Unload from Ifor 510

Daytona

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 August 2008
Messages
3,200
Visit site
My horse is 17hh and just turned 5 , I have just got a trailer but when unloading him he keeps catching his right side and dragging it along the side of the trailer which must be uncomfortable and also spooks him a bit , I got someone to watch from behind and it's not his fault his quarters are still in behind the centre pole that hold partion when his shoulders need to be turning to get out so his side scraps along as he exits, now I'm am worried if it keeps happening it might make him become difficult to load as he seems a bit uneasy when unloading.

I do open the front right up attaching his front partion to opposite wall to give him as much space as possible to get out but it would appear its just his body is too long to avoid it happening

Does anyone have this issue and got any advice.

I don't want to end up with a horse that won't load as he scared of hurting his side unloading.
 
I haven't got much help for you I'm afraid, but I would suggest that he always wears a rug, it may cushion the 'rub' and stop him spooking. If you travel him alone, use single breast bars and cross tie, I find my cob travels much more happily like this.
 
Maybe backing him out will be the best idea, or if you travel in company, put him on the left hand side so he has more room to turn and an easier turn, but don't travel on the left side alone as it weighs the trailer the wrong side to the drains on the road and roundabouts and could cause an accident

:)
 
No I travel alone, someone did mention using single breast bar but I was worried its too wide a space and he might fall about or even turn round if he breaks cross ties.

Next time I was going to try backing him out, as if I keep going the way I am I think it will put him off, there just too tight for a big horse I think
 
I travel my youngster without a partition and cross tied. Think she finds it bit of a squeeze with the partition. I think quite a few people travel like this and it helps the horse find its own balance.

It would certainly help with your unloading problem as he could get a 'clear run'.
 
Might cost a bit but if you like the trailer, get the partition changed.

My old Rice trailers hinged from the front or back meaning you could swing the whole partition. Not as easy as the Ifor but stop the problem you mention.

I have actually noticed it with our 16.2 in our Ifor but if we unload her slowly and get her to turn we can get away with it. I'm afraid she often steps off the side of the ramp anyway to avoid the turn.
 
Never yet seen a horse get uncomfortable with no partition, yet seen loads have issues with them!
 
Has anyone had any problems travelling with no partion using single breast bars..??

I travel my 16.2 WB with no partition as he can be a bit tricky to load and the extra space means he goes in- I was surprised how well he travels in there stand either in the middle or just to the drivers side and travels beautifully (he always has though its just the loading that could be the issue). I used to have a 17hh hanovarian which we travel in a 505 and instead of trying to follow the ramp down we used to walk straight ish and step off the left hand side of the front ramp (drivers side).

I am hoping that in time i can reintroduce the partition so we can take the ponies too
 
I have exactly the same thing with our 17h horse. Ours has the partition in as we have two horses, but we fold the front end across to make it wider when we take the big horse out. I also find that we have to lead him diagonally across the ramp as he is the same as yours, not past the centre before his back end is out. When I say diagonally, I mean that we lead him off the left side of the ramp (by the back of the car) rather than actually down the ramp.

I would try giving him some feed in your hand as he comes out, to distract him from panicing and knocking himself, then you can step his back end round a bit until he gets the hang of what you want.

If there is only him in I would definately take the middle partition out.
 
Had this problem with a horse who was claustrophobic, panicked to get out the trailer kept catching his hip which in turn made him worse to load. Took to unloading him out the back door and it solved a lot of problems he loaded better and came out slowly instead of rushing.
 
My previous horse always did that in the 505 ifor williams so i always unloaded her backwards. I regularly travel with full width breast and breaching bars, no partition & cross tied, as there is more room to tack up in the trailer on a wet day and i have had no problems. My current horse often stands diagonally and balances quite easily as there is more room for her to splay her feet. I now have an ifor 511 and some of my friends with the 510 think its a bit wider on the front ramp - not sure if this is true or just looks more spacious!
 
Right that's it decided I'm binning the partion and away to buy full length bars, I go alone so no requirement for partition. Hopefully makes him more comfortable.
 
Top