Shipping first time Weanling

Supernova · Postby **Supernova** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:05 pm

We are planning on moving our 8-month old weanling January 1st to a new farm. It will be about 1h 30 min ride. I also have a very quiet older gelding who will be moving at the same time. We have available a two horse straight load trailer. The filly has been shipped once before to the vet's just after birth with mom loose in a stock trailer. Never in a straight load.

Can anyone offer any advice? Is it a bad idea to use a straight load at this point in her life? Should we tie her head or leave her loose?

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:02 pm

Use a little ace.

karenkarenn · Postby **karenkarenn** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:00 pm

When we started taking our filly to the vet we used our three horse slant and our gelding just like you are. We tied her but we worked with her being tied up prior to loading and unloading. We also worked with both of them three days before and everyday since then until it was time to go, so everyone had an understanding of what they should and shouldnt do- we didn't use the dividers. On the day before we drove out for a short time and came back, unloading on a postive note.
The only thing that worries me is that once you load your gelding which is a good idea, alot of horses will look at the small space left and get clostraphobic...
Maybe do you have a ramp?
Karen

Mood Swings · Postby **Mood Swings** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:52 am

I would definately try to work with her a bit before she ships so that she is calm and relaxed about the whole thing and I too would give her some ace

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:05 am

I think the straight load is superior to a slant. If the straight load has only got a high bar-style divider, take it out (reduce possibility of weanling trapped under it). You basically end up with a 2 horse stock.. Bed it DEEP with straw; make sure you have nice thick rubber mats under the straw. If it has chest bars, open them and secure them open. I would just put the baby in, alone. If you don't have a ramp, try backing up the trailer to a bit of a downhill so you can reduce the possibility of rapped shins... and leave the baby loose. Most horses seem to prefer to ride butt to the road (facing backwards) - seems they can balance better that way.