Travelling a Poorly Horse - Forward or Rearward Facing?

[cowgirl16]

My Vet has given the OK to travel my horse to his new retirement home. (Horse fell very ill a year ago - first thoughts were wobbler syndrome, the thinking now is that he had a stroke). He's very well in himself, but his back end is not right. A bit "drunk" like. Goes uphill ok, struggles downhill. Gets down to roll, gets up and wobbles behind. Has the occasional zoomie, but looks very uncordinated behind. Vet has recommended he be travelled in a trailer, no partition, and cross tied. I'm now trying to find a suitable transporter that's experienced with this sort of problem. I've found one that appears very good. Thing is - his lorry is rear facing. My horse has only ever travelled forward facing. As the problem is mainly in his back end - how will this affect him? I've thought about this till my brain bleeds! Has anyone travelled a horse with this kind of problem before? Forwards or backwards? What's best do you think?

 

[Merrymoles]

Sorry have no advice other than to discuss it with the transporter who will have travelled hundreds of horses. Most horses seem to cope well whichever way they are facing and some are better rear facing but do talk to them about your worries.

Good luck with his journey!

 

[Widgeon]

I can't help regarding forwards or backwards, but I would've thought that "slowly and with a camera" would be critical? If your vet knows your horse and his issues I think it would be entirely legitimate to ask them about it - they shouldn't think you're wasting their time.

 

[Northern Hare]

Hi CG, How far is it that you'll be transporting your horse? Also what kind of journey is it, ie. rural lanes with lots of twists and turns and ups and downs, or mostly bigger smoother roads?

 

[Abacus]

Do you have the opportunity to try him in a similar lorry before doing a longer journey? Just around the block to see if he copes. My feeling is that you may need to adjust the partition to be quite narrow so that he can lean on either side to help him balance (it may also be the case that wider suits him better, you won't know until you try). Or factor this into the move, so you start the journey but be prepared to stop and adjust if needed.

There is research showing that most horses travel better backwards but not sure how this is impacted by rear end problems.

 

[Tiddlypom]

How far is the journey?

Maybe untied in a stallion box without the partitions in, with camera on and a passenger monitoring how he is all the time? If he falls over while tied up that would be horrible. Still horrid if he falls over when loose, though.

 

[Melody Grey]

How about considering a transporter with a 7.5t? I’m guessing with the debate over forward/ rear facing you’re thinking about a 3.5t?
I’m always a fan of bigger lorries as I think they’re more stable, just a thought if your lad is a bit wobbly?

ETA: so I mean travelling widthways across the lorry.

 

[abbijay]

I don't know where you are but I have a friend who borrows a trailer in yorkshire without a partition in for her 18hh shire. I also travel mine in trailer without partition but I own my own trailer. If you contact trailer hire in your area they might have one without partition option for mare and foal use.
As horses don't naturally lean for stability I am with your vet to travel in the largest space possible and no partition (unless you witness your horse leaning on walls for support at other times). Trailers with low ramp over a big lorry for me as you say he struggles downhill - he needs to go back down a steep ramp on a lorry.

 

[cowgirl16]

Hi CG, How far is it that you'll be transporting your horse? Also what kind of journey is it, ie. rural lanes with lots of twists and turns and ups and downs, or mostly bigger smoother roads?

Not exactly sure of distance. 25 miles perhaps. About 45 mins in time. 1 hour if going slowly. Rural roads, not single track lanes, fairly twisty in places, not hilly. I've done the journey once in a car, it didn't strike me as a bad journey.

 

[cowgirl16]

Sorry have no advice other than to discuss it with the transporter who will have travelled hundreds of horses. Most horses seem to cope well whichever way they are facing and some are better rear facing but do talk to them about your worries.

Good luck with his journey!

I can't help regarding forwards or backwards, but I would've thought that "slowly and with a camera" would be critical? If your vet knows your horse and his issues I think it would be entirely legitimate to ask them about it - they shouldn't think you're wasting their time.

