travelling a pony loose

[suestowford]

Is this legal to do?

There is no way he can get out of the box, all fittings are solid so no bars for him to slither under (he is 11hh) and he is too small to jump the bulkhead. He is a bad traveller and I feel it is to do with his loathing of being restrained. He leads well on a loose rein, will load onto box on a loose rein, but hold him tight and he fights.

It would not be a danger when unloading either as there are solid gates up still once the ramp comes down.

So can I do this? To make it a better experience for the pony?

 

[be positive]

Yes you can,we sent a horse up country with a big transport company and all the horses were loose,although not able to turn round like yours will.
If it is safe for him and you it should make for a better experience for him.
Youngsters are also travelled like this sometimes.

 

[suestowford]

Thank you very much!

 

[Lizzie66]

If you have to brake suddenly he could end up bouncing around like a pinball machine !

Maybe just give him a wide partition and leave him tied fairly loosely.

 

[suestowford]

That's true, he could. Hmmm. However, I don't like to tie with a long rope as I worry that he might get it round his neck. Always if tied I prefer to short-tie. Maybe I will just put the partition across but not tie him, as be positive suggested. That way he couldn't bounce around the box too much if I did have to brake hard. And he could still move about a bit.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[hayinamanger]

It is legal, Redwings transport their rescue equines loose, singly and in groups.

 

[Aoibhin]

my boy travels loose without a partition because he insists on laying down! so its safer for him.

 

[scarymare]

Mine's quite often loose as I when I unhook his rope I often forget to hook him onto the trailer tie - puts him neither up or down really.

 

[Dolcé]

We always travel our ponies loose, usually in pairs, they travel far better if they can choose their own position. We have Section A's that can get around the front of the partitions in the wagon so we use carpet to make the partition appear 'solid' and move the partitions to create 2 large sections that each take 2 ponies.

 

[Spotsrock]

Lottie is 31 and quite stiff. She has laid down in box for years. Vet recommended don't tie up as she could hurt herself more dropping with her head tied than she could loose. Strangely she has, in the last year, agreed to travel upright. I still leave her loose just in case.