Urgent: Idea's for keeping a pony happy on the lorry

[Emma S]

My friend's new ride is a bit of a nightmare at shows. Fine to travel and fine in company but as soon as the friend is taken away we have one very unhappy horse.

It is fine when you stand with him and only kicks off when you move further away (still in sight) and has no company.
They are competing at different levels so the 2 horses come off the lorry at different times and he has to stand on there on his own. It is not feasible for some to stay with him, as she rides and I'm adjusting warm up fences! also not possible to have another horse on the lorry.

Generally he is not nappy at all, and there is no panic when the other horse goes, he is just being naughty. He stomps and kicks out in front and behind.

We have tried cotton wool in the ears so he cant hear other horses moving around, we have left him completely on his own to see if he eventually settled, we have also tried hobbling (he is used to being hobbled!) and he always has haylage to keep busy with.

Nothing is having effect, any suggestions at all?
We were thinking of a mirror but not sure if this will work, has anybody had success with this?

 

[Jools1234]

if he is not panicking i would leave him to it but with a haynet he will get bored and stand there eventually

 

[Emma S]

Thanks, we have tried that. The show stewards came to find us because he was kicking the absolute crap out of the lorry and likely to injure himself. So we really need to find a way to make him think someone is with him.
I 'think' he had been 'put in his place' for it before because if you are stood more than an arms reach away he starts off..

 

[ponypilotmum]

what about a radio?

 

[Jools1234]

i would pad the areas he is kicking, leave a big poster to say you know he kicks the lorry when left and he will stop if everyone ignores him Or sit outside so he cannot see you asking people to leave him alone and ignore him.

if you cant have someone stay with him all the time forever and you cannot take a nanny pony for him then i dont see that you have much choice

 

[scarymare]

You need to take him away first.

Take him away lead him out of sight of the other horse and then when friend is out of sight of lorry with the other one then go back and tie him up.

I have no idea why this works but got taught it by somebody who could best be described as a tinker. Something psychological about not being the one left I suspect.

Seriously, give it a try!

 

[Emma S]

what about a radio?

We will give this a go!

You need to take him away first.

Take him away lead him out of sight of the other horse and then when friend is out of sight of lorry with the other one then go back and tie him up.

I have no idea why this works but got taught it by somebody who could best be described as a tinker. Something psychological about not being the one left I suspect.

Seriously, give it a try!

Very interesting idea, might give that a go and see if it helps! He can be just as bad if he is the only one taken out to a show and standing on the lorry alone.
I've never known one quite like it that just doesnt give up!

 

[stencilface]

I used to sit outside mine and just wait for him to stop which he eventually did. I did at first stand to the side with a long schooling whip, and tap his legs when he started pawing the ground.

Now I know he'll create when I leave him, but also I know he'll get distracted by the hay soon enough

 

[ghostie]

if you have the facilities, time and patience you could try the following:

load him every single day to give him his feed. To begin with load, feed unload. Then load him and walk away. Ignore him if he kicks off, but the moment he stops give him praise and his feed. Gradually build up the amount of time he has to be quiet for before you feed him until you can leave him for half an hour or more. No reason not to leave him with a net whilst he's waiting for his feed. Essentially clicker training on a grand scale - operant conditioning is fab in these sort of situations

 

[Emma S]

He isn't a food orientated sort, the kicking stops and starts not constant but also doesnt stop for very long. I try to stay in view of the lorry so I can see when he is making a racket.
Doesnt seem to be anythhing particular setting him off!

 

[Emma S]

Thanks ghostie, certainly something to consider, had only ever thought of that with bad loaders. will relay all the ideas!

 

[idx]

You need to take him away first.

Take him away lead him out of sight of the other horse and then when friend is out of sight of lorry with the other one then go back and tie him up.

I have no idea why this works but got taught it by somebody who could best be described as a tinker. Something psychological about not being the one left I suspect.

Seriously, give it a try!

I agree with this. If he isnt happy on his own you may have to stay with him but not seeing the other horse leave will stop him getting upset in the first place you can then work on him being used to you being out of sight eg go in to front of lorry then go back and check on him building up the time you are away gently.