Thank you. I'll certainly want to talk to them first. This company operate a 24 hour emergency call out service, so they sound very experienced.

 

[cowgirl16]

Do you have the opportunity to try him in a similar lorry before doing a longer journey? Just around the block to see if he copes. My feeling is that you may need to adjust the partition to be quite narrow so that he can lean on either side to help him balance (it may also be the case that wider suits him better, you won't know until you try). Or factor this into the move, so you start the journey but be prepared to stop and adjust if needed.

There is research showing that most horses travel better backwards but not sure how this is impacted by rear end problems.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to any other vehicle to try him in. Thing is - If he's facing backwards - will he cope with the vehicle braking, as his weight will be thrown backwards onto his hindquarters?

 

[cowgirl16]

How far is the journey?

Maybe untied in a stallion box without the partitions in, with camera on and a passenger monitoring how he is all the time? If he falls over while tied up that would be horrible. Still horrid if he falls over when loose, though.

It's about 25 miles. Not a bad journey, all rural roads. The vet thinks he will be better with more space so he can spread his legs to balance, and not prop himself against the partition or lorry wall. This vehicle has a camera for keeping an eye on the passenger.

 

[cowgirl16]

How about considering a transporter with a 7.5t? I’m guessing with the debate over forward/ rear facing you’re thinking about a 3.5t?
I’m always a fan of bigger lorries as I think they’re more stable, just a thought if your lad is a bit wobbly?

ETA: so I mean travelling widthways across the lorry.

I just don't know how he'd be. The only problem with a bigger lorry would be the steepness of the ramp. He wouldn't cope well coming down a steep ramp.

 

[AmyMay]

I just don't know how he'd be. The only problem with a bigger lorry would be the steepness of the ramp. He wouldn't cope well coming down a steep ramp.

Can he not stay at his current yard?

 

[cowgirl16]

I don't know where you are but I have a friend who borrows a trailer in yorkshire without a partition in for her 18hh shire. I also travel mine in trailer without partition but I own my own trailer. If you contact trailer hire in your area they might have one without partition option for mare and foal use.
As horses don't naturally lean for stability I am with your vet to travel in the largest space possible and no partition (unless you witness your horse leaning on walls for support at other times). Trailers with low ramp over a big lorry for me as you say he struggles downhill - he needs to go back down a steep ramp on a lorry.

If this transporter isn't suitable, I'll look into one that can carry him like this, without a partition. I can't help but feel that he'd be better facing forwards.

 

[cowgirl16]

Can he not stay at his current yard?

Well, he could - but the set-up there is no longer suitable. It's a track livery. He can't be out with the herd as it's not safe for him now - so he's confined to a paddock on his own. He copes well, but he's not happy. I've found a full grass retirement livery for him - loads of space and only 3 other geriatrics to share a lovely big field with. (also - same money I'm paying now, but includes all care, all feed, trimmer and worm counts).

 

[Melody Grey]

Is it worth asking if your vet can medicate him for the journey since it’s only an hour or so? Keeping him more comfortable without compromising balance if that’s possible?

 

[cowgirl16]

Is it worth asking if your vet can medicate him for the journey since it’s only an hour or so? Keeping him more comfortable without compromising balance if that’s possible?

The vet didn't suggest anything like that when he came last week - so I'm guessing there's nothing they could give him to help. Thing is - he's not in pain. He just can't control his back end properly any more. What we need is a big sling that he can hang in, that will take the weight off his legs. ( only kidding - though it would be kind of useful!)

 

[Birker2020]

Before we travelled my 17hh WB with unconfirmed wobblers in 2005 to Liverpool Equine Hospital he was given a course of finadyne by the vet to stabilise him enough to travel. He had been extremely ataxic on 3 occasions until that point although had improved enough for the journey and the vet had determined he was fit for travel.

He was collected in a large lorry by a professional transporter at five in the morning and it was partitioned herringbone, he travelled st the rear of the lorry by the ramp. He travelled with very carefully applied leg boots - due to his ataxia we were concerned he might have struck his legs in transport even though we had not expected the reckless driving he was subjected to.

