Pete was supposed to be moving yards today.
We'd done loads of trailer practise - but decided that as he was still unsure about the back bar going up & he's travelled in a horse box a few times before, we'd play safe and move him on the day in a horse box.
One horse box hired & my brilliant instructor on hand to help - I wasn't too worried.
He was a bit reluctant at first, but he soon went on happily enough, was absolutely fine in the horsebox with the partition closed. We practised a few times, to make sure he really was ok. He seemed happy, munching his hay - next thing I knew, he had one leg over the breast bar, one leg over the side partition. He wa stuck for what felt like an eternity, but realistically was about 30 seconds. He eventually managed to jump over the side of the partition - scariest moments of my life (!!!) - and was as cool as a cucumber once off. He was actually quite calm jumping over - it's weird, not like he blindly panicked but if seemed very calculated. Thankfully, he walked off with just a few scratches to his leg.
We then decided to lightly sedate him, so vets came - don't worry they said, we've never had one that hasn't travelled well under sedation. The sedation didn't make a blind but of difference. The vets were amazed by his physical & mental strength ...! Just what you want, eh ?!
Pete's now quite happily munching hay in his old stable, where perhaps he'll be staying for the foreseeable future! He's currently talk of the yard for his 'quirky' nature ...
I'm now on the G&T - with the lorry hire, the instructor hire & vets call out fee ... It's been an expensive day to go nowhere!
Still, at least no one was hurt & Pete might be sore tomorrow, but his grazes are just superficial. Lucky all round, really.
My next hobby is definitely going to be tiddlywinks!
We'd done loads of trailer practise - but decided that as he was still unsure about the back bar going up & he's travelled in a horse box a few times before, we'd play safe and move him on the day in a horse box.
One horse box hired & my brilliant instructor on hand to help - I wasn't too worried.
He was a bit reluctant at first, but he soon went on happily enough, was absolutely fine in the horsebox with the partition closed. We practised a few times, to make sure he really was ok. He seemed happy, munching his hay - next thing I knew, he had one leg over the breast bar, one leg over the side partition. He wa stuck for what felt like an eternity, but realistically was about 30 seconds. He eventually managed to jump over the side of the partition - scariest moments of my life (!!!) - and was as cool as a cucumber once off. He was actually quite calm jumping over - it's weird, not like he blindly panicked but if seemed very calculated. Thankfully, he walked off with just a few scratches to his leg.
We then decided to lightly sedate him, so vets came - don't worry they said, we've never had one that hasn't travelled well under sedation. The sedation didn't make a blind but of difference. The vets were amazed by his physical & mental strength ...! Just what you want, eh ?!
Pete's now quite happily munching hay in his old stable, where perhaps he'll be staying for the foreseeable future! He's currently talk of the yard for his 'quirky' nature ...
I'm now on the G&T - with the lorry hire, the instructor hire & vets call out fee ... It's been an expensive day to go nowhere!
Still, at least no one was hurt & Pete might be sore tomorrow, but his grazes are just superficial. Lucky all round, really.
My next hobby is definitely going to be tiddlywinks!
