Travelling in a rear facing 3.5 tonne

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spotty_pony

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Just after a bit of advice. One of my horse's is being referred to Newmarket for an MRI scan in the coming weeks. I do not have my own transport but a friend has offered to take him down there in her 3.5 tonne horsebox (rear facing).

Alfie has only ever travelled in a herringbone 7.5 tonne lorry since I've had him (12 years) and I loaded him into the 3.5 today and he went on albeit a bit reluctantly. I didn't close the partition or anything today; just stood him and fed him over the partition where you hang the Haynet; he seemed ok but quite tense.

I'm just hoping and praying he is going to cope with the journey and travelling this way and not freak out. I will try and get hold of the lorry again before the day to have another practise and this time shut the partition. Any tips on how I can get him to relax and not tense and go into panic mode? Even considering asking the vet if I can give him 2ml of Sedalin For travelling just to take the edge off....
 
So he was fine today?
Is there any reason you are particularly worried about him?
Most horses I've known aren't too fussed about their travelling arrangements in whatever. My own struggled a bit (not visibly but got hot) in a long stall 3.5T because he was too short coupled to balance his arse and reach the hay and couldn't possibly stop eating.
 
ester said:
So he was fine today?
Is there any reason you are particularly worried about him?
Most horses I've known aren't too fussed about their travelling arrangements in whatever. My own struggled a bit (not visibly but got hot) in a long stall 3.5T because he was too short coupled to balance his arse and reach the hay and couldn't possibly stop eating.
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yes but I literally only got him in, didn't shut it up and go...

I only worry because about 5 years ago he was on the back of a 7.5 tonne box and we started the engine and the partition rattled and he panicked and kicked the partition down. I might be worrying unnecessarily but he is the kind of horse that wants to please but can worry and panic if unsure..
 
That makes a bit more sense as to why you have some concerns. Can he get over the breast bar in friends set up?
 
It's actually quite a high one. They can get their head over and into a small area in the back but only from about neck height - it's not as low as the ones in the van conversions. The box is completely rubber - walls, Floor and even the roof.. if Blau be being over cautious but understandably worried about him and don't want to break friend's lorry either! I'll maybe see if we can have another practise before the day and I'll shut the partition this time and may even see about a short drive... would you say a horse which gets worried needs more room or less? I think Alfie is a bit claustrophobic so I'm guessing have the partition open as much as I can? Or does this give him more room to freak out?
 
I'd have another practice if you can but a lot of horses will settle more once moving as they've got to focus on balancing. My old horse used to travel better not tied up but can't say it's something I'd experiment with in someone else's lorry (I first started doing at due to a quirk in the partition design of my box). If there's a few different settings I'd be tempted to give him a little extra room but would be hesitant to remove the partition totally as in this design of box some of them do use it for balance.
 
Sorry but i never travel a horse that can panic in a 3.5t that doesn't have a full back wall. The ones that have breast bars just aren't worth the risk
 
What’s a three quarter wall? Could he conceivably get his front legs hung up over it? What would happen if he did, would he be trapped?

A stallion box is better for a nervous traveller, there’s nothing to get hooked up on.

ETA Is this the sort of set up you mean?
0FCC45F9-5D76-462A-ABB2-6B35C0B914BF.jpeg
 
My 3.5 had a height adjustable breast bar that you could drop to the floor in an emergency. I would rather have that configuration than the solid partition Tiddlypom has pictured.
 
Most horses do travel quite nicely in them. Could your friend take you around the block once before the long trip to see how he gets on with it. I second taking out the partition or securing it at a wide angle as many horses stand more comfortably at an angle. It's less restrictive and means that can lean on the partition like they would in any herringbone model.
 
IngramsRoughDiamond said:
Sorry but i never travel a horse that can panic in a 3.5t that doesn't have a full back wall. The ones that have breast bars just aren't worth the risk
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This or a jump shelf. There are a few good transporters in your arena, its worth getting a quote from Bob Jewell (East mids horse transport- 7.5 tonne herringbone lorry and he will bring a pony friend along if horse travels better in company) or Sarah Ackroyd (Ackroyd horse transport 3.5 tonne Bloomfields professional stallion box) both are still working at min :)
 
ElleSkywalker said:
This or a jump shelf. There are a few good transporters in your arena, its worth getting a quote from Bob Jewell (East mids horse transport- 7.5 tonne herringbone lorry and he will bring a pony friend along if horse travels better in company) or Sarah Ackroyd (Ackroyd horse transport 3.5 tonne Bloomfields professional stallion box) both are still working at min :)
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Agreed, whilst hire can seem expensive, it's far cheaper than paying for damages to a friends box, or at least cheaper than most insurance excess.
 
The wall is probably about 3/4 high. The jockey area is split into two so you have to go through two doors from the back of the lorry until you get into the horse section and there is a solid wall between the first and second section. I think I'll see about loading him into it again and taking him around the block and if he is still not happy or I'm still not convinced I will look for a 7.5 tonne to take him. Horse travels fine alone, that's not the issue. I will travel in the back with him if we go round the block and see if that helps.
 
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