He had stayed on his feet for the journey but was extremely sweaty upon arrival. The professional transporter we'd hired were a nightmare and drove him quite recklessly as we saw part of the journey on the approach to and on the motorway in our car and were horrified. So we weren't surprised at his state on arrival especially as they arrived so quickly after us which meant they'd been speeding.

Just be wary when you unload him. Our transporter unloaded him without his chifney (he was incredibly strong in his neck) and as expected he tried to run off the ramp as he was so uncoordinated on his back end and the groom reacted by pulling at his head and this had the effect of knocking him off his feet.

I only tell you my story not to alarm you, but so you know that Finadyne helped and also, if I had my time again, apart from using a more sympathetic transporter, I'd have thought being nearer the driver at the front of the lorry would have been more beneficial for him than by the ramp. I would also have waited upon arrival for the horse to have steadied itself and 'caught its breath' before being unloaded.

And obviously ensure that he is travelled slowly and not thrown around like my poor horse was. I'm not sure where in the country you are based but if you want the transport company to avoid then feel free to PM me.

Research has shown that horses travelling rear facing are better able to cope with travelling as their 'braking mechanism' is their quarters. Therefore it stands to reason that they are able to steady themselves far easier when positioned this way. As long as your horse has freedom to move his neck and isn't cross tied too tightly (a horse moves its neck in order to balance itself) then it should be fine.

Good luck, hope he enjoys his new life, he sounds like he's moving to a lovely set up.

 

[Northern Hare]

Not exactly sure of distance. 25 miles perhaps. About 45 mins in time. 1 hour if going slowly. Rural roads, not single track lanes, fairly twisty in places, not hilly. I've done the journey once in a car, it didn't strike me as a bad journey.

Hi CG, thanks for your reply. Often horses travel really well facing backwards but with your horse's problems, it might be more difficult for him to balance. Would it be possible to do a short (and very slow) run out in the lorry first just to check? Otherwise, could you hire a trailer without a partition and travel him forwards? It would also need to have a front ramp as you'd probably need to avoid reversing him off a trailer.

Either way, try and time your journey for when the roads are as quiet as possible, and then go really, really slowly so he can stay nice and upright around any bends. I followed a large trailer last week around the lanes near here. It was being driven imho far too fast and you could see the horse having to work really hard to stay upright.

Good luck with your move.

 

[Northern Hare]

The vet didn't suggest anything like that when he came last week - so I'm guessing there's nothing they could give him to help. Thing is - he's not in pain. He just can't control his back end properly any more. What we need is a big sling that he can hang in, that will take the weight off his legs. ( only kidding - though it would be kind of useful!)

I think horse ambulance trailers used on racecourses and at events have slings. I don't know if hiring a horse ambulance might be a possibility?

 

[Red-1]

I am usually a fan of travelling backwards but, if his back end is compromised, forwards may be better, especially if he is used to travelling forwards.

That said, I travelled my wobbler back and forward to the vet a couple of times. He was used to rear facing travel in a 3.5 tonnes and he was fine. The only issue we had was the very slight slope on the ramp, he found even that an issue as in more effort and first time he reversed out again as he lost balance, which he would never normally do. After that, we parked so the ramp was slightly elevated so more or less level.

I drove mine as if he were made of glass. Once in, he travelled calmly and without incident, arriving cool and unflustered. He was a competent traveller before the wobblers though. Whatever yours was previously competent and confident at may be the best form of transport.

Presumably, if he is retiring as opposed to PTS, he has a reasonable level of ability to walk and stand?

 

[cowgirl16]

Before we travelled my 17hh WB with unconfirmed wobblers in 2005 to Liverpool Equine Hospital he was given a course of finadyne by the vet to stabilise him enough to travel. He had been extremely ataxic on 3 occasions until that point although had improved enough for the journey and the vet had determined he was fit for travel.

He was collected in a large lorry by a professional transporter at five in the morning and it was partitioned herringbone, he travelled st the rear of the lorry by the ramp. He travelled with very carefully applied leg boots - due to his ataxia we were concerned he might have struck his legs in transport even though we had not expected the reckless driving he was subjected to.

