Travelling a yearling

[Rebels]

Ok, possibly going to get a yearling, its never been in a lorry before and would have a 4 hour journey back to us. I would rather not put one of the others in the lorry as they would have an 8 hour journey and wouldnt get out for a run at the destination. Do i travel with a wide partition or narrow. Loose or tied up. hay or not. how many stops. i dont like unloading at service stations as they may not reload but obviously there would be water stops. also do i boot it or not (never worn boots). I don't want to stress it as it will be a competition horse in the future so this is the first travelling experience. Any help much appreciated.

 

[ttt]

Personally, no partitions, leave him loose, loads of straw, slices of hay on the floor. Don't stop, just keep driving. You will probably find he will be facing backwards when you get home.

 

[debsflo]

we recently bought an unhandled yearling home.admittedly shes a minature but no boots,no partition ,untied.she was as good as gold and very settled.

 

[irishdraught]

Personally, unless you are travelling a yearling pony, I always use a partition with a yearling horse and have it tied.
I leave enough room for the horse to find a natural balance but not so much that they try to turn round. Partitions do give a bit of support and security. We have a sprinkling of shavings towards to back to help absorb any moisture and it makes cleaning up afterwards easier.

A lot of straw down can upset balance sometimes. We also like to travel with hay, in a net when tied up as it gives the horse something to occupy itself with and is a nice distraction. Some nice tasty haylage is a good alternative as a treat plus it helps with that little bit extra moisture.

I wouldn't put anything on its legs if it isn't used to the feeling as this may stress it out and encourage kicking in an attempt to get said item off its legs.

We have travelled many a youngster for its first time and have never experienced any problems.

If all is well, I would offer water about half way and it gives you the opportunity to check that all is well but do bear the weather in mind. If you travel on a warm day or if you are held in traffic etc, it may be worth your while stopping a couple of times. If you have CCTV you can keep an eye out as you are travelling and play it by ear.

It will help if your youngster has had some loading practise beforehand as it will all be less alien to it.

All the above is from personal experience but I am sure everyone has different methods that work equally as well for them. Do whatever makes you and your horse comfortable. The best advice I can give though is to stay as calm and relaxed as possible. If you think the experience is going to worry you or stress you out, keep away from the loading as it is amazing how quickly the vibes can be picked up.

 

[Llanali]

Totally agree with ttt. Take everything out including haynets, take all headcollars etc. off him, don't even consider boots/rugs. Chuck a couple of sections of hay in, close all doors and go for it.

Don't stop, no matter what banging you may hear, and certainly don't open the door into the living if you have one, though i always find after ten mins they lie down and snooze off.

 

[Gonetofrance]

Agree with Irishdraught.......

I'd also partition against the living/cab wall, with loads of shavings and tied so that it cannot get under the front of the partition.

Tie it before you close the partition. They can be like lightning to dive underneath. Even when there is no room, they can find some........

 

[LCobby]

Shavings, no boots or rugs, take haylage net ( small hole,s less risk of getting caught up) and fill with the forage they are used to, Take water containerr and fill with the water they are used to. Take friend/groom .
Top up with fuel before you get the collection yard, so you dont' have to stop for fuel.
We have a solid to floor partition so she had plenty of roon without risk of diving underneath.
We stopped after two hours for a short break and offered water, and she arrived home calm and happy after four and a half hours.
Have a good trip!

 

[Gonetofrance]

[ QUOTE ]

We have a solid to floor partition so she had plenty of roon without risk of diving underneath.


[/ QUOTE ]

Me too, it was the front walkway gap that a couple went for........

This thread just goes to show that different ideas seem to work equally well.

 

[pinkcatkin]

I would go for no partitions, haynet or forage on floor, full block to living space, if it is a 4 hour journey then taken gently there should be no need for stops and certainly no unloading.