View Full Version : Loading
laz
11th May 2005, 08:51 PM
I am currently training my horse to load into a trailer. He goes in it fine but rushes out the front ramp, sometimes i have to let him go but once he is out he stands still. What side should i lead him up on as he is really bargy. I have started putting the partitions back in but i dont know wether i should use the breast bar yet ? What do think my next step should be sometimes he is that bargy that i feel there is no room for me to lead him at the same time. But i am wanting to teach him to stay still for longer :rolleyes:
Tor86
11th May 2005, 09:26 PM
From the sounds of it he still doesn't 100% respect your space and this needs to be delt with before you put yourself in the confined space of a trailer otherwise your putting yourself at risk from being badly hurt. He's more than likely rushing as he gets in, becomes nervous and just bolts with out thinking, hence why he stops as soon as he's out. I'd firstly put the front breast bar up, this way you've got a safe space where you can escape should he barge forward and crush you. Next I would shut up the front ramp and no longer let him go out that way. Theres no reason why any horse can't walk out backwards and, particually in bargy or scared horses, it is a hundred times safer.
Do lots of ground work away from the trailer. Ensure he completley respects pressure and moves away as soon as you ask. It is also extremley important that he can back up absolutley perfect. And most importantly of all he most respect your space and never comes into it.
If possible load him with a rope longer than a lead rope to give yourself more control and room to move out of the way.
If you can remove the partition and still have a front breast bar up then I would, if not, the moving then partition across might help.
Then try playing around in the trailer, letting him wonder in and out and then in, stand for a while and reward him by letting him go out. Doing this as often as possible, in a fun relaxed environment and making it almost fun. And just ensure he completley respects you at all times.
Good Luck!!
shirley
17th May 2005, 12:39 AM
You could try leading him between poles on the ground and getting him to stand inside of them (about same distance as trailer sides with partition in) or bales of hay / straw etc. Would definately echo about getting him to walk on and stand at your command and not barge you either. When leading him in and out of stable make him stand before going in or out and then you going in front of him, so as going in between partion and side of trailer will be similar type of opening.
Just do things in a steady matter of fact manner and time. He will soon learn and probably load like a dream!!!
Good luck
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