♘امیرحسین♞
♘ مدیریت انجمن اسب ایران ♞
With the show season under way, many people are travelling with their horses to different events throughout the summer. Travelling safely, and arriving in good time will help you to arrive feeling calm and confident and give you the best chance of achieving your best results.
Begin by getting your trailer ready. Clean it thoroughly beforehand and ensure there is some thick bedding down or rubber matting. Fill a haynet and hang it up inside. Ensure the trailer is parked on a level surface and lower the ramp.
When loading a horse always wear a hard hat, gloves and sensible footwear such as riding boots. The horse should have a head collar and lead rope on, travel boots, tail bandage, summer sheet and a poll guard made of padded leather or foam to protect his head.
Once your horse is ready, position yourself at his shoulder and lead him slowly but confidently to the trailer. Be patient and allow him to stop and look if he seems uncertain. Keep looking ahead and walk confidently up the ramp. If necessary, have helpers available who can encourage the horse forwards if he starts to back off. Take your time and keep praising him.
If your horse travels alone, always load him into the right hand side of the trailer to help compensate for the camber (slight rise) in the road and make his journey more comfortable.
Once inside, duck underneath the breast bar and tie the horse up to a loop of string, using a quick release knot. Some trailers have a middle partition that needs to be pulled into place once the horse is inside, Fasten this securely, so it doesn’t swing round once the journey starts. Secure the breast bar securely and leave the box via the side door. Fasten the strap behind him (known as the breeching strap), although if you have someone to help you they can do this as soon as the horse is in the trailer.
Now close the ramp. Some trailers have spring-loaded lightweight ramps that can easily be managed by one person but older trailers can be quite heavy and you may need a friend to help.
To unload, simply reverse the procedure – put the ramp down, undo the breeching strap, enter the trailer and untie the horse, then gently push him back, encouraging him by saying the word ‘back’ and slowly and calmly move him down the ramp.
If your trailer enables you to unload from the front, simply lower the front ramp, untie the horse, undo the breast strap and lead him out. These types are trailer are probably better for horses that rush out.
Do’s and don’ts
Do
* Keep calm and if necessary practice for several days beforehand.
* Get moving as soon as the horse is loaded as waiting around can make him restless.
* Use a bridle over the headcollar if you need more control.
* Seek the assistance of an experienced instructor if you need help.
Don’t
* Lose your temper and start shouting or hitting the horse as he will develop negative associations with travelling and be less likely to load in the future.
* Be tempted to ride a horse into a trailer
* Travel with a horse – this is illegal and very dangerous
* Forget to enlist the help of friends who can help with problems
Begin by getting your trailer ready. Clean it thoroughly beforehand and ensure there is some thick bedding down or rubber matting. Fill a haynet and hang it up inside. Ensure the trailer is parked on a level surface and lower the ramp.
When loading a horse always wear a hard hat, gloves and sensible footwear such as riding boots. The horse should have a head collar and lead rope on, travel boots, tail bandage, summer sheet and a poll guard made of padded leather or foam to protect his head.
Once your horse is ready, position yourself at his shoulder and lead him slowly but confidently to the trailer. Be patient and allow him to stop and look if he seems uncertain. Keep looking ahead and walk confidently up the ramp. If necessary, have helpers available who can encourage the horse forwards if he starts to back off. Take your time and keep praising him.
If your horse travels alone, always load him into the right hand side of the trailer to help compensate for the camber (slight rise) in the road and make his journey more comfortable.
Once inside, duck underneath the breast bar and tie the horse up to a loop of string, using a quick release knot. Some trailers have a middle partition that needs to be pulled into place once the horse is inside, Fasten this securely, so it doesn’t swing round once the journey starts. Secure the breast bar securely and leave the box via the side door. Fasten the strap behind him (known as the breeching strap), although if you have someone to help you they can do this as soon as the horse is in the trailer.
Now close the ramp. Some trailers have spring-loaded lightweight ramps that can easily be managed by one person but older trailers can be quite heavy and you may need a friend to help.
To unload, simply reverse the procedure – put the ramp down, undo the breeching strap, enter the trailer and untie the horse, then gently push him back, encouraging him by saying the word ‘back’ and slowly and calmly move him down the ramp.
If your trailer enables you to unload from the front, simply lower the front ramp, untie the horse, undo the breast strap and lead him out. These types are trailer are probably better for horses that rush out.
Do’s and don’ts
Do
* Keep calm and if necessary practice for several days beforehand.
* Get moving as soon as the horse is loaded as waiting around can make him restless.
* Use a bridle over the headcollar if you need more control.
* Seek the assistance of an experienced instructor if you need help.
Don’t
* Lose your temper and start shouting or hitting the horse as he will develop negative associations with travelling and be less likely to load in the future.
* Be tempted to ride a horse into a trailer
* Travel with a horse – this is illegal and very dangerous
* Forget to enlist the help of friends who can help with problems
