possible in most trailers!)

 

[catdragon]

My friend always travelled her boy Hugo like this. He was 17.2 and found it easier to balance.

And cross tied means to have 2 lead ropes attached one to each side of yours horses headcollar and then one to each side of the trailier. Get into the habit of going in with another spare lead rope to clip onto your horses headcollar when you go to bring out before unclipping both cross ties - then you can leave those in the trailer and you won't forget to unclip one prior to leading out

 

[Piglet]

I always travel my boy in a Batesons Ascot minus the partition, I have travelled him like this for the last 7 years, in fact the minute I got my new trailer, out came the partition!!! Advantages? If it is rainy, cold, windy etc you can tack up in the trailer. They also have more of a choice on how to travel, my horse goes diagonal the whole journey!!

 

[NooNoo59]

This is all very positive, thanks guys! will defo give it a go next week, saves buying a partition at £500 (for all the bits) from IW. Will let you know how it goes

 

[Slightlyconfused]

I travel my mare like this as she falls over with a partition in.

X

 

[Caol Ila]

When I had a trailer, I always kept the partition folded back if I only had the one horse in it. She was more comfortable when she had the extra space to stand at whatever angle she wanted.

 

[Maesfen]

This is all very positive, thanks guys! will defo give it a go next week, saves buying a partition at £500 (for all the bits) from IW. Will let you know how it goes

If it's an old 505R with a single solid partition then I have a spare one here if you want it! It was left behind in their garage when a neighbour's trailer got stolen so they gave it us, it hasn't been used since.

BTW, I always cross tie too and only have the ropes long enough that they can move only slightly enough to keep their balance; if they're too long they can get under the bar and get into trouble. I leave ropes already tied in the trailer so only have to hook them up, saves a lot of time than tying if the horse is a bit stressy. Always use each side ring on a headcollar to cross tie with, it's more stable than using the centre back ring for both ropes too.

 

[Feathered]

Same here Maesfen. I leave the 2 side ropes hanging there all the time, lead him on with his usual rope clip the other 2 on the sides then unclip the bottom one.

Bob's your uncle!

Makes life easier when unloading too. No faffing around tying and untying.

 

[chestnut cob]

Yes, I travel my big horse without partitions and with breach bars. *touch wood* haven't had any probs. He puts himself in a diagonal position, wedges his bum in one corner and is fine. He is cross tied, I always leave the lead ropes ready tied in the trailer. He has a hay net at the front and lead ropes are just long enough for him to reach that. Like others have mentioned, I clip the ropes to either side of his headcollar.

 

[potto]

Me too, have two ropes and two haynets one each side he is spoilt lol.. have just got some of those bungee quick release things.. don't know if they will reach yet.. will be testing them tomoz.. but he travels so well like this and is much happier.

 

[Piglet]

Beware of the bungee clips, I used to travel my quite long TB mare without the partition and a single bungee, she pulled back slightly, the bungee in-bungeed and she turned around to face the back, not bad for 15.2hh long mare to do in an old IW 505, we were very lucky she didn't get stuck!!!

 

[Cazzah]

I'm another no partition convert I had a sneaking suspicion that my lad would prefer it as he always 'braced' in a trailer with partitions so when I got my trailer a few months ago I whipped out the partition. He now stands herringbone and travels fine. As others have said much easier if you have two leadropes ready-tied; I literally walk him on and clip one to either side of headcollar with the ropes just long enough to have a bit of movement but not so much he can get in a tangle.

I does help if you have someone to pop the breach bar on unless your horse is very good. I have another method if on my own - I clip a lungeline to one side of the rear (always do this anyway as its prescence seems to encourage him to load anyway!) and as he gets onto the ramp I loop it through the other side behind his bum and just pull it tight as he loads - that way there is a additional safeguard and deterrant if he pulls back. I can then get him settled and then pop the breach bar on. Works a treat.

I've also travelled another couple of horses and my little Welshy in the trailer this way and all prefer it - and space to tack up too I personally can't see a downside.

 

[Thai]

my daughters pony is having a massive travelling prblem at the moment. We orginally had a trailer and she was fine but then she started falling over (with the partition) so we took it out and she still fell over. We then boguht a horsebox as we thought she would travel better in this as this is what she travelled in with her previous owners. But she still leans against the partition and starts scarbbling and tries to go down!! Should we try taking the partitions out and travelling her loose??? xx

 

[potto]

Thanks for the warning Piglet, i have got two so shall make sure i always cross tie

Thai, it sounds like your pony might need to go back to the beginning with a bit of travel training in my opinion (and it is just mine) so that she can be happy and feel safe travelling you may want to get some help with someone who has experience with this. Some horses when they have had a hiccup loose confidence and need to be shown 'how' to travel again or even in a new way if travel arrangements change.
I would also never suggest travelling loose, unless in very particular circumstances, but cross tied. I hope you find a solution. Good luck x