travelling help

[blood_magik]

does anyone have any tips for calming down a stressy traveller?

I'm considering giving him a good dose of calmer before we load him.

he has tried to push the partition away and attempted to rear when he couldn't shift it

 

[wattamus]

my horse used to stress, so we used to box her and leave her in the box for maybe 15min- 30 min and then bring her out and just repeated and gradually increased the time and then did it whith the engine running. Then when we travelled i'd stay in eyesight and talk to her constantly.
She's now really good a boxes herself! she still sweats but thats just her nature. It takes a while but it's worth it in the end good luck with it whatever you try and do x

 

[*hic*]

Get a very calm travelling companion.

 

[blood_magik]

I've managed to borrow a friends pony so I'll try that tomorrow with a dose of calmer.
he usually settles once we start moving but I'm a bit worried that's he's going to hurt himself because he's getting himself in such a state

 

[forestfantasy]

If your in a trailer, remove the partition, my pony travels miles better without it, just cross tie instead

 

[wattamus]

no you don't want him hurting himself ant tbh (not in a petty way) but you don't want him damaging your new lorry either I'm sure he'll get over it eventually, one day ypu'll have a perfect traveler that falls asleep whilst he's in the box

 

[*hic*]

Just a thought, have you got the partitions spaced appropriately for him?

 

[blood_magik]

yes, I've shifted the partitions already - he's got enough space but he can't move about iykwim?

 

[*hic*]

If he was happy travelling in a trailer before then mimic the spacing as much as you can. I am intrigued though, had he ever travelled in a lorry before you had yours built?

 

[blood_magik]

yes - he's been in a 3.5T, a rented 7.5T and an HGV - he spent a good 6-7 hours in the HGV coming up from Newmarket.

im not sure if he's reacting off my nerves - maybe he's wanting attention or acting off it?

he always makes a racket and screams for his friends but once we move off he settles down and starts eating his hay.
the lorry does still smell new - I'll pop some of his shavings in tomorrow as well.

 

[blood_magik]

also just to add - he's been in the trailer and the 3.5T by himself.
he had company for the first leg of the trip from Newmarket.

 

[becca1305]

my old boy used to do that so it was a case of have everything in and ready to go shut the ramp asap and go go go! as soon as we were moving he was fine but if we werent he used to kick off! eventually he got to the point where he was calm so long as the engine was on. . However with your lad would just guess its the new lorry mine also smelled really strongly in the back when it arrived in fact when I visited it being built I had to get out the back because the smell made me feel ill! Also it must look really different to them too than a trailer! Has he travelled on his own in a big lorry before?- EDIT just seen your above reply has probably got something to do with it if hes trying to get out as soon as he gets in - big scary smelly lorry with a partition closing in on him Scary stuff!
None of mine have bothered about the "new" smell or complete change in travelling style but I wouldnt blame if they did, as youve said pop some shavings in there he will soon poo all down the walls and it will smell "normal" Im sure he will settle down soon .