Conference noted::equitation

    I had the same problem with one of my horses years ago, I've hauled
    him many times since then in a trailer with a chest bar with no
    problems.  Do you tie your colt?   I since make the trailer tie
    very short, not allowing any slack for rearing.  Some horses panic
    at the tie and ride better not tied at all.  Also, to be on the
    safe side I now use a head bumper (leather on top padded with felt,
    fits on halter over ears).  I'm not that experienced on nighttime
    hauling, but I wouldn't think there would be too much different
    except for the darkness inside the trailer and headlights of cars
    if there is a window in front of the trailer.  If you think the
    darkness bothers him try leaving the light on like you did.
    I still get nervous from time to time when hauling, so much can
    happen and you don't have alot of control over it.
    Has your colt been back in his trailer since it happened ?
    Does he seem nervous or has he forgotten?  If he doesn't seem
    nervous about getting back in, my guess would be that it was
    just one of those things, he might of just spooked himself that
    one time.  If he is nervous you will probably have to find the
    cause of his problem.

    
    
    Trailering horses is a tremendous responsiblity which most of us
    are confronted with on a regular basis (I suspect)... I suspect
    that there might be many replys to this issue - but my own personal
    experience - that I share with everyone that asks is:
    
              Learn from an experienced person how to hook up a
	      neck rope and always - always, use it... even on     
     	      old faithful.
    	      old faithful

    
    We start all our youngsters (weanlings) trailering w/their moms
    loose in the trailer - no partition - safe/solid/ramp to ceiling
    protection (solid doors are best).  Once they have been weaned and
    have become independant minded then they go for a few rides w/a
    buddy - with a neck rope - and if they are really ancy or nervous
    I ride with them to help gain confidence.  We have found that a
    couple of short rides of this nature - coupled w/that initial ride
    w/mom will normally dispell fear of the trailer.  Once this is 
    accomplished then riding alone becomes a non-event (or at least
    that has been my experience) day or night.
    
    I think it is also important to note that tho it might be evident
    to some - teaching a horse to "tie" - shouldn't be expected to be
    accomplished in the trailer... do it at home - in a tie stall or
    safe environment so that you horse understands restraint before
    they are asked to tolerate the extremes that trailering subjects
    them to...  If you've never ridden in a horse trailer - DO IT -
    just for the experience of understanding what our horses put up
    with.  (never ceases to amaze me)
    
    There are those who will react to "riding in the trailer" as an
    unsafe practice - (even for the purpose of keeping calm your horse)
    but as responsible owners - who should know our horses better than
    anyone, I guess the decision belongs to the individual...
    
    I didn't mean to rattle on here - but it is a topic near and dear
    to me - and these words have come from someone who has been hauling
    horses for almost 20 years - and still (and I suspect always will)
    gets ancy when she loads up to hit the road....!  (honest)
    
    	The only other thing that might be a consideration is since
    your horse is so tall - maybe you could look into retrofitting your
    trailer w/the breastbar higher - so that it is at his chest?  Any
    thoughts on that??
    
    	Safe trailering to all - holly b

    My horse is very tall, but the trailer is designed for tall horses
    and hits him at his chest.  I'd still like to know how he got his
    legs over.  He crossties and has been tied many times at home.
    One thing to remember about the young Saddlebred breed is that
    they are handled and taught to lead, lunge, long-line, etc
    from the time they are weanlings.  He is not a great loader, but
    we load him with a butt rope if necessary and he seems to do okay.
    He sees the rope and would rather get in than feel the rope.  He
    is not any more nervous about the trailer than any other horse.
    All of them seem a little apprehensive and I don't blame them.
    
    We put him back in the same trailer the night of the accident and
    he went right in.  We made him stand for a few minutes and then
    backed him out.  He also make a two hundred mile trip in a
    similar trailer on a mild tranquiler a about ten days later without
    incident.
    
    I also hate hauling more than any other part of the horse
    business.  Between the crazy horses and the crazy other 
    drivers on the road, how could it be an enjoyable experience?
    

    
    
    The reason that they get their legs over the breast bar is that
    he had just enough up and down momentum to allow it... that's what
    a neck rope will stop from happening.  You can still cross-tie or
    single tie (whatever your style) but the neck rope will keep him
    from being able to "go up" (and subsequently over).  Even tho he
    is big and being saddlebred I'm sure very upheaded - an appropriately
    adjusted neck rope can keep any horse from climbing over the breast
    bar.  (in the 'subsequently over comment above - I ment the bar
    not backwards..

    Though my morgans aren't close to 17+ hands - they're just as capable
    as any other breed of performing such feats, and it's part of owning
    horses - and doing all we can to provide the
    bestest/safest/environment  for sure!
    
    BTW - the neckrope ties down to the breast bar and then up through
    the halter - that might make it easier to envision the downward
    leverage it provides.
    
    smiles - holly

    I agree with most of what Holly said about getting them started
    early with the actual tie training going on before you even get
    to the trailer.  Be aware that a horse that is tied is much different
    than a horse on a lead.  There is something very `final' to a horse
    when it reaches the end of the rope and feels the sudden stop. 
    This doesn't happen with lead lines, harness, and etc.  My experience
    when working with a chest bar jumper is that the less restraint
    you can use the better you will be.  By the way, size makes little
    difference ( we just had a weanling go over the bar ).  We prefer
    to take out the center partition and let them ride loose like a
    stock trailer.  They don't move around as much as when they are
    tied since they don't have anything to fight except their balance.
    
    Regards,
    
    Bob