Won’t stand alone by trailer

[TheChestnutThing]

My one horse absolutely refuses point blank to stand alone by the trailer when travelling with another horse. It doesn’t matter if there are other horses around him, he wants the horse that came with him. He breaks loose and causes havoc.
I’ve never dealt with this before and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to go to shows with both my horses and with other people’s horses.

anyone have any tips and tricks? This has been going on now for last 2 years and I can’t always rent a stable.

(he won’t stand on the trailer at all so that is not an option)

 

[FitzyFitz]

Is he OK if he's tied up alongside another horse at home for a while and then that one leaves? If not, practicing that might help improve his feeling of security. And is he okay on his own in general.

I had one that was a bit of a nutter and although she improved no end over time, she was still prone to kicking a fit if she was left behind at the trailer (or anywhere tbh) and my Dad's pony who normally travelled with us was pretty clingy too so if we had seperate events we'd take them away from the trailer together, then one of us turned sharp left and the other right and we'd use neighbouring trailers to block their view of each other. They were both fine leaving alone but hated being left. Once they were seperate we could go do our separate events or even bring one back to the trailer again (often gave a food reward)
That's a quite extreme case though!

Current pony is also quite clingy but after lots of practice in various places leaving him alone or behind he improved and now he'll kick up a stink for a few minutes then give up once it doesn't get him attention.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

It's a confidence and separation from the herd problem. You've taken them out of their normal environment, put them in a moving vehicle then taken them from their "friend". I took 2 field mates to a show. My sons were doing an in-hand class. Never ever again!! My mare kept whinnying even though it was a small ring and they were in the same class-the other pony didn't care.

All my youngsters are taken to a few shows, alone and are given good experiences. Likewise at home, they will be put in a field on their own occasionally (under watchful eye) so that they are less anxious if this ever occurs.

How old is your horse? This is now learnt behaviour and will either take some time to alter or you may just have to take him separately which isn't what you want to be doing by the sounds of it. What is he like at home if on his own? Does he hack alone etc?

Could you just take him and not compete so putting less pressure on him? Throw him on the trailer when going to clinics etc. Does he rear up in the trailer if left alone? What's he like in a box? Does someone wait with him if tied up? Have you tried a longer rope threaded through the ring and someone holding it rather than tying him up completely? That way you are in control rather than him breaking away.

 

[Birker2020]

Do you leave him with a haynet as a distraction?. I competed for 15 years with my previous horse who also wouldn't settle on a trailer but would stand tied to the back for hours with a haynet.