 

[widget]

Mirror in box?

 

[Emma S]

Mirror in box?

This was the next thing I wanted to try but has anyone done it before with sucess??

 

[Vickijay]

Years ago 2 of my mares were like this. I just kept at it, made sure they were safe in boots and let them have at it. A few sessions and they were much better. I also used to take them both out for lessons so 1 would have to wait while I rode the other one, the poor truck got a absolute pasting to begin with but they both did improve and were fine.

I had to ride it out though, if I had of pandered to them when they were doing it they would of only learnt that kicking the hell out of the truck got them what they want but I'm not sure out competing is the best place for sorting it out.

 

[nikCscott]

Years ago 2 of my mares were like this. I just kept at it, made sure they were safe in boots and let them have at it. A few sessions and they were much better. I also used to take them both out for lessons so 1 would have to wait while I rode the other one, the poor truck got a absolute pasting to begin with but they both did improve and were fine.

I had to ride it out though, if I had of pandered to them when they were doing it they would of only learnt that kicking the hell out of the truck got them what they want but I'm not sure out competing is the best place for sorting it out.

I don't take 2 anywhere so can't offer any advise from my own experience- but this sounds like a great idea- you and your friend book lessons explain to trainer that it will be an all round education for the one left on the lorry too but at least no one will be there to get upset by the racket and you both get training too- win -win!

Good luck!

 

[Jools1234]

Years ago 2 of my mares were like this. I just kept at it, made sure they were safe in boots and let them have at it. A few sessions and they were much better. I also used to take them both out for lessons so 1 would have to wait while I rode the other one, the poor truck got a absolute pasting to begin with but they both did improve and were fine.

I had to ride it out though, if I had of pandered to them when they were doing it they would of only learnt that kicking the hell out of the truck got them what they want but I'm not sure out competing is the best place for sorting it out.

thats a good point and sounds like a great plan

 

[Grinchmass]

When I go with my friend to shows with her two, I have to hold the other to save loosing the trailer door, they're generally good as long as they're in sight of the other, if not I just get spun in a few circles... But better than leaving them in the trailer and comming back to find bits broken or have them screeching...

 

[Rudolph's Red Nose]

You need to take him away first.

Take him away lead him out of sight of the other horse and then when friend is out of sight of lorry with the other one then go back and tie him up.

I have no idea why this works but got taught it by somebody who could best be described as a tinker. Something psychological about not being the one left I suspect.

Seriously, give it a try!

Worked with my friends mare - she used to tie up to side of lorry and munch away happily if you took her away first for a wander out of sight and then take back once companion had gone but take her companion away first she went mad and did not settle at all..

 

[Old Bat]

I've done the mirror! It worked a treat for my stressy pony and he travels and stays on his own much better with the mirror. However, another mare who travelled in the same compartment at a different time kicked seven bells out of the lorry as she didn't like her space encroached by the stranger in front of her. she was a phsyco though

Scarymare's advice is good too.

I did park up at one show in the summer next to a trailer with a rockinghorse stood on a haybale in the spare side!!!!!

 

[Emma S]

I've done the mirror! It worked a treat for my stressy pony and he travels and stays on his own much better with the mirror. However, another mare who travelled in the same compartment at a different time kicked seven bells out of the lorry as she didn't like her space encroached by the stranger in front of her. she was a phsyco though

Scarymare's advice is good too.

I did park up at one show in the summer next to a trailer with a rockinghorse stood on a haybale in the spare side!!!!!

Thats great, just wanted to know if anyone else has tried a mirror with sucess! I had considered getting a plastic display horse (anyone who saw Rolf Harris clinic thing the other week will know what I mean) and putting his friends rug on it for a scent but they are 500 quid!

Leaving him a kick the crap out of the lorry is not an option, but thanks for the suggestions. We have tried and he has been left for up to an hour before on his own and doesn't give up even when hobbled, the lorry cant take anymore of a leathering!!