Horse Mirror in Trailers.

[bicky]

Hi everyone, I have been asked by a friend what your views are on mirrors inside trailers.

She has a horse that is sometimes difficult to load by herself (with another horse is no probs at all), this doesn't seem to have any pattern to it. Sometimes she can load easily for long periods of time and out of the blue she just refuses. She shows no signs of stress once in the trailer but has in the past shows signs of being very clingy to other horses, hence not wanting to go in maybe.
So it has been suggested that a horse mirror inside the trailer (Ifor Williams HB505) may help build her confidence. Obviously she would still need to use another horse to get her in in the beginning.

Has anyone had any experience of using them before? I'm sure she would appreciate any advice, thanks.

 

[Sticky's GF]

Hi there

I had similar issues with my horse. He was always a bit fussy with his loading, you could never rush him, but then we went through a spell of going out on our own due to only being able to tow with a freelander. He became more reluctant to load and then when inside the trailer developed a habbit of leaning against the rear ramp and pawing the ground, and i mean really pawing, litterally leaping up and down bashing the floor. It would rock the car! He wasn't particularly agitated, but obv wasn't too happy about it either!

I decided to get one of those plastic mirrors and he seemed to really like it. I'm sure he was admiring imself the whole time. I had to introduce it to him outside the trailer as I didn't want him to freak out when he got in there. Initially it lessened his pawing, but then he realised he could SEE himself pawing, which made it more fun!

So (and this is going to cause controversy no doubt) I chose to travel him in hobbles. He can still move to a certain extent to steady himself but he cant waive his legs about. It is not ideal i know.

Anyway, I digress, the mirror certainly went down well, although it fell off when we had a frost (had it stuck on with heavy duty velcro) so if anyone has any suggestions that would be great!!

 

[x-jenni-x]

i have no personal experience with traveling with mirrors, but i know a pony who will go CRAZY when he sees himself in the mirror, will try and kill himself...well the reflection!

i would see what the horse is like with mirrors before you put them in the trailor!