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Post by jacksmum on Jul 11, 2014 17:45:05 GMT 1
I need to travel my horse shortly (approx. 2 hours travelling). I used to travel him in my old IW with another horse and he was fine. I now have an equitrek side loader. He will walk in and has got the gist of turning round ok but starts to panic when the bar is put across let alone trying to put the side up. I'm more than a little concerned that he will completely trash the trailer before I get where we are going. Question. As I HAVE to move him some distance as I see it I have a couple of options. I can either sedate him (albeit not heavily) and give it a try OR I can see about hiring a IW for the day as I think he will be more "contained" in the IW and less likely to do himself any damage. I'd really appreciate comments/suggestions. Thank you.
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Post by troop on Jul 11, 2014 19:41:34 GMT 1
Well my friends shire yearling was transported first time in a lorry and lightly sedated he did brilliant but on the other foot my Baffle had a lot of sedation and did not even allow the ramp to be shut when his owner tried although fine when we tried Un sedated. I think a lot depends on how you behave as to how they cope. you should try to do more practice if you can before the move. Timmy travelled well and considering how wild he is off trailer is very calm whilst travelling.
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Post by portiabuzz on Jul 12, 2014 7:43:59 GMT 1
When do you have to move ? I would want to do more work getting him used to it rather then sedation ..
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Post by antares on Jul 12, 2014 8:28:33 GMT 1
Sedation I would really try to avoid when travelling
I would spend more time getting used to the trailer without going anywhere at first so he's happy going in and out, spend time in the trailer without being shut in then build up to closing the bars and then letting him out again. Gradually increase until you can close the doors and then let him out. This might only take a few sessions
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Post by Hannah on Jul 12, 2014 15:00:31 GMT 1
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Jul 12, 2014 15:28:02 GMT 1
 Sedating a horse to travel him is one of the most dangerous ideas I have heard lately ! Work with him ----------------do small journeys first, travel with him ( ok so it's illegal, but it never stopped me, I'd rather have a prosecution than a panicking horse and no one would know ) Reward him when travelling, talk to him, play music, or better still, borrow a small pony "friend" to travel with him, but never , ever sedate him. Please !
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Post by jill on Jul 12, 2014 17:28:20 GMT 1
It is against the law to sedate a horse to travel (told to me by Lynette, who is a member on here and with her husband owned a large transporting company). Some horses can see and feel what is happening but are unable to react, and so can panic. SS3 is right - train and desensitise him.
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Jul 12, 2014 17:59:19 GMT 1
Thanks for that Jill. I had an idea that it was illegal but wasn't sure. In my book it's a horrendous idea , legal or not.
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wills
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 4,657
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Post by wills on Jul 12, 2014 18:47:34 GMT 1
eeek please don't sedate him!
As others have said I would also try de sensitize before the move. If you can, maybe see how he would load into an IW before the day incase he has lost confidence in that to.
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Post by portiabuzz on Jul 12, 2014 19:52:50 GMT 1
Best of luck OP x
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Post by troop on Jul 12, 2014 21:57:11 GMT 1
Can i point out Baffle was sedated by owner not by me and i refused to travel him anyway. Also the shire was sedated a small amount before to keep him calm in the stable pevious to actually travelling. I probably should have been more clear.
I didnt know it was illegal to transport a sedated horse though to be honest..... it seems to be a new trend though.
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Post by portiabuzz on Jul 12, 2014 22:08:31 GMT 1
Sedation seems to be the new quick fix  Sent from my GT-I8160 |
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Jul 12, 2014 22:21:41 GMT 1
Sorry but "new quick fixes " just don't hack it when it comes to Horse's lives ! There is always another way, it just takes longer, is harder work but pays off in the end.
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Post by portiabuzz on Jul 12, 2014 22:27:03 GMT 1
Yup but seems to happen all the time??
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Post by Catrin on Jul 12, 2014 22:53:07 GMT 1
Never sedate. Horses need to balance — people fall over when drunk, horses fall over when sedated. If you have time, do short journeys (just yards) but make sure it's on a smooth bit of road. Increase the journey and if you haven't got time, hire the IW and practice later.
You don't mention whether he does this only when alone, and is okay with the companion. If he's okay with the companion, take the companion and practice on his own later.
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Sedating a horse to travel him is one of the most dangerous ideas I have heard lately !
