Travelling horse alone

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Thanks to Coronavirus this has been a mad few months for my horse.

Due to an unforeseen change in circumstances I now need to travel him back to his full livery yard in 2 weeks which is 4.5 hours from where we are now. He traveled down here fine. Has always traveled alone fine.

BUT. Since the initial move he has become intensely attached to the two ponies he is stabled with. They are a small herd of 3 on a private yard. Previously he was on a big yard.

I have practised and practised loading. He will now self load.

My concern is travelling him alone. After a break in riding to comply with the lockdown I have been unable to hack him alone. I can't safely get him away from the ponies.

I always hacked alone before.

I have done loads of groundwork with him. He is in general really well behaved. Just sensitive. I have tried leading him away from the others on the ground. It's hard as we have get past a load of parked cars. I lose my confidence when he starts messing around close to the cars. Ridden he throws a tantrum which I am not good enough to ride through.

Any ideas to help us move forward?

 

[Henry02]

Can he be separated from the ponies at all

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

No. My next step was to try leaving him in the field and take the ponies away for a bit.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

I can load him in the field. He will go into the trailer alone. I was planning to take him for a few short trips alone bringing him back to the ponies.

He loved the routine of the livery yard. He was so well cared for. I am sure the problems will resolve when he is back there. It's just getting him there.

 

[meleeka]

No. My next step was to try leaving him in the field and take the ponies away for a bit.

I think the one left is always worse than the one going, so I’d probably avoid doing this. If he’s always been fine before I’d just make sure the ponies have some tasty food and load him. If they don’t call he’ll probably be fine.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

I think the one left is always worse than the one going, so I’d probably avoid doing this. If he’s always been fine before I’d just make sure the ponies have some tasty food and load him. If they don’t call he’ll probably be fine.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Last time I tried walking him away I gave the ponies licks. He was definitely better without them calling.

 

[Goldenstar]

Be ready to go ,engine running load him get the ramp up get moving .

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Be ready to go ,engine running load him get the ramp up get moving .

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Do you think I should do practise trips or will that reinforce that he goes on his own.

Should I just keep practising the loading. Which is a massive win from where we were a few months ago.

 

[Goldenstar]

I think if he travelled well last time he’s likely to travel well again .
Theres no harm in doing practice trips if you have time .

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Thanks. Having such a ridiculous week. Husband has lost his job and we have lost our Grazing on the same day. So packing everyone up again!!

 

[milliepops]

Be ready to go ,engine running load him get the ramp up get moving .

this.
I find even the tricky ones, if they are generally good travellers, will just concentrate on their balance in the box when you get moving.

 

[silv]

Be ready to go ,engine running load him get the ramp up get moving .

that is exactly what I would do.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

No messing, load and go. He should soon settle even if he is a bit upset to start. Giving the ponies something to occupy them is a good idea.

 

[doodle]

Yep get everything ready to go, load and go without hanging around.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I had two that were so attached either one of them would go crazy if the other left. Really kind of hurt themselves crazy. One worse than the other. We led both up to the horse box, loaded the worse one, with the other one waiting but not actually going to be loaded. Shut everything up quick as you like and drive him off while she got led away to a new box with a couldn't care less pony next door. I 100% expected one or both of them to injure themselves after separation... neither of them gave a flying fandango. It was the most bizarre thing. After a few weeks we were even able to move the second one to the new yard and we then kept them separate and they didn't get attached again.

Long story short, I reckon your boy will be fine!

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Thanks everyone. I feel reassured.