First time trailering? Loose or tied?

[Ponylove]

hello! My husband and I recently purchased a miniature horse foal who is ready to come home towards the end of July. We just bought a truck and we are looking at horse trailers to buy - of course we will need to modify as we are looking at 2 horse trailers. However our mini has never been hauled, will be 4 months old once ready and the drive home is about 3-4 hours. I’ve never trailered a horse before but my husband is experienced in driving/ trailering. Would you recommend tieing him? I am leaning towards leaving him loose but wanted the advice of all the folks on here! We also have the option of hiring a horse transport ... just exploring all our options here!

 

[Becmar]

Your going to fund this is 50-50 on who ties. I tie loose but not so they can get there head down. Just comfortable. with lots of hay in a hay bag. Stop and check often. 4 months is awful young for trailering, but lots of people do it. Good luck with your new baby.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I never tie unless I'm trailering two horses that don't know each other. I'd be afraid to tie a foal. I'd let him be loose in the trailer. Just stop every half hour and check on him. I also would not put anything in the trailer he could get hung up on. Just an open space so he can balance himself.

 

[chandab]

Babies travel loose, most haven't learned to tie well enough for tying in a trailer at that age, and being young, loose will be easier for keeping balance.
I brought my third mini home at I think it was 5 months old, 6 hour trailer ride, she did just fine, and she was loose in the trailer (and if I remember correctly, I took the lead rope off for sure, and I think I may have taken the halter off as well as a precaution). [A well fitted halter is probably just fine, left on.]

 

[Minimor]

I would not tie--agree with what Chanda wrote above.

 

[diamond c]

At that age and by itself I also would not tie. It would be better in my opinion if you had a trailer mete for the young one to have some company and some one to balance aginst.

 

[Cayuse]

I probably would not tie either, but I would make absolutely sure the baby could not get under the bars to the front of the trailer where the doors are or else I would make sure the "people" doors are locked shut. I have seen too many trailers that could have the doors popped open from the inside by a loose horse while in transit. Same with the tailgate, make sure tailgate goes all the way to the top so no chance of escape by climbing up and over.

 

[lilly the pony girl]

Since foal has never been in a trailer tying him/her will only cause panicking. So I would not tie the foal. Definitely make sure that the trailer is padded. How big is the trailer?

 

[plaid mare]

I wouldn't tie either. I rode in the back with mine when I picked him up, and he was three. I would also wrap his legs for protection. Riding in back can be dangerous, but I made a buffer of hay bales for the two of us. It could be a comfort, and a bonding experience for you both.

 

[sfmini]

30+ years of showing and hauling minis here. My vote is loose in a trailer with the divider out and be sure and buy a trailer with upper doors so the baby is totally enclosed. Believe it or not they can jump over the back door if you only get a trailer that is open in the top rear.