Tying up horse in a trailer?

[Slinkyunicorn]

Have just got a new trailer so have been busy getting it ready for our first trip out - so obviously got out the statutory bailing twine to make loops for haynets etc etc and it got me thinking......

Why do we tie horses up in a trailer or a lorry? They are confined in a small space with bars etc to stop them moving or escaping so why do we tie them up to?

Would it not make more sense to leave them with a headcollar on so they can move more freely to balance themsleves better and just reattach lead rope on arrival etc

What does anyone else do or think?

Thoughts on a rainy sunday get chunks of handmade Italian chocolate

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

Nope, not leave loose . They try and turn round, which then gets very messy .

Should be tied so they can get their nose below wither level; means they can keep their nostirls and airways clear

 

[Brandy]

Oh yes they do try, and succeed!!, in turning round. Helps stop them biting each other and pinching each others haynets too

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

Oi! Slinks! Where's our choccy???

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Some people are sooooooooooooo demanding........*hands out choccy*

See I am always haunted by a horse that died during transport - it was tied up short and fell and broke its neck - essentially was hung by the short lead rope. I always tie mine up on long lead rein now - except the cob who no matter how she is tied up always unties it - she was rescued from travellers and apparently they commonly travel them untied.

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

I used to think they should travel untied, but having seen both Little Lad and the Dizzy one trying to turn round in there - too scary!

*muches noisely on choccies*

 

[mon]

clip mine to short tie/bungee straps with quick release catches leave them in trailer.

 

[Cliqmo]

Bentley has only ever travelled alone (having a buddy would probably require me to rethink the trailer-tying arrangements) as I travel him in the right hand side of my folks IW510 with the partition in place but I *loosely* cross tie him (to his side and the side intended for the other horse)... it means he can balance, drop his nose etc but can't actually turn around too far in either direction (he is one BIG lad to be trying antics like that )