Just recently coming back from a show we were loading my big 17hh ottb and he was convinced that he wouldn’t fit in the trailer. So he was a bit stressed and in all that he hits his head twice, thank goodness he was fine the rest of the way back home. It might have sounded a lot worse than how much it actually might have hurt. I was pretty upset about it though.
So I am seriously considering getting a head bumper, but do they offer a good amount of protection ?
Sure. If I was going to bang my head on metal, I’d rather do it with a bumper on than without one. Just make sure your guy gets used to wearing it before you trailer him with it if he’s funny about things like that.
They do offer protection, but it sounds like you need to address loading as well.
Bumpers help cushion the blow but they also help protect against cuts if the horse hits a sharp spot on the trailer. I can’t think of a reason not to use a bumper.
Yes definitely, get a bumper. Also be aware that some trailers have a dangerous lip that extends down several inches from the roof. These are bad for high headed horses. Even the taller trailer models may have the opening lower than advertised.
Yes, bumpers help. My vet wishes more people would use one b/c she’s seen so many nasty cuts to the top of the head.
And agree with the others to address the trailer loading issue. Do you have trainers to help you with that?
Thanks to everyone for the helpful advice. I know he needs more confidence in the trailer and I will be working alongside my trainer to help me with that. Thanks for all the concern everyone. (:
Bumpers are great for preventing injury, but even the tallest, best designed trailer isn’t tall enough to prevent a horse from hitting their head. Most horses probably learn this lesson the hard way, honestly. Who knows how many times they bang their head while we’re driving before they learn up is not the answer.
Sounds like you have a great plan! Get a head bumper and work on trailer loading with your trainer.
Worth threading one separately onto an old cavesson noseband rather than the horse’s halter just in case they find an edge to pull it off —no point in adding to the chaos!
I’ve also seen a pool noodle as a bumper - it gives a bit more “warning” to the horse when they raise their head that the edge or lip of the roof is there. What I’ve seen is a horse get the front legs on, then lift their head in response to pressure to take another step, hit the lip/roof of the trailer, go out backwards, and then keep getting stuck at that same spot. So, I think installing a “lower your head” cue would be important for a horse that’s already hit their head. You could clicker train it or train him to lower his head to touch a target and keep encouraging that behavior during loading so he doesn’t get close to the roof. Even through a head bumper, he’s going to feel the hit to the head.
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