Trailering a Weanling

Question
Dear Michael,
I am Hauling a 5 month old weanling to a local show.  The trip shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.  I have had the colt since birth.  He has been worked with since day one and is halter trained.  I have not ever tied him.  My trailer is a 3 horse extra tall, extra wide slant load.  My plan is to put a companion draft horse in the first stall.  (The draft is extremely calm in every situation and the baby knows him.)  Then I was going to open the second partition so the colt will have the rest of the trailer to himself.  I was going to let him loose since he does not understand tieing.  Does this sound like a feasible plan?  I practiced loading him today and he did pretty well although I have not closed the doors yet.  I was going to do that once he is comfortable with the loading part. Then I was planning on taking him for a short ride around the neighborhood with the draft.  I am afraid he might try to leap the partition to get in with the draft.  Although the partition does have jail bars by the head where they can see and talk to each other.  What is your advise?  I am really nervous about this.  Thank you!  Cindy

Answer
Cindy -

I appologize for taking so long to get back to you, I have a sick daughter at home.

When I have to trailer Mustangs, I don't tie them up.  In fact, I can't get up to them at that point to even put a halter on so tieing is not an option.  What I would recomend doing is securing the partitions so he has enough room to move almost turn around in - and just let him be.  He will adjust to keep his balance, and I would not worry about putting the draft in the trailor at all.  If he doesn't load well, the draft may help to get him to load, but I personally think it will be safer to take him in the trailor alone.

Certainly do what you feel comfortable doing.  Your idea sounds great as well.  But don't worry about not tieing him.  If he doesn't know how to do it, you risk greater injury.

Best of Luck!
Michael Hockemeyer
Kicking Bear Mustangs

Cindy -

Yes, if you can either remove partitions or secure them back so the trailor is more like a stock trailer that would be best.  It will probably make him easier to load and un load also as it will be a bigger area to walk in and out of.  I would spend a few days loading and unloading before you actually move the trailor with him in it.  The amount of horses I have seen get hurt while loading or unloading far outnumbers the amount I have seen get hurt while traveling.  So if you can take the time to practice that before you actually drive off, I think it will help.

Good Luck!