Help: just collected trailer for tomorrow. There's no partition. Is this OK?

[olderyetwider]

We hire a trailer when travelling to shows etc. Our usual one wasn't available, we've just got it to the yard, and there's no partition down the middle. We're only taking one pony, do you think he'll be OK? I'm wondering about using lunge line down the centre to make him feel like he's restricted, but has anyone got any (quick) advice?

Yes it's fine to travel with no partition - horses like space when they're travelling so they have the room to spread their legs if they're feeling unstable so it's a good idea to take the partition out for difficult travellers.
If you're worried about your pony turning around then cross-tie him but I would advise against your lunge-line suggestion.

Thanks Clucky Kate, I'll forget the lunge line and cross tie him (I'm guessing fairly loose?) and we'll go very slowly

Does it have a full width breast bar? If it does then it's saft to use, cross tie him just so that he can't try to turn around and travel him as normal. I think that it is easier for horses to travel this way than with a partition, they can find their balance better.

Ben absolutely loved the trailer without the partition. It had a full breast bar so we just did what lucie and kate said. Will probably ask for that one next time. Thanks for reassurance.

That is good news....and how was the show???

Thanks for asking Clucky Kate, the show was really good, but the ground's hard so I limited GD to 2 jumping classes. She placed in all three classes she entered: 5th novice pony show-jumping (first time in a jump off so well pleased) 3rd working hunter (novice this time rather than nursery stakes so again pleased) and 2nd place ridden veteran. Also caught up with lots of Pony Club friends, old yard mates etc so a really nice day. I was knackered though, and in bed by 9pm!

Bit late to this thread but just to say that we usually take the ponies with a partition but when I took my horse hunting we took out the partition and put up a breast bar instead - he loved being able to spread out!

Delighted that you and DD enjoyed your day - well done!

That's brilliant - well done that pony and well done GD!!

A lunatic friend of mine used to travel his horse loose in the trailer. He used to turn round and watch the traffice over the back ramp!

Actually, that's not so bonkers Kitten. I'm moving my youngster today - he's 3 and off to be backed and hasn't travelled before - and have been advised by my friend and owner of equine travel agents Shelley Ashman to travel him loose & no partitions but with the doors shut.

I know he had read the advice somewhere - he was a great reader of theory, just crap in practice. I have to say the horse always seemed fine. Just a bit of a shock for motorists stopped behind him when the horse could lean right over the back ramp

Sounds funny, but not when you consider the horse that broke free in a trailer here on the a120 last year and jumped out the back on the dual carriage way!

That's awful Saggy

Well, the journey with the youngster went really, really well. Had a minor panic when he turned just after we loaded him....thought he was going to jump out. However, once all the doors were closed and we got moving he settled and was as quiet as a mouse. He opted to travel backwards and after a 2 hour journey he was calm to lead off and not the slightest but sweaty.