Weaving and wrecking hay nets in trailer

[QueenT]

Our 8 yo TB showjumper is very good at loading, will go in on his own and stands still while closing up. He is otherwise well-behaved, rides well, healthy and shows no stereotypical behaviour stabled. After about 20 minutes of driving he will start weaving and throwing his head around in the trailer (have checked with camera) he will throw the hay net around until it’s torn, and once we arrive he will stomp around until we calm him down and let him out. We’ve had a horsemanship trainer out who says there’s no anxiety but boredom, TB behaviour, and a need to train balance as he’s a longlegged lad. So we’re doing pole work and trailering often, but would love other great ideas!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Have you had the trailer thoroughly checked out, when static and on the move? From floor, tyre pressures and tread to angle of hitch etc, everything.
Even an odd vibration that only occurs at say, 36mph, can cause issues with travelling.
Initially I'd not be using boredom as the issue, but checking everything else.

Good luck.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I don't believe the boredom theory either I would check everything on the trailer and if you still have an issue it's probably a physical issue wrong with him.

 

[AmyMay]

I also don’t believe the boredom theory. And would also have your trailer checked.

How does he travel in a lorry?

 

[irishdraft]

My mare unfortunately weaves whilst travelling, she has done this since the day I picked her up having passed a 5 stage vetting an hour before. I have tried her in 2 different boxes and 2 different trailers but still the same. Took her to a very well respected problem solver who said you cannot stop her until she decides to stop herself. She loads and is completely chilled but starts once we're moving, if I stop for lights etc she stops it and when we arrive she's completely calm and eats her hay she is better than she was but it's so frustrating as i worry she damaging her joints but I wonder now if it's a habit she's got into. I can't offer any advice other than explore all avenues to see if you can find the answer. Good luck x

 

[ycbm]

Have you had the trailer thoroughly checked out, when static and on the move? From floor, tyre pressures and tread to angle of hitch etc, everything.
Even an odd vibration that only occurs at say, 36mph, can cause issues with travelling.
Initially I'd not be using boredom as the issue, but checking everything else.

Good luck.

I agree with this but I'd also check the horse. It's astonishing quite how often the first sign of back end issues (hocks/suspensories/SI) have travelling badly as the first symptom.

It was the first symptom, 6 months before he showed any lameness, of my appyx's bent bones and worsening muscle myopathy.

 

[QueenT]

I’ll def have the trailer checked out but would not think that’s the cause initially - it’s a 3 yo IFW HBX 511, which runs as steady as an iron, and our other horse goes to snooze mode the moment we drive off. You never know about the sounds in the trailer though, wind whistling etc

 

[QueenT]

My mare unfortunately weaves whilst travelling, she has done this since the day I picked her up having passed a 5 stage vetting an hour before. I have tried her in 2 different boxes and 2 different trailers but still the same. Took her to a very well respected problem solver who said you cannot stop her until she decides to stop herself. She loads and is completely chilled but starts once we're moving, if I stop for lights etc she stops it and when we arrive she's completely calm and eats her hay she is better than she was but it's so frustrating as i worry she damaging her joints but I wonder now if it's a habit she's got into. I can't offer any advice other than explore all avenues to see if you can find the answer. Good luck x

This is exactly what we’re experiencing. It is stereotypical behaviour for sure, but he doesn’t seem anxious otherwise - thanks for sharing!

 

[QueenT]

I also don’t believe the boredom theory. And would also have your trailer checked.

How does he travel in a lorry?

I don’t think he’s been in a lorry the last 5 years…

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I agree with this but I'd also check the horse. It's astonishing quite how often the first sign of back end issues (hocks/suspensories/SI) have travelling badly as the first symptom.

It was the first symptom, 6 months before he showed any lameness, of my appyx's bent bones and worsening muscle myopathy.

Arabi started leaning on one side and leaning on his bum travelling just before he went lame and he had a suspensory injury so definitely worth checking.