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Horse Behavior and Training

Stomping in Float/Trailer :(

By:

Christie

Date:

2012-Aug-07 at 05:38AM

Hi Everyone :)

Ive just joined Montys University and am loving it so far.

My problem I would like some advice on is this: I recently purchased a Float, and after some training with my boy he loads and unloads well, Ive even taught him to self load and stand patiently.

Unfortunately though on sunday - our first outing out alone, he pawed/stomped the float (while moving and stopped and to the point where he has scraped the rubber of the inside)and also started rocking the float (i can feel him pushing it forward when stationary).

When he has been floated alone before he has done this only once or twice on the trip (when we have been at traffic lights) and I suppose thinking about it has always been with another horse, and probably not much on his own. He was fine on the way to our destination but was quite anxious on the way back (I think this is when the damage was done) He was also quite sweaty when we got home.

Can anyone please give me any advice on how I can help him be more comfortable travelling on his own? and also to stop the pawing/stomping/rocking in the trailer?

Any advice would be great!

Thankyou :)

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia 2012-Aug-07 at 08:33AM

My mare paws her float a bit when she is bored. I find she is better when she has a nice hay bale of juicy hay to distract her otherwise I am at a bit of a loss too! By the way - BIG welcome to the uni.

emlaw 2012-Aug-07 at 08:44AM

One possible reason for horses not travelling well alone is that the weight is on one side of the trailer rather than balanced out between both sides as it would be with two horses which can make them feel a bit wobbly. The trailer is also lighter with only one horse and possibly more prone to bouncing which may make it feel less stable. Hay is a good distraction, but another thing you could try is to load him and take him on a very short five minute trip around the block, then unload him back at the start point and feed him immediately, a few carrots or pony nuts in a bucket. Try this a few times and make the journey slightly longer each time so he gets to look forward to it.

Christie 2012-Aug-07 at 08:55AM

Thank you so much for the ideas MaggieF and emlaw. And also for the Welcome Maggie!! Im going to see Monty in Brisbane and cannot wait! He is an amazing person.

I will try the hay on the weekend and let you know how we get on. Im just a bit lost since he hasnt done it before...and over the weekend did a bit of damage to my float. I thought it might be a stress problem but I thought that would have shown up sooner. I will definately try the short trip and treats idea too :) Thank you!!