Travelling conundrum ...

[KateB999]

Hi,

I'm a newbie and looking for some advice please...

I have a trailer and a horse that in the past has had loading issues, which "touch wood" I am able to manage using natural horsemanship techniques. Horse now travelling quite happily and 9 times out of 10 loading straight away.

My problem comes in the form of a firends horse who I give lifts along with mine. The other horse is very food obsessed and fights over the haynets in the trailer and ends up stomping so much the trailer starts to sway - this is worse when sat at lights etc but still continues when I am driving. I have tried a head divide but my horse doesn't like being contained so thats not a viable option.

I don't want my horse to start to feel the trailer is somewhere he should be wary of and don't want to undo all the good work we have both done, but don't want to upset my friend by saying I can't give her lifts anymore.

Am I being too sensitive? Has anyone come across this before and found a way round it ... any help advice appreciated ...

 

[gummybear]

Im sure your friend would understand if you explained that you do not feel happy travelling the horses together with the trailer swaying, and as you have just got your horse loading/travelling fine, you do not want to upset him and be back to square one.

I wont travel anyone's horse with mine that does not travel well for fear of upsetting my horse - his happiness is my priority.

 

[Sparkles]

if it's not too far travelling, could you just travel without haynets if no food would solve arguing?

 

[*hic*]

Either take the haynets out or tie your friend's horse up conventionally and also further back in the lorry so it has head movement but can't get it's head past the centreline of the trailer.

 

[KateB999]

Thanks for the help guys!

Yes, thought of removing the haynets but mine needs something to keep him occupied so I'd rather not go down that route.

Must admit, I think I know the best thing is not to take my friends horse, I just don't want to appear to be mollycoddling mine - but as gummybear said I have to think of his happiness and comfort as travelling isn't easy for them.

Looks like I need to break the news to my friend

 

[foraday]

It is your trailer so therefore you decide what goes in.

It sounds like you have done a lot of work with your horse so why spoil it.

You could go down the line that due to all the recent press about 'illegal horse transport' that you don't wish to be breaking the law and carry her horse not actually using the excuse about your horse and what you prefer.

HH did a fab article on said laws about horse transport late last year