Posted 2009-10-24 10:03 AM (#112317) Subject: Head down in trailer
Veteran
Posts: 213 Location: Virginia
I have noticed that my gelding prefers to ride in the big slant load trailer with his nose almost touching the floor. He picks his head up to eat hay, but puts it right back down - even when we are stopped. Is this unusual? Rides in this trailer are usually several hours to competitions, but he starts out the ride with his head down. I am looking at getting a small trailer for local use and was wondering if the chest bar is necessary. Can I remove it so that he can put his head down if it is more comfortable for him? Does he even have to be tied? I am avoiding trailers with mangers for that reason alone.
Posted 2009-10-24 12:20 PM (#112322 - in reply to #112317) Subject: RE: Head down in trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447 Location: cedar rapids iowa
I have never had a horse put his head down but I would never put a horse in a trailer with that long of a tie to find out. My thinking is that it seems like they could get hurt with there head down. What if you stopped quickly or something and they popped there head up quickly and it hit something? Or jammed it somehow while down?
Posted 2009-10-25 9:43 AM (#112358 - in reply to #112317) Subject: RE: Head down in trailer
Veteran
Posts: 213 Location: Virginia
Laurie - the rope is just short enough so he can't get in trouble, but can put his head straight down right below where it is attached. He wears his Equifacesaver (yup - it's the 'pricey' head bumper) in the trailer so his head has extra protection.
I just feel like something is not right because when I stop and check on the guys, the other two are happy to see me and stick their noses out through the bars and my boy just stands there with his head down. He looks absolutely miserable. He picks it up briefly, but then it goes right back down again. This is a horse who normally has his head in the clouds. As soon as he is off the trailer his head is back up again.
Do horses get motion sickness? I know they can't regurgitate, but I wonder if they can get other symptoms?
Posted 2009-10-25 10:53 AM (#112363 - in reply to #112317) Subject: RE: Head down in trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447 Location: cedar rapids iowa
You might try hauling him backwards. If they have the choice that is how they tend to ride in a stock trailer. Put him in the 1st stall and turn him around. Then you can load the other in head 1st. Just a thought to see if he is more comfotable. I have my ties so they can't get any lower than there chest.
Posted 2009-10-31 8:58 PM (#112659 - in reply to #112624) Subject: RE: Head down in trailer
Veteran
Posts: 122 Location: Monroe, WA
I was thinking of this today when I loaded my gelding. He tries to look under the divider as he hates the solid divider. Is your horse trying to look under the divider?
Posted 2009-10-31 10:46 PM (#112661 - in reply to #112317) Subject: RE: Head down in trailer
Veteran
Posts: 213 Location: Virginia
Slidinspots - good questions
When I used the old style head bumper I used to put it on just for loading and unloading (they don't stay on right) he still put his head down while traveling.
When he puts his head down, it is straight down and he is not looking at anything but the wall straight in front of him. He barely moves at all. He does eat his hay, but takes his time. While I prefer that, it is not normal for him.
Head down in trailer
) in the trailer so his head has extra protection.
I know they can't regurgitate, but I wonder if they can get other symptoms?