He had stayed on his feet for the journey but was extremely sweaty upon arrival. The professional transporter we'd hired were a nightmare and drove him quite recklessly as we saw part of the journey on the approach to and on the motorway in our car and were horrified. So we weren't surprised at his state on arrival especially as they arrived so quickly after us which meant they'd been speeding.

Just be wary when you unload him. Our transporter unloaded him without his chifney (he was incredibly strong in his neck) and as expected he tried to run off the ramp as he was so uncoordinated on his back end and the groom reacted by pulling at his head and this had the effect of knocking him off his feet.

I only tell you my story not to alarm you, but so you know that Finadyne helped and also, if I had my time again, apart from using a more sympathetic transporter, I'd have thought being nearer the driver at the front of the lorry would have been more beneficial for him than by the ramp. I would also have waited upon arrival for the horse to have steadied itself and 'caught its breath' before being unloaded.

And obviously ensure that he is travelled slowly and not thrown around like my poor horse was. I'm not sure where in the country you are based but if you want the transport company to avoid then feel free to PM me.

Research has shown that horses travelling rear facing are better able to cope with travelling as their 'braking mechanism' is their quarters. Therefore it stands to reason that they are able to steady themselves far easier when positioned this way. As long as your horse has freedom to move his neck and isn't cross tied too tightly (a horse moves its neck in order to balance itself) then it should be fine.

Good luck, hope he enjoys his new life, he sounds like he's moving to a lovely set up.

Dear Lord Birker - what a nightmare! Forgive my ignorance, but what is Finadyne, and how did it help your horse?

 

[cowgirl16]

I spoke to the transporter, he was available on the date I need - wasn't sure if rear or forward facing was better - then went to check with his other half that the timing of the trip was good with her - and a Vet just happened to be in the yard. He spoke with her about my horse's issues, and she confirmed what my Vet has told me. So forward facing it is. No partition, and cross tied. Had lots of replies on FB about transporters, so I'm in the process of trawling through them all now.

 

[Auslander]

Just seen your update, as I was about to post that I would try my utmost to find a forward facing box/trailer. My old boy has hindlimb issues, including shivers, and he travels like a dream facing forward, but is very unhappy backwards - to a point that if he realises he's turning right at the top of the ramp, he would rather die than load - and this is a horse who loads himself, turns himself, and shuffles into his space without any human interference

 

[cowgirl16]

Birker mentioned Finadyne, which was given to her horse before travelling. What is Finadyne?

 

[sport horse]

I have travelled several very unstable horses. I would try to find a trailer with a front unload and no partition just a full width breast bar. That way the horse can unload forwards and not have to turn on the vehicle. Find a driver who understands the horses problem and will drive very slowly and carefully. Then choose a time of day when there is very little traffic so that you do not p..... off other people held up by your trip. Not by choice I found myself driving a very, very unstable horse around the M25 on a weekday in the rush hour (heading to RVC) in a convoy with vets both ahead and behind. So sorry to those held up behind!!

 

[SEL]

Birker mentioned Finadyne, which was given to her horse before travelling. What is Finadyne?

Its a pain relief drug

My mare with hind end problems practically sits on the wall behind travelling backwards so I'm relieved you are looking for a forward facing transporter. Saying that when I moved yards 2 years ago with some lovely pro transporters its the first time neither her nor my old boy have come off the box dripping. So a good driver is critical.

Good luck

 

[Tiddlypom]

An escort vehicle closely following behind the slow moving horse transport with a flashing amber light on the roof, is that legal? It's not legal to travel with hazards on, but an amber flashing roof light would warn other drivers of a slow load. If it is legal.

 

[cowgirl16]

An escort vehicle closely following behind the slow moving horse transport with a flashing amber light on the roof, is that legal? It's not legal to travel with hazards on, but an amber flashing roof light would warn other drivers of a slow load. If it is legal.

No - it's not legal. Would be useful though!