Travelling your horse - how do you do it?

SaffronWelshDragon

SaffronWelshDragon

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Just after some advice / feedback really. I come from a non-horsey family - I was very lucky to get my first pony when I was 11, which didn't leave much money for other things, such as going out competing etc. Wizz on a few years (I'm 28) - I am now very much wanting to get out competing (particularly dressage).

However, I have a two pronged problem. Firstly, Saf, my 19 year old, whom I've had since she was 7, has done hardly any travelling since I've had her - only the last few years have I got my mojo back, having been very happy hackers previously and not motivated to do much else. So she has a worrying habit of, firstly not loading (she's just very stubborn and plants) and once she's loaded, she has been improving with a pressure headcollar, lunge rope and lots of treats, we will shut the ramp and she'll freak when she realises she can go backwards, and sit down! I think it worries me more than her. She always travels fine when we're going, arrives chilled and in no hurry to get out.

Secondly, is me. I have a lovely YO who happily lends me her trailer for a nominal fee. My OH has to tow due to me not have that extra bit of licence, not a problem but he's not that horsey so I feel a bit bad relying on him, even though he doesn't mind. This was all going well until my sis' Discovery failed it's MOT a few months ago. We couldn't afford to repair him, so he was sold. Sis now looking for a Freelander as would like something a bit more comfortable but still good in snow. Obviously we can't tow trailer with this :( Partly I find the whole travelling thing hard, because I was never brought up doing it. I'm sure my worries are transferred to Saf, so she misbehaves.

So now what? I really love my own car, but it is a normal car and would never tow a trailer anyway, I am loathe to sell him as I've had him years and very reliable. The more I think about it the more I like the 3.5T lorries, I could drive one on my licence, they look very low stress (compared to a trailer!) Obviously the problem is money.

It's all very frustrating, I would love to go out competing but I'm stuck! So I would like to know, what would you do in my situation? And how do you all manage yourselves? What's your setup like? I would love to give load up, nip off to a comp, do our thing then come home.

Thanks if you got this far!
 
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I was in a very similar situation to you but 12 months ago I did my HGV test and haven't looked back since.

I used to feel ill at the thought of travelling my horses but now I am completely fine with it and am out most weekends on my own.

It's probably not much help to you in regards of what you can do but I just wanted to say that with time and practice the stress of travelling will be a thing of the past :)
 
my 22yo will not load if he's by himself or you try to put him in first but put his pal in there and he can't wait to get up the ramp. I generally always take someone with me even if I only have one horse just to be safe.

We currently have a 7.5T lorry but we're overweight with all three of the boys in it. Cannot wait for our 12T to be built.
 
dianchi said:
Why not hire a 3.5tn box as and when you need?
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Thanks, I actually looked into this the other day, however it seems to be around £100 a day, which was a bit ouch! Maybe it's the way forward, obviously it would cost a heck of a lot more to buy one!

3Beasties said:
I was in a very similar situation to you but 12 months ago I did my HGV test and haven't looked back since.

I used to feel ill at the thought of travelling my horses but now I am completely fine with it and am out most weekends on my own.

It's probably not much help to you in regards of what you can do but I just wanted to say that with time and practice the stress of travelling will be a thing of the past :)
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Thanks :) I did wonder at one point whether to skip the trailer test and go straight for HGV, doesn't it cost a fortune though? Even then I'd still have to buy a lorry - and in my mind bigger lorry = more money, upkeep etc!

webble said:
If you are just travelling one horse under about 16hh a 3.5t will be fine and also comes in handy for moving hay furniture etc. The problem will be with weight if you want to travel two over about 14.2
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Now this was my concern, in the future, my sis would want something around 15hh, and when Saf retires I'd be looking at something similar. Long term it doesn't look like a good option.
 
I have a very similar back story and over the last year have started to compete my horses. I bought a 3.5t but can only take one horse as both are over 15hh.

I find it easy enough to go and compete on my own at the weekends. The lorry is easy to drive and the more I take my boys out, the more chilled they are in it.

Good luck and enjoy yourself!
 
blood_magik said:
my 22yo will not load if he's by himself or you try to put him in first but put his pal in there and he can't wait to get up the ramp. I generally always take someone with me even if I only have one horse just to be safe.

We currently have a 7.5T lorry but we're overweight with all three of the boys in it. Cannot wait for our 12T to be built.
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I thought this with Saf, but even if I put her best mate in first she still plants. She never travels alone and we've brought Moo along for the ride for Saf's benefit!

LFD said:
I have a very similar back story and over the last year have started to compete my horses. I bought a 3.5t but can only take one horse as both are over 15hh.

I find it easy enough to go and compete on my own at the weekends. The lorry is easy to drive and the more I take my boys out, the more chilled they are in it.

Good luck and enjoy yourself!
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Cheers LFD, this is what I need :) I'm tempted to hire a 3.5T a few times to see if Saf likes it. I suppose if I bought one I could always sell it later on.

Thanks for all the stories - lots of positive thoughts needed! I'm going to make my new years resolution to get out and about in 2014. It's great to see people in my situation have turned it around, keep the stories coming :)
 
Go out on lots of trips with a chilled friend! Even if you don't take your horse, but go to help with theirs, I'm sure it helps you become more chilled.

I'm 26 and did my trailer test. I'm often out and about with one or two on my own. Happy as anything.

I've had years of going everywhere with Dad, and we have our own little routines about travelling and loading so everyone knows what is going on. Makes it so much easier, and when friends come with me, they tend to pick up our routine and transfer it to travelling their horses.
 
I used to have a big old ford cargo, reliable , but heavy to drive and load on my own. I now have a 3.5 and I'm always out and about with it- wish I'd had it years ago! I can just get two of my welsh cobs in weight -wise but no spare weight capacity for lots of kits and feed ...but its fine for days out competing. One of mine used to be a great loader but is now stubborn and plants herself...no idea why she has gone off it as she was always v good. If yours is like this I'd definitely suggest a few 15 minute runs out then home and keep at it - this should help guard against a lovely day out and then a non-loader to come home :-(
Worth trying to borrow a 3.5 for a try go. I've lent mine to a few people at the yard I'm at to 'give it a go'
 
Why dont you hire a 3.5 ton for a weekend and have a play around with it, loading your horse doing short journeys and that way you can see if its for you, we have an old 3.5 ton its a lovely coach build so horses travel lovely in it, I only really take one at a time and I do prefer to go with someone if I have a horse on board, but many people do go alone plus my oh mainly drives us and we love the freedom of being able to go where you like.
 
I currently have a 3.5t which I love, but due to weight can only take one of the girls and that's with a decent payload for these boxes! Genie on her own (15hh Welsh Sec D) weighs about 550kg when fully fit. I've just bought a 7.5t so I can take both, my provisional came through today and I'm looking forward to being able to take both horses out! Fanfare had never been in a box before when I got her but went up the ramp after having a look, and both travel brilliantly in it.
 
I travel all varieties of livestock all the time, but still feel ill everytime, unless it's an extremely short trip. I'm worst with the horse - she's fine, but I worry about her rearing, breaking a leg etc. the other stock are much more robust. My worst nightmare is being involved in an accident and ending up with animals running around on a motorway.

But, just have to suck it up and get on with it! Make sure you've done everything you can for safetly. I'm hot on vehicle maintenance!
 
I debated a lot and then took my test. Once you have done it then it lasts forever. Plus they keep making it more difficult and more expensive to take.

I did already have a trailer and my husband has a towing vehicle so it worked out well.
 
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