Solution (Traveling)... Is it safe?

[toohorsemad]

Guys I have been trying and worrying for ages about my horse in the trailer as he doesnt like it! I experimented with different ways of travelling eg with the partiction, without it etc. and I found that if I kept the window open that is above the front ramp open and dont use a partiction he is ok... hes not scared and LOVES the wind in his face lol :D He looks like a dog with his head out the window! I just wanted to know is it safe to have to window open and him sticking out his head? I think he likes to know where we're going and he loves neighing to all the horses we pass by! lol

[toohorsemad]

Anyone?

[toohorsemad]

Bump

[Trewsers]

I don't know cos I'm not experienced with trailers / travelling, tho I have seen horses with their heads kind of sticking out - they look like they're enjoying it!

[toohorsemad]

Im not either... its a pity you never get though how to load etc. in theroy isnt it? Im still learning and its quite unsafe when you have a bad traveller to learn with! I was so happy when I saw him having fun watching whats going on... Im just kind of wondered about trucks and big machinery as the harvest is starting where I live :(

[Pink's lady]

Yes, that's fine - we often travel Pink like that. BUT he has to be tied up well enough so he can't get his nose out the front more than a few inches. If he can get any more out he's in danger of being hit by branches etc.

[Ross]

I would say it was very dangerous, as things could get in through the open bit...

Ross

[Nookster]

Dangerous

I would advise having extra windows fitted so horse has more of a view but without access to the outside so to speak.

Foreign bodys could easily hit you horse. let alone any passing vehicles. You also have to remember horses eyes are very sensitive and anything kicked up from the road could damage them etc.

[KateWooten]

It should be fine. Don't let him stick his nose out too far, and put a fly mask on him.

Always put a fly mask on when travelling anyway because of dust flying in at high speed, and also because the horse can't rub and scratch like he normally would so any little hay seed can become a problem.

[Nookster]

To look at it from another angle.

Crash situation and trailer goes over.

Open window - horse directly in contact with road. Could make for some horrific injuries.

Yes the back windows are open but normally when a crash happens the trailer ends up on its side due not on its end. Your horses face will smack and slide along tarmac road

Apologies for being so graphic but sometimes people don't want to think of the worst until it happens and personally its too late then

[BeachRiding]

My friend used to travel like this, but it can be dangerous.

[galadriel]

You can get a fly screen that attaches to the window. The horse can still feel the air on his face, but you don't have the danger of him sticking his head out the window.

[Lucy J]

i only travel like this on a very hot day and only if we are using local roads and going slowly. Complete no no on the motorway for the above mentioned reasons.

[Rips]

Get a fly screen or even a car sunscreen and keep it over the open window - You don't want to meet a lorry on a corner on irish roads :o
if he sticks his head out its dangerous. he'll probbaly get a draught, ruuny eyes/nose from it being open if the wind is strong. Mocha loves the windows open but we don't for this reason.

[horseaholic]

I agree, get a screen over the window. When we bought our trailer from a trailer dealer we were told to never travel with the front window open because if, for example a fly flies in when you are travelling at 50 mph along the motorway, that's a 50 mph object straight into your horse's eye - could cause some serious damage.

[Nookster]

a fly screen will not protect your horse in a crash so please remember this - the trailers are designed to be closed for protection.

If you are talking about a fly at 50mph how do you think a horse will cope travelling across the road at 50mph because a doors open if a crash were to happen.

Pointless in thinking it might not as its not always you fault - plenty of idiot drivers on the roads nowadays

[toohorsemad]

Im slighty confused... is it ok to travel like this or not?

[Wally]

I think crashing and keeping the horse in one bit is the least likey scenario.

He is likely to get an eye injury, (how do you identify a happy biker? ......he has dead flies in his teeth!) from flys and other flying debris.

But then again if he's happy and cannot stick his head right out and you are certain he's not a ramp jumper travel him however you feel he is happiest. We have had ramp jumpers so I am wary of traveling them like this.

[teabiscuit]

trailor fronts are not designed to keep the horse in in the event of a crash, apparently, just like the windscreen of a car isn't designed to keep us in, that's the seatbelts job

the front of a trailor is there to position the horse over the wheels in order to balance the trailor for easy towing(try towing with all the wieght at the front-not easy) and to keep the elements off the horse and for air flow.

so not sure the crash scenario is a valid one

the flies in the eyes would worry me more :)

[Nookster]

Not understand what i am trying to say.

It was suggested that leaving the top front door open might be safe - too which debris was suggested. Peoples solution was a fly screen attached over this area while its open would then stop the debris.

I never stated that the door was there to stop and restrain the horse. Thats why trailers have Breast bars and breeching bars.

What I was trying to say was that the trailers as any horse trailer are designed to be enclosed. The doors are there for access on and off the trailer. They also have the roof vent for ventilation.

