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Post by magicstar on Oct 6, 2013 9:59:11 GMT
I've got a 15.2 4yr old dales who just won't stand properly in the wagon. It's hard to explain but his front legs come forward and his back legs come to where his front legs should be so the only thing propping him up is his bum but that's causing him to rub his tail and bum raw. (That's what first made us notice him not standing right, gets the same injuries in a trailer so must do the same then) Tried all sorts of bandages and guards etc for his tail but because he's constantly leaning and moving none stay in place. Can anyone suggest anything I could do to try and get him to stand up? Really don't know what we can do  |
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Oct 6, 2013 10:09:43 GMT
We had one who sat on her tail in the trailer - doing that she got her weight too far back and the trailer snaked, obviously uncomfortable, so a vicious circle. We sorted it by hanging an old tyre between her bum and the ramp, moving her weight forward and so making sure the trailer ran smoothly. Eventually she stood fine by herself. I've had others that will only travel happily on one or other side of a trailer, and an old broodmare who would only travel backwards in the trailer - loaded loose with foal at foot facing forwards she'd turn herself round.
I'd guess your boy just isn't happy traveling the way you ask in some way - what would he do if he was left loose in a big space? That might give you some clues.
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Post by 09rebel99 on Oct 6, 2013 11:05:24 GMT
My dales use to lean on his bum. I use to have to use a tail bandage and 2 tail guards but doesn't sound like he was as bad as yours as in a horsebox sideways he was fine and didn't do it.
Have you got full length partitions to the floor as mine couldn't travel like that as he needed to spread his legs to balance. If he can't spread his legs and hasn't got enough room this may be why he's doing it? Try him with a bit more room and see it he still does it?
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Post by gillwales on Oct 6, 2013 11:49:04 GMT
can you change the position he is stood? If he is in a lorry, can you stand him sideways opposed to front or back? Or back instead of front. Maybe he needs less space, the partitions are there to support the horse. THe thing is to try lots of different things until you find out what works
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Post by magicstar on Oct 6, 2013 14:03:51 GMT
Will try him loose and see how he puts him self, I've heard of some preferring herringbone or backwards/forwards facing as my mare is ok herringbone but not forwards facing, but he seems to do it both ways.
. Will try the tyre but with him being a big lad he's quite long so would depend if there's still enough room.
The partitions aren't full so he can spread his legs but does mean his feet are under the other horses if he isn't on his own
Thanks for your suggestions, it's just so frustrating cause I just think if he'd keep his feet underneath him he'd be ok, would be much easier if they could talk to us!
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Oct 6, 2013 17:17:08 GMT
The point of the tyre with us was to make the horse stand further forward in the trailer so that her weight was further forward and it towed better as the weight was down on the hitch instead of it pulling upwards. She only pulled back as she didn't like the ride - I don't blame her! As soon as she learned that it didn't happen when she stood forward she was fine. If you think there may not be room for one this can't be the reason your pony is unhappy.
gillwales - not all horses like to have the partitions so close that they support them. I've had various ones who prefer more room to spread their legs so that they can balance on them rather than being forced to keep them close together and rely on the partitions for support, usually heavier bodied ones. I must admit if I was traveling standing up in a moving vehicle of any sort I'd rather be able to spread my legs out to balance than not.
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Post by gillwales on Oct 6, 2013 18:29:20 GMT
sarahp, if you read all of my post you will see that i suggested to try all options, I said about reducing space to balance the previous suggestion. What I said was to find what suits. It might be more space, it might be less, it varies from horse to horse. Personally I prefer partitions that go all the way to the floor, I think they are much safer.
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