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  Discussion on Trailering 6 month old foal - tie or not to tie
Author Message
Member:
Sefiroth

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 15, 2003 - 7:53 am:

I'm taking my 6 month old foal on a 4 hour trip this weekend to deliver him since he's been sold. My question is, to tie or not to tie? He'll be riding in a roomy two horse gooseneck. He's halter trained and I've tied him a bunch of times with out much fuss, but not for 4 hours! This will also be his first serious trailer ride and only the 2nd time he's seen the inside of a trailer. He had one ride when he was 2 weeks old but it was only about 20 minutes and he wasnt tied though mama was. I've also never hauled something this young before. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

~Sharon
New Member:
Mackman

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 15, 2003 - 3:59 pm:

We've hauled weanlings on three separate occasions on an 8-hour trip. We had two weanlings in a 2-horse slant (panel removed). I use a lot of shavings, and opted not to tie. They all traveled well, probably a little muscle fatigued for a day or so from bracing themselves, I imagine, but no problems. My thought would be for the baby to have enough room and the ability to lay down if they so choose.
Member:
Chrism

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 15, 2003 - 6:31 pm:

Sharon,

I'd be tempted to haul somebody with him. Depending on your trailer configuration, you may want to provide some cushioning/blocking with hay or straw bales, too.

For example, if it was a 2 horse without a manger, I'd probably put some bales in the front to discourage him getting under the chest bar. I'd also try to figure out at way (by moving the butt bar?) to dissuade him from backing up too much, or getting under the butt bar.

Make sure any bales you use are secure.

Also, if you have a manger, there is a real possibility he might panic and try to climb up in it to get out. Again, look at your rig and figure out how you can make it safest for him.

Riding alone will be the scariest part for him.

If I had a stock style trailer, I'd probably let him be loose as long as I could close him up tight to prevent him from jumping out the back.

I'd also do practice rides between now and departure date with a friendly horse to get him used to the idea of riding around in the trailer.

Just some thoughts.
Member:
Sefiroth

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 15, 2003 - 11:19 pm:

Brenda,

Shavings would be a very good idea.

Chris,
I cant haul anyone with, since after I DrOp him off I'm picking up a draft. No room for an extra on the return trip! Same goes for hay bales. I was worried about the manger though as well. Maybe I can throw some hay bales in there to make it harder to climb into. He can nibble on that along the way too then.

The trailer is a stock type but is a little more enclosed than your average stock trailer, that used to have a center divider taken out so a draft can fit in. The butt bars were removed when the divider was as well.

I cant really practice either, since I'm borrowing the trailer the day of the trip as I dont own my own yet.

I think I'll leave him loose, put some shavings down and a hay bale or two in the manger. With plenty of stops to check on him and see how he's doing.

Thanks guys for the advice!
~Sharon
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