travelling problems

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lkc80

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I'm looking for some help or advice. My 15.2hh TB appears to be a bad traveller. When he arrived at my yard intially he was very hot, sweaty and tired. He had travelled approx 3 1/2hrs so i didnt think too much of it. I had been told by the previous owners that he has been naughty to load previously. So I decided i would go back to basics and take time to load him quietly with food. I got him in a friends 2 horse lorry (faces backwards) and as soon as we closed him in he panicked and very much wanted out. Since then it has taken longer each time to get him in. I have also had him in a trailer with the same experience when he is closed in. Myself and a friend took him in the trailer for a short trip (approx 1 1/2miles). There was banging from the trailer the whole way! He was quite hot when he came off. Last night I took him in my friends 2 horse lorry and we went approx 2miles. I could see him through the window which was good, his back end seemed to dip a couple of times but he was quiter than he had been in the trailer, we decided to go a little further as he seemed quite settled. All of a sudden for no apparant reason he started rearing, he got in a panic and ended up with his feet over the grill. We got the lorry off the road and i went in to help him. He was a sorry sight dripping with sweat and very tired. He had one foot in the gap where his head should be and the other had gone through the mesh area of the grill. Somehow i managed to encourage him to break free. He luckily escaped with some cuts and bruises. Has anyone had this type of experience? If so what did you do to solve the problem? Any ideas on why he may be acting like this? The driver was very slow and considerate. I am concerned as i really want to compete but i don't know how to solve the travelling problem if it can be solved.
 
I wouldnt travel him he sounds dangerous for himself and others. tbh i wouldnt touch a bad traveller or loader - they just arent worth it!
 
Are you travelling him herringbone or just facing backwards? Some horses prefer travelling with herringbone partitions as opposed to facing forwards or backwards.

Have you also tried travelling with no partitions? It may be balance or claustrophobic related issues.
 
We had a pony who had been in a fire at our stables and wouldnt initially load or when we did eventually he panicked as he was claustrophobic, reared up and put a hole in the lorry roof. We sold him to some friends and they have worked really hard, firstly using natural horsemmanship methods etc, he is fab now. Somethimes it just takes abit of time and patience. obviously you need to be very careful but if you want to make a difference and help him, 'bad travellers' 'bad loaders' arent the end of the world, jus depends how much time you can afford it, Good Luck
 
A friend did sugggest travelling without a partition. He travelled to my yard intially herringbone, he was very hot a sweaty when he arrived so i can only assume he didn't travel well then either. If i travel him without a partition do i need a breast bar? When he does panic he has no self preservation and seems like he will just do anything to get out of the situation. It is quite scary. I do want to help him but at the same time if i keep him for another 6months to a year i will become too attached to give him up! I think his problem is definately the travelling/being closed in the box rather than the loading.
 
Have you tried him in a trailer with the top door over the ramp open? It causes horror from some people when we arrive at or leave an event like this, but it is the only way my arab will settle while travelling. If you remove the partition you must have a breast bar, we had one made for the trailer when we discovered that it was the only way our mare could travel ( she just fell over when constricted by the partition - v. traumatic all round) it was only about 20 pounds - few years ago now tho'.
 
My horse panics when shut in a trailer to the point he tried to get through the jockey door and I now cant get the ramp up as I cant keep him in long enough to do so, so we have given up and I am looking for a lorry. My horse travels fine in a wagon, just an expensive alternative
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. I would try without the partition and yes you need a full length breast bar. Personnally Im not in favour of the front top door being left open but Ive seen many who do do it without a problem.
 
you could always start from the very very beginning...thats if u plan in keeing him,it sounds like it could be a long process with him. I had a mare who travelled with no problems and then suddenly started freaking out in the trailer for no reason whatsoever at an event. we managed to get her home but she wouldn't go anywhere near the trailer after that so we had to just start again and go slow with her. start by just loading him, with no partition and stay in with him, keep the ramp open (helps to have a helper!!). praise him and maybe give him a treat. repeat everyday until he's comfortable just standing there, then repeat with the ramp closed (this one might take a while) and then progress to starting the engine of the towing vehicle and not moving.after this u should be able to do short journeys.keep them very short though for the first while, very slow, no hills if poss and as few bends as u can manage.its a matter of perseverance and if you have to take it back a step at any stage,do.

If u decide to keep him I really hope this helps you! it worked for me
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My advice would be to feed him each day for three months in a lorry so that it becomes part of his daily routine. Keep feed in the lorry so that it smells of feed and he associates it with a pleasant experience. Then start taking him round the block in the lorry each day for three months. Making it part of an enjoyable daily routine should fix the problem once and for all.
 
Agree with travelling with no partitions and allowing him as large an area as possible to plant himself. Good luck!!
 
Thankyou for all your suggestions. I had started off loading him without travelling and just feeding him in the trailer/lorry so will go back to that a few times before i try to travel. Think i will try the no partition as i can't afford to get a lorry of my own and i think the 2horse lorry travelling facing backwards is now definately out of the question. I will post an update soon! Thanks again
 
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