Re: [RC] lots of questions! now loose horses in trailer - Mike & Kathy Kelly
Title: Message
Hi Marlene,
In reply to question #4, I always tie leave my
horse(s) loose in the trailer. Just hauled a mare and foal from WY, left
halters on but no leads (would have preferred to take the foals halter off but
she wasn't halter broke yet so I would never be able to get ahold of her for
unloading/loading for our overnight stop). I do this with my endurance
horses too, but wouldn't leave the halter on if there was anything in there they
might get hung up on. They know when we stop to come up to where I tie
them, I can clip on a safety tie while I'm outside the trailer so I don't have
loose horses when I open the back.
I got a video monitor off ebay for my
trailer, it cost $150 total and works like a charm. It is SO
nice to be able to keep an eye on the horse(s) while driving. Worth
every penny just for the trip bringing the new mare & foal
home.
Kathy Kelly
Parks AZ
ps I just love the sidepull I ordered from
you at the convention!!
>4.
People have said that it is a good idea to travel with the horses loose in the
trailer so they can get their heads down to clear nasal passages. For
those who do that, do you remove your lead rope or leave it on? I usually
just stuff mine in the hay bin and it doesn't go anywhere because the horse is
tied in. We've started travelling with the horse's loose - accidentally
first, but since there were no problems (I was scared because we travel on some
nasty bumpy roads including our driveway) we've started doing it more
often. I have left the leads on - didn't want the horses barrelling out of
the trailer because they knew they were untied and not being able to catch
them. But I'm also concerned with them pulling the lead down and stepping
on it and panicking. I'm too short to reach the horse from the window (let
alone the window latch!) to put the lead on right before we unload if my
husband isn't around. What is the best practice, am I just being
paranoid?