If you left the front door above the ramp open and there was a crash - if the trailer went on its side then this open space would allow the horse to come into contact with the tarmac. As stated yes a crash can be more unlikely then debris but at the same time you can not say you will never crash........

At the end of the day it is personal choice and for me my i choose not to stick my horse in any unecessary danger.

[teabiscuit]

i see what you're saying now-sorry.
i wouldn't travel myhorse like this either, but he doesn't get stressed like toohorsemads horse does.

if he did, i would consider it

[Rips]

i see what you're saying now-sorry.
i wouldn't travel myhorse like this either, but he doesn't get stressed like toohorsemads horse does.

if he did, i would consider it

So would I, if it solved his travelling problems. If it was a thing that the horsebox crashed so badly that it was tipped over, surely in 90% of cases the horse would be in such a state that it would have to be PTS anyway.

[Wally]

You'd be amazed at how many tipped over trailers actually have horses survive in them.

[toohorsemad]

He doesnt get stressed now that he knows hes got his little window to look out... but hes an extremely stubborn loader! My RI and friend crossed two lunge lines and tried to get him in and he tried to just sit on them for about 5 mins until it was too uncomfortable to not go in even though there was some food in the bucket in the trailer! Does anyone know what I should do to get him to stop being so stubborn and go into the trailer?!

[KateWooten]

you need to go back to basics and do a full trailer-loading course with him Starting right from the beginning with sendiing him oer, under onto and through objects, tarps, obstacles, creeks, narrow spaces. Continue with his groundwork near trailers, around trailers ... always using trailers as the resting spaces. Don't even think about trailer loading for the next 3 weeks. When you do start to actually trailer load him, don't use food as a bribe. Use the trailer as a rest spot. Ask for one step at a time towards the trailer. Always back him away and put him to work before he backs away himself. Eventually you can start using food as a reward for a good big try on his part ... eventually. The key is never to use it as a bribe. never use the lunge-line thing, it's a quick-fix gadget, only to be used as a last resort and has no part in the real training.... well I'm sure you know that !!

[teabiscuit]

When you do start to actually trailer load him, don't use food as a bribe.
why not, if it works :confused: ?

it's worked for me in the past :confused:
shouldn't it have ?
maybe i should tell the horse :D

[KateWooten]

well if it works stick with it. The method I was advocating doesn't use food as a bribe - it relies on using the trailer as a place of rest only. That works for me ... I do see a lot of people trying to bribe the horse into a trailer with food, as their normal method .. almost as a substitute for a thought-out training process. They usually seem to be struggling with this.

[Rob the Cob]

Please read my thread on another story called loading earlier today. My horse jumped the breast bar because the front window over the ramp was open because I thought he would 'like' it better that way. Also he unloaded himself through the jockey door because he could see the outside ( he was only restrained by a leather strap because of the above incident). Now my horse isn't afraid of the trailer and will still go on despite his experiences but if he can see a way forward he thinks he should go. I think your horse should learn to travel with it closed.

[levi1739]

Originally Posted by KateWooten
When you do start to actually trailer load him, don't use food as a bribe.

Originally Posted by teabiscuit
why not, if it works

Bribing a horse for it's performance is just like offering a lady money for sex. Some might accept, but they're not the ones you want to keep or take home.




Have fun, be safe

Jack

[teabiscuit]

Originally Posted by KateWooten


Originally Posted by teabiscuit


Bribing a horse for it's performance is just like offering a lady money for sex. Some might accept, but they're not the ones you want to keep or take home.




Have fun, be safe

Jack

rubbish ;)

ETA what makes you think I'd want my horses to go home with you anyway?:D :p

[teabiscuit]

almost as a substitute for a thought-out training process. They usually seem to be struggling with this.

i use it as part of the training process

i tend not to adhere to strict rules, i prefer to go on what my insticts tell me would work with that horse at that time, and i like to make it as comfortable as i can first for me, and second as easy as i can for the horse.

with loading, i found that you have to keep up with the training even after you've had a couple of sucessful trips.
the horse seems to think - not sure i like this travelling thing, not going in today mum, so i load a lot without actually taking them anywhere constantly when they're starting their travelling adventures.

[Cheeky]

You'd be amazed at how many tipped over trailers actually have horses survive in them.

I agree here!! My mare is walking proof!! Float tipped with her in it .. she was a yearling traveling to her new home. Her hind leg was smashed .. at the ankel. She refuses to float (she does with some work), and is VERY touchy over that leg. Other than that - she's a babe :cool:

If your horse likes the wind in its face .. how about removing the front window plasticy stuff .. and getting some realy small-holed, VERY STRONG mesh stuff? Dunno what to call it ... so he can kinda see out, but the holes are small enough so nothing can get through? Might cost a bit.