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Kathleen Fregeau
Member
Username: Koko
Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Oct 10, 2004 - 11:00 am: |   |
I have owned my 12yo QH for 3 years and use him mainly for trail riding, and trailer him to other places on occasion. He is a very sensible horse, not easily spooked and reacts reasonably to things that do frighten him.
He has always trailered well, so I am at a loss to his recent behavior of sweating and pawing in the trailer, even on a 10 minute ride. There have been no accidents in the trailer and I can't find anything in there that might bother him.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. |
Cynthia Dittmar
Member
Username: Ryle
Post Number: 19
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, Oct 10, 2004 - 10:18 pm: | |
Have you noticed any difference in the way he moves or his behavior otherwise? He might be uncomfortable or having a hard time balancing in the trailer for some reason. Or there could be some other reason.
I would consider having the vet out for a good physical exam. |
Gill Bridgeman
Member
Username: Gillb
Post Number: 56
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 11, 2004 - 3:58 am: | |
Does your trailer have partitions? Many horses find if space is restricted they cannot balance properly, but if the partition is removed so they have access to the whole trailer then they find their own balance. Mind you I am talking about UK trailers here which tend to be quite small, I am not sure what US trailers are like! |
Kathleen Fregeau
Member
Username: Koko
Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 11, 2004 - 11:08 am: | |
I haven't noticed anything unusual about his behavior. Once he is off the trailer he is ready to go. He is very forward and willing.....no foot sorness or lameness. Great attitude.
My traler is a slant load and does have a partition, but it is the same trailer he has always traveled in. The only thing I did differently the first time it happened was to lunge him before putting him on the trailer. He wasn't hot when I loaded him, but was dripping after a 10 min ride. At the time I though the lunging was the problem.
Maybe he got really hot and it scared him? |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 11337
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 - 8:10 am: | |
This is a little hard to figure without some environmental or psychological (nervousness) cause.
DrO |
Kathleen Fregeau
Member
Username: Koko
Post Number: 6
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Oct 15, 2004 - 9:12 am: | |
I know Dr O. I gave him some rescue remedy yesterday and stuck some carrots in his hay and he did much better. It seems to be when I slow down that he starts to paw, so I am slowing very carefully. I guess it IS an anxiety thing. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 11353
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Oct 15, 2004 - 1:18 pm: | |
Rescue remedy does seem to make the people administring it feel better but I am sure the carrots were much appreciated by the horse.
DrO |
Kathleen Fregeau
Member
Username: Koko
Post Number: 7
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 - 10:45 am: | |
UH OH! You sound like a non believer Dr O. I swear it really does work! |
