How do you trailer a foal?

Question

I am hoping to buy a shetland pony foal soon and i was wondering how do you trailer them? I have a trailer with a swing divider that divides it diagonally but I'm afraid he is too short for it. It would be a two hour drive and i cant take out the divider.

Answer 1

Like leah said, you can block the bottom. or you could just tie the foal as far away from the divider as possible.

Make sure you do looks a leg wraps before you get him/her in because the trailer will be new to the foal and you dont wont to risk it injuring its little legs.

Answer 2

I trailered a pony foal up to the hospital last week - I took out the divider, tied mom (sounds like you aren't taking mom as well) and let the foal loose in the trailer.  If you are not taking mom, I think using hay/straw bales to build a barrier to the front isn't a bad idea... just don't make sure they don't come loose and fall on the foal in transit!

Answer 3

hi just throw a couple of bales of hay on the other side of the trailer and in the front so he can go under the bars and put him on and take him were you need to go thats how we do it when there not on there mum and it is very affective and safe for the little one leah

Answer 4

I just trailer my shetland foal this past week for a show. The idea to use osb to make the dividers solid from top to bottom is a really good one. Also hay bales can work in a pinch(that's what we did bringing home a couple ponies in a horse size two horse trailer). You just want a box that the foal can not get anything(feet,head) out of. One important thing is - do not tie the foal! It's always best to leave them loose. They're necks are still fragile, it's like leaving them tied in the barn without supervision, a big no-no. I hauled mine in a stock and just left mom and baby loose that way baby can balance without straining on a halter. Also the mom can move away if the foal somehow gets under her or falls. Have fun with your baby - they are sooooo cute!

Answer 5

well i don't actually know but i would guess that u just put the dividers as normal and put her either in the middle at the back.

It would be just like if u were transporting her in a cattle truck which has NO dividers at all. But i reckon u could just tie her up loose because she is shorter.

or you could hire a mini float. there are people that have floats like that.

Answer 6

I always ride in the trailer with my foals. It's a rough ride but it makes you appreciate what horses deal with when you haul them.

Cross tying it may help its safety. Can't you leave the divider open? I have a friend who allows her minis free roam of the stock trailer when she hauls and they seem to like it.

I ride with the foals to help ease fears and prevent them from trying to jump out the back.

Answer 7

What we do when we trailer a foal is build up walls of bales on both sides, tie them down lower as well.  

Answer 8

Since you can't take the divider out, I would get a sheet of OSB, and some sheet metal screws and lower the divider down to ground level.  That way the foal can't get under it, and be sure that it is either high enough or low enough that it A: can't lay down and get a leg under the board, or B: if it can get a leg under the board, it's high enough that it can easily pull it back in.  I never tie foals when I haul them.  As an aside, if your back door doesn't go all the way to the top, and there's room that the foal could potentially panic and attempt to jump out, be sure to address that too.  We hauled a foal home in a stock trailer once, and wired a dog kennel gate panel across the top securely to enclose/prevent a panic exit.  Looked a little "Beverly Hillbillies", but it was secure.  I'd much rather look redneck than have a foal decide to launch from the trailer and eat asphalt.  An added plus to making the divider solid....I did that with my front divider in my 3 horse slant, and now use the front compartment to store feed, clean up tools, wheelbarrow, etc when I'm going camping.  Works great.  I do put a riser in first so that if the horses urinate, it won't flow forward and get onto the hay.