Trailering a young horse in a 2+1

[awaywego]

I recently got a young horse who has limited trailer experience - the shipper who dropped her off said that she kicked the ramp a fair amount initially but she arrived without any issues otherwise. She was in a straight load stall.

I have a 2+1 so I’m wondering if I should try her in the front box next time? I don’t love the idea of her kicking the ramp repeatedly, for her or the trailer. I don’t have stud doors - I just use the straight stalls and the front box is usually just where I tack up.

We’ll work on trailering more when she’s in my backyard but for now I just need to get her there safely

[Highflyer1]

It’s fine to ship in a box stall! Whether or not it will help with the kicking is a different question.

[cristalle]

With a 2+1, I would take out the centre partition, making a box stall of rear section, and load her from the rear ramp. Chest bars up. I would also have the side ramp down or at least the top window open when loading so it will look bright and open for her. She could travel loose in the box, or tie if you wish.

[endlessclimb]

Can’t put up the chest bars up if you take out the center section.

[trubandloki]

@endlessclimb

Can’t put up the chest bars up if you take out the center section.

Depends on the trailer, I assume.
I can remove my center divider in my straight load, but the vertical is still there that the chest bars attach to.

[endlessclimb]

Good point. Though I believe most 2+1s the entire thing comes out, because that’s part of the appeal - 2+1 or 2 box stalls.

I’m not sure why anyone would leave chest bars up if the goal is to create an open space.

[awaywego]

While I can take out the center board in the back, then I wouldn’t have a butt bar then that would go all the way across the back, so that is a no-go. (This is the 2nd time that I’ve wished I had a bar to go across - so I guess I need to get that ordered). As-is, the front is my only option for a box.

[trubandloki]

@awaywego

the front is my only option for a box.

Are all the walls in the box area designed to be OK with being kicked?

[awaywego]

I have no idea I mean, I am not ok with it But it’s all rubber up the sides if that’s what you mean.

Just looking at the trailer, I think the problem with the front box would be the center (vertical) post. I suppose what I could do if I wanted to be extra safe is hang a rubber mat across like a homemade stud door.

[endlessclimb]

Can you clarify which post? And are your stud doors ok with getting kicked?

[awaywego]

@endlessclimb

Can you clarify which post? And are your stud doors ok with getting kicked?

I don’t have stud doors.

The center/vertical/upright post I mean is the one that that center divider and chest bars for the straight stalls attach to. I am pretty sure that the upright post is actually removable too, but I am not positive and can’t look at the trailer right now. (It’s a 4 star if anyone knows what they are usually like.)

It’s also entirely possible that I am just overthinking this, that I should just put her in a straight stall, either she kicks or doesn’t, and it will be fine like last time. I just know that if she does start kicking badly that I’ll get really agitated myself

[endlessclimb]

I would not haul her up front without stud doors. I’d rather have her kick the ramp, instead of hanging her legs over those chest bars.

[awaywego]

Yeah, I was thinking about that too - which is why I was saying I could hang up a rubber mat(s) across the chest bar area - I look forward to my husband’s annoyance with that idea I actually saw a horse kicking in a trailer over the weekend and he got his hind legs so high that they were about to go over the top of the ramp. It probably added to my current paranoia.

I could take everything out of the trailer and then it would be open with nothing to get hung up on. Or maybe I’ll make a pony go along for the ride and the company will be enough to stop the kicking.

[endlessclimb]

I’d consider sedation in this case, as well. You can keep the dutch doors closed over the ramp, no?

[awaywego]

@endlessclimb

I’d consider sedation in this case, as well. You can keep the dutch doors closed over the ramp, no?

I am not opposed to better (safer!) living through chemistry. And yes, the upper dutch doors can stay closed.

[MunchingonHay]

Not to sound dumb… but can you make the trailer a happy place for her first; maybe feed her in there, groom her, etc. So she learns that standing in a still trailer is OK, then start making small trips with her to get over her kicking.

[endlessclimb]

I think OP said this is the long term plan, but this is a necessary trip.

[MunchingonHay]

Thanks ! I must have missed that line in the OP.

[cristalle]

@trubandloki

@endlessclimb

Can’t put up the chest bars up if you take out the center section.

Depends on the trailer, I assume.
I can remove my center divider in my straight load, but the vertical is still there that the chest bars attach to.

Exactly this. Maybe YOU “can’t put up the chest bars if you take out the centre section” endlessclimb, - but some of us can. I can take out the centre divider ,and put up the chestbars attached to the centre post This makes a nice large box stall instead of 2 straight stalls. The +1 in front gives you an easy exit yourself, an airy welcoming view for the horse, and also if you prefer,.you can unload off the side.
I was basing my advice on my own experience, of years of trailering this way…
Of course yours may be different.

[awaywego]

@MunchingonHay

Not to sound dumb… but can you make the trailer a happy place for her first; maybe feed her in there, groom her, etc. So she learns that standing in a still trailer is OK, then start making small trips with her to get over her kicking.

Yes, that’s the long-term plan. I think we’ll do drugs + a pony companion, and just use the straight stalls since that’s what I want her to get used to doing anyway.