Travelling small ponies safely?

muff747

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I have a trailer for my 16 hander and the breast bar is there, so I understand, so a horse will not be crashed into the front of the trailer in case of an accident.
So how do people with mini's travel them safely? I've just taken on a 12 h pony on loan and I want to take her to have a saddle fitted tomorrow so want to be safe.
 
well not sure about a 12hh other than getting the trailer modified with a lower breast bar etc! but im going to be moving my mini shettie soon, he's so tiny that I'm just going to put bales of hay/straw in front for him to lead onto!! a new mini was delivered to my friend last weekend and it was just travelled with out any support, which I didn't like!
 
1. Loose (fine when on own)
2. Tied to face rear of trailer if partition is safe to not get stuck under.
3. The usual way but with bales across front of breast bar
4. Best: as 3, but with home made board from breast bar to floor.

Happy transporting :)
 
I'm interested to see the replies on this, but when I bought my minis home I travelled them loose and they seemed fine.
 
I was equally concerned when I had to travel a 6 1/2 months old Poitou donkey foal to our place in Rutland from Cambridgeshire. We removed the breast and breeching bars and partitions from our Ifor Williams 510 trailer. We opened a bale of straw and spread it out inside and left another bale unopened toward the front of the trailer. The straw was very deep and banked. We put a pile of hay near the back by the ramp. We made sure the jockey door was locked. We were told to leave the foal loose in the trailer. I was assured that the foal would stand facing the rear. I was really worried about her. I was convinced she would fall over (even if she did, she was on such a deep bed of straw nothing could happen to her). We did as we were told and sure enough, she did face the rear for the whole trip. Take a deep breath...all will be well.
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions.
I did think about a bale of hay across the front and in the long term, I will get some extra brackets lower down for her.
I'm not too worried about normal travelling, just really for her safety if there was an accident.
Thanks again.
 
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