Questions about travelling a horse.

[Stella2]

My mare seems quite happy travelling in my box. She loads easily, doesn't sweat up and is quiet. However, she doesn't eat on it, not even a tip bit! It bothers me, should I worry?

Also, although I've travelled her a fair bit to trainers etc, I have only just begun taking her to shows and I find myself wondering how long its reasonable to ask a horse to stand on a box after a class (e.g. whilst grabbing a drink and waiting for scores etc). They have so little option for movement in that position, that bothers me too, should I worry?

 

[Julz]

Can you tie her to the side of the box/trailer? then she might eat some hay.... If she's not happy eating while travelling I wouldnt worry, but may limit the distance in which you want to travel her.

 

[Bozzy]

Mine's the same (as was my last one) if travelling alone, won't eat anything yet they are fine in company and will munch away as soon as he's on board if there's someone with him.

I prefer to leave outside if possible though at yesterday's show it was peeing down so kept him on board out of the rain. I wouldn't worry to much

 

[No_Angel]

I don't have that problem,mine clear all the food they are given, and wont come off the trailer till they have finished

I do worry about my horses standing in the trailer tho, they don't seem to mind, apart from Shay. When I take them out for longer trips im going to do a corral set up with electric fence tape so they can graze and chill and not have to be cooped up inside.

 

[Daffy Dilly]

We never put Daffy back in the trailer during shows - he comes out as soon as we get there, and as soon as he's back in it we leave.

One of us (there's normally two or three) will stay holding him/where he's tied, whilst the other does the bits and pieces necessary.

He isn't massively keen on the trailer, travels ok and eats in it etc, but I'd rather keep him happy. If it was going to be a very long wait for results, I'd take him home, and come back.