Calmative for trailering?

Lucky Duck · 10-08-2004, 04:12 AM

I wasn't sure if this should go in horse health or not.... But, my mare is a hard loader... mostly thanks to her previous owner who would beat her until she got on a trailer

. I actually cried over it... she was scared of the straight load trailer but he just kept beating her until she finally decided it would be better to go into the scarey trailer than be beaten anymore.

When we got her home, she was afraid to back-off of the trailer because she didn't know if he was back there!! We had to remove the middle divider so she could turn around and get out.

But anyhow, I digress... we are most likey moving and don't have a trailer to work with her on the trailering issue, so I was thinking of trying a calmative. There are a bunch out there (Calm and Cool, Calmex, Quietex, B-Kalm...), so I was wondering if anyone has used any of them and can give me any insight on which one might be the best.

cassidy · 10-08-2004, 04:14 AM

i no a thing called rescue remedy can help it helps them feel at ease an is also really good for them when they move to a new place it helps them feel more relaxed

Moostang · 10-08-2004, 05:07 AM

I have never had any other those natural calmers work on my horse(I tried to use for the farrier).. they just made her drool...
Do you have anything that is like a 2 horse trailer.. like a chute or confining wash rack? Work with her on walking into those without you going in first.. it might help.

harli36 · 10-08-2004, 06:02 AM

Personally I don't like using drugs around the horses at all really and I would definetly NOT use one while trailering. What if you drove around a sharp corner, or had to come to a quick stop? With the horse not in their right mind would they be able to react as quickly as they needed to? Did you ever try to watch a drunk person stand up on a city bus? Pretty funny but now try to imagine that same person as a 1,200 lb horse trying to do the same thing.

Plus all horses are afraid to back off from a trailer. With some it is easier to get them on then to back them off. Just because they aren't really sure where the bumper of the trailer is. So I doubt that your horse was afraid that her old owner was waiting outside for her.

Sandra-A1 · 10-08-2004, 06:31 AM

I would try to borrow the trailer your going to move her with and work with her and let her get used to it and you.
My husband's mare will not tolerate being tied in a trailer period! She has to be hauled in a two horse with the divider out, or loose in a stock trailer. She will load and haul like a dream if you do it her way.

I have yet to find a horse that is not happy to ride loose in a slat-sided stock trailer as long as it was of a suitable height....so you might want to consider using one of those if you have access to one...but as soon as your able I would start working with her on trailer loading and unloading...as well as take her for the ocassional short ride in one.

Simon Says · 10-08-2004, 06:43 AM

i found that the b kalm worked pretty well and the cool and complete i had great results with!!! and if you can try to borrow a trailer and take your time, good luck, i know who frustrating a hrd horse to load is!!

10-08-2004, 04:12 AM	#1
Lucky Duck Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,357 Images: 58	Calmative for trailering? I wasn't sure if this should go in horse health or not.... But, my mare is a hard loader... mostly thanks to her previous owner who would beat her until she got on a trailer . I actually cried over it... she was scared of the straight load trailer but he just kept beating her until she finally decided it would be better to go into the scarey trailer than be beaten anymore. When we got her home, she was afraid to back-off of the trailer because she didn't know if he was back there!! We had to remove the middle divider so she could turn around and get out. But anyhow, I digress... we are most likey moving and don't have a trailer to work with her on the trailering issue, so I was thinking of trying a calmative. There are a bunch out there (Calm and Cool, Calmex, Quietex, B-Kalm...), so I was wondering if anyone has used any of them and can give me any insight on which one might be the best.

10-08-2004, 04:14 AM	#2
cassidy Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: england - its sunny sometimes honest! Posts: 21,498 Images: 816	i no a thing called rescue remedy can help it helps them feel at ease an is also really good for them when they move to a new place it helps them feel more relaxed __________________ May your life be like toilet paper - Long and useful A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. - Pat Parelli http://www.freewebs.com/linz88055/myprofile.htm

10-08-2004, 05:07 AM	#3
Moostang Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern Calif Posts: 9,802 Images: 680 Blog Entries: 55	I have never had any other those natural calmers work on my horse(I tried to use for the farrier).. they just made her drool... Do you have anything that is like a 2 horse trailer.. like a chute or confining wash rack? Work with her on walking into those without you going in first.. it might help. __________________ Don't poke bears... give them honey! http://moostangproductions.com

10-08-2004, 06:02 AM	#4
harli36 Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: northeastern Pa Posts: 4,414 Images: 42	Personally I don't like using drugs around the horses at all really and I would definetly NOT use one while trailering. What if you drove around a sharp corner, or had to come to a quick stop? With the horse not in their right mind would they be able to react as quickly as they needed to? Did you ever try to watch a drunk person stand up on a city bus? Pretty funny but now try to imagine that same person as a 1,200 lb horse trying to do the same thing. Plus all horses are afraid to back off from a trailer. With some it is easier to get them on then to back them off. Just because they aren't really sure where the bumper of the trailer is. So I doubt that your horse was afraid that her old owner was waiting outside for her. __________________ The Morgan Horse! Everything else is just a horse. http://www.morganhorse.com/

10-08-2004, 06:31 AM	#5
Sandra-A1 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,407 Images: 225	I would try to borrow the trailer your going to move her with and work with her and let her get used to it and you. My husband's mare will not tolerate being tied in a trailer period! She has to be hauled in a two horse with the divider out, or loose in a stock trailer. She will load and haul like a dream if you do it her way. I have yet to find a horse that is not happy to ride loose in a slat-sided stock trailer as long as it was of a suitable height....so you might want to consider using one of those if you have access to one...but as soon as your able I would start working with her on trailer loading and unloading...as well as take her for the ocassional short ride in one. __________________ "It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Dumbledore

10-08-2004, 06:43 AM	#6
Simon Says Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Covington, La Posts: 3,670 Images: 207	i found that the b kalm worked pretty well and the cool and complete i had great results with!!! and if you can try to borrow a trailer and take your time, good luck, i know who frustrating a hrd horse to load is!! __________________ "If your dog doesn't like someone, you probably shouldn't either" Chrissy & Stormy