This Month's Features.... Things That Can Go Wrong And How To Fix Them! Getting The Most Out Of A Clinic Sound Or Unsound? What's Normal? Causes of Lameness, Hoof Injuries, Figuring Out Founder & Your Horses Vision Trailer Problems Ask Martha Calendar Notes & Winners Thoughts

Trailer Problems 


Be sure to visit www.cimarrontrailers.com  and www.bigtextrailers.com for more great tips.

            A not-so-uncommon complaint heard frequently is about the horse that is difficult to haul because it fights the trailer.    Trailer-scrambling is one of the most frustrating and hardest to correct problems in horses. Most experts feel that trailer scrambling develops when a horse becomes uncomfortable or ill at ease in a trailer and the only way to deal with the problem is to put them into a trailer that feels secure and comfortable to this particular horse. Usually, that means space – lots of space.  Many horses that scramble in a two-horse trailer will ride quietly in a big stock trailer.  Typically, the horse spreads his legs farther apart and rides at somewhat of an angle, using the extra space for balance. That’s the concept of the slant load horse trailers, and if your budget allows for a new trailer, the slant style will usually help the problem dramatically. But for the person who isn't  ready for a new trailer, what are the options? There may be some alternatives, but they can only be discovered by careful analysis of your horse’s behavior.  There is some reason he is acting the way he is and your job is to discover the why. Often, trailer scramblers are model horses to be around and are perfectly willing to be loaded.  It’s when the tailgate closes or the motion starts that they panic.  And it IS panic.  This is not the horse that kicks the tailgate or paws the front of the stall out of boredom.  A trailer scrambler seems to actually be trying to tear the trailer apart! Your first step in addressing this problem is to try to find the cause.  Pick a day when you have plenty of time and a friend to assist you. Securely wrap your horse’s legs.  Remember, the potential for injury exists here so you want to protect him as much as possible. Figure out how to observe the horse as he is being hauled without exposing the observer to danger.  Remember, the horse is panicked when he is exhibiting this behavior.  He could hurt you during this irrational and upset time.  NEVER get into a two-horse side-by-side with this type of horse.  NEVER get behind him in a four-horse trailer.  A scrambling horse could actually break the bar or gate behind him and come crashing back into the back section.  The best bet is to watch from the pickup bed through an opened front window.

You are watching to see….

Does he fight both sides of the trailer? Some will fight one side only. If so, try him on the other side. Is he struggling when you turn one way or another – right or left? Often, you will find that a horse is only agitated by turning a particular way.

Experiment with wider spaces on either side of his legs.  Sometimes the one-sided or one-turning horse can be relieved by changing sides, giving him more room on one side or the other. If your trailer has a divider that goes all the way to the floor, take out the bottom part to give him more floor space. If turning is the problem, give him as much room as possible, then try to build his confidence by exposing him to some excruciatingly SLOW turns in the problem direction.  You may have to do this over a period of weeks, but you can sometimes rebuild a horse’s confidence by repeating these slow, smooth corners.

Does he fight when he is hauled with another horse or only when traveling alone?  Again, remember the danger involved if you are checking this.  Wrap the other horse’s legs to protect him from the scrambler. Some horses scramble only if they can get their head into a certain position. You might experiment with tying or not tying his head.  Be sure and use quick-release equipment here. Other horses fight the trailer only when there is a bar or chain behind them. Be careful if you try your horse without one. Make sure the door behind him is strong enough to contain him. Another cause of the claustrophobic behavior may be not being able to see out of the trailer. In this case, a window or opening slats may help. Proceed with caution. There are some horses who dive for the window, front feet and all. And on the other side of the coin, one trainer reported a case of windows that were too clear. An alert horse watched so closely going down the highway that he panicked and ducked every time he went under as overpass.
 

 

 Now ask yourself
          Could the problem be caused by the horse trailer? Is a chain swinging and hitting the horse? Is something making him uncomfortable? One horseman had a lot of problems with a young horse, then found that the vinyl padding had cracked and was sticking her in the ribs when her weight shifted against the material. Could the noise of the trailer be scaring the passenger? The roar and rattle from some old trailers can be deafening. If so, take time for some maintenance to secure some of the moving parts.   

          Is a big horse being stuffed into too little a space? Has he outgrown the trailer. A horse should be able to stand in his normal comfortable position inside a trailer. If his legs are tucked up under him and his rear is hanging over the butt bar or tail gate, the trailer is too small for him. If you suspect this is the problem, try a larger horse trailer to confirm that this is the case before resorting to a stock-type trailer. Remember, though, if you borrow a trailer, you are liable for any damage your horse might do to it. What about footing? Have you got sufficient padding or bedding in this trailer? There have been cases of older horses that developed a scrambling problem after years of perfect behavior when they developed painful arthritis. The vibrations of a trailer can irritate a lameness or injury. Review your driving style. Are horses constantly shifted back and forth and from side to side? If so adjust your driving habits. Concentrate on giving the horse a smooth ride, slowing down in plenty of time for stops and turns.  Also, examine your hauling style. On long hauls, get the horse out of the trailer regularly. Give water and a chance to stretch those legs. Take time to feed at your regular feeding time and don’t ever make a trip into an endurance contest for your horse. Many horses won’t urinate in a trailer. Some become stiff and sore. Adjust to the needs of the horse.  Don’t overlook the animal’s history, especially if the horse is new to you. Has there been a trailer wreck in his past? A record of trailering problems? After carefully examining all these areas, you should have some idea of the reason for a scrambling horse’s behavior. If you can isolate the probable cause or condition, you can work to correct it. Any improvement will probably be gradual. In any case, it is a good idea to review this checklist for your horse, whether or not he has a problem. Know the horse and you can spot any behavior changes before they develop into an issue.
 

CHECKLIST FOR THE ROAD 

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