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  Discussion on Weaves in Trailer
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 28, 2001 - 11:42 am:

My guy used to trailer like a champ, that is, until another horse chewed his face up one trip. So, now I have the head partition in, lots of hay for him, and he weaves back and forth. He won't stand in the trailer for any length of time, like he used to.

I have a stall ball for him. I'm going to try that. Any other thoughts on weaving while trailering? Any chance I caught his weaving early enough to stop it in the trailer? He weaves in his stall when he is distressed (when they're blowing the aisles or DrOpping bags of shavings into his stall from the hay loft.)

Thanks.

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 29, 2001 - 6:45 am:

What have you tried so far and do you have hay available when he is just standing there?
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 29, 2001 - 8:26 am:

Let's see - when it's a short trip <30 minutes, I usually tack him up and then it's no hay so he doesn't get it under his blanket. On the return and for longer trips he's untacked with a big bag of hay right in front of his face.

Doesn't seem to matter; he'll weave either way. I don't think he weaves when we're moving, just standing. I can even feel him weaving at stoplights.

Thanks.

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 29, 2001 - 11:10 am:

This may sound a bit harsh but it has worked for me many times with horses that were obnoxious in the trailer. If he consistantly weaves while not in motion, be prepared by stopping with ample room between you and the next car, when he starts weaveing let completly off the brake and then quickly re-apply it to make the rig jerk. If you do this each time you feel him start, after a few trips it will get through his head that he best keep his feet planted or he might just fall on his bum. You won't knock him down, just give him the sensation that you are starting to move again and he better keep quiet.

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 29, 2001 - 11:13 am:

Oh I forgot to ask... Is he really "weaveing" or is he just figeting/stomping? True weaveing will be much harder to cure as there is probably a self rewarding endorphine release but you can usually cure a fussy rider with patience and persistance.

Posted on Friday, Aug 31, 2001 - 9:49 am:

Emily -

Thank you for your responses. I played the "what changed?" game yesterday and realized that the head partition changed. So,down it came (we trailered solo in the back) and for a short while, he seemed OK. But then he got impatient and started with his weaving.

I took your advice and jerked the rig and I think that did help a little too. So, I hope we'll be able to get through it. I was also wondering if a little "Calm and Cool" might be in order for our next few trips; just to engrain the behavior that standing still is a good thing.... thoughts?

Posted on Monday, Sep 3, 2001 - 4:47 pm:

Run a search on the two words: calm cool. This is a often discussed product.
DrO
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