Travelling with a foal

[carousel8703]

Not strictly a breeding question but i thought you guys on here would have the most experience of travelling foals.
My foal will be about 4 months when we go to the BEF Futurity Evaluations and i will obviously be taking him along with his mum. I usually travel mum in a trailer with a breast bar but no partition (cross tied) do i travel the mare and foal (untied) like this together or without the breast bar????
We have already practiced loading and the foal is very good at it already.

 

[Bug2007]

We travelled our's cross tied in the trailer with breast bar and foal loose.

 

[madlady]

I had to take the breast bar out of our trailer because it was just at the wrong height for foalie and he could have easily got stuck so we took everything out of the trailer and travelled without incident.

 

[Maesfen]

I had to take the breast bar out of our trailer because it was just at the wrong height for foalie and he could have easily got stuck so we took everything out of the trailer and travelled without incident.

Please don't do this, it is so dangerous if you have to make an emergency stop or something, not actually sure if it's not illegal to travel without a breast bar either.

If you're worried that foal could slide under the breast bar then fill up the gap with something like bales of straw or shavings and fasten them that they can't fall down or even use a piece of ply with some holes drilled along the top to tie to the breast bar with something to fix it at the bottom.

FWIW, my six week foal and mare have just travelled down to Surrey, 200 miles, (small box though but principal the same) with mare tied but foal loose with her and headcollar removed for safety until unloading. Just heard they've arrived safely and travelled very well, not a peep out of either of them and as cool as cucumbers, just what we all want to hear.

 

[dianchi]

Saves me posting this question! Had been thinking about this one now that lil one is here and BEF entries are looming!

 

[carousel8703]

Thanks for your help everyone i had worried that it probably wasn't a good idea to take the breast bar out. I'm lucky that it can be set at two different heights so i will load up nearer the time and see what i think! If i am concerned i will fill the gap with something. Thanks xxx

 

[scrappydoo1]

hi i travell my mares and foals with front end of parition in only and foal loose

 

[Miss L Toe]

Foal loose, mare tied, no partition, but no shoes on, put some straw bales to stop foal getting out of control , drive slowly.

 

[lazybee]

The last time I did it I had the partition and the bars in place. Foaly lying down on the floor in the front of the trailer with a big haynet over his head for mum. He stayed like this for the whole journey (about 50miles). Not something I liked doing, but needs must.

 

[Simsar]

FWIW, my six week foal and mare have just travelled down to Surrey, 200 miles, (small box though but principal the same) with mare tied but foal loose with her and headcollar removed for safety until unloading. Just heard they've arrived safely and travelled very well, not a peep out of either of them and as cool as cucumbers, just what we all want to hear.

Where would that be then??

Cool as cucumbers, they were so laid back they were horizontal!!!

All settled in well, what a cracking foal Tara is and such a polite young lady a credit to her human mum

 

[Maesfen]

Where would that be then??

Cool as cucumbers, they were so laid back they were horizontal!!!

All settled in well, what a cracking foal Tara is and such a polite young lady a credit to her human mum

Lol, thank you for the updates today. So glad they travelled well and have settled in but don't let Tara lull you into a false sense of security, she can be a monkey! Will look forward to the pics, I hope you realise you will need to keep a Tara diary for me!

 

[jennygw]

Moving my mare and foal back home tomorrow am from stud. Have a small re facing 3.5t lorry, so taking out the partition and putting in plenty of straw. Will drive nice and slowly and have help with me just in case. Mum will be tied up and foaly loose. Nervous but sure they will be fine!

 

[Simsar]

We move our mares and foals in a lorry only wouldn't drive a trailer if you paid me, but I realise some people have to. Anyway we don't use straw either more grip on rubber. maybe a few shaving for long journey's for wee, always tie the mare and the space is always two horse width. xx

 

[mollymoo72]

Ive all ways travelled my mares and foals lose in the trailer its worked very well for me

 

[jennygw]

Moved Cat & baby Mouse today as said - him loose & Cat tied in my little lorry. Glad I put bedding in as when we drove away , he was having a good drink from mummy - was quite pleased he'd got her pinned in one place & then laid down next to her! So much so we had to wake him up on arrival home! Both travelled beautifully & settled in fabulous! As a first timer foal mover, couldn't have been better!

 

[GinnieRedwings]

Depends on the age of the foal.

Very young and up to 3-4 months - remove partition, breast bar firmly in - very dangerous without - with a specially made ply filling so foal can't go under the bar. Mum cross-tied, baby loose, no headcollar.

4 months upwards - tied up and partitioned like a grown up. But I do a lot of practicing. Lots of small journeys under close supervision and by the time they travel like grown ups, they are completely chilled about the process.

Max came back from stud with Mum ( 3 & 1/2 hour trip) last September (he was 5 months) tied up and partitioned next to Mum in the trailer. This was the last time he was travelled before I took him to the vet's to be gelded 2 weeks ago... when he literally dragged me onto the trailer (there & back ) where he travelled like a pro with his field companion, my section A pony Pippin.

Practice & more practice is key. Then travelling is no big deal, whichever way you choose to do it.