Help Trailering a VERY diffcult mare

Golden Horse · 03-02-2013, 12:26 PM

You have my utmost sympathy, my big guy is a pain to load, he has been explosive, rearing, being a real #$#@, last week he dragged my trainer face first across a car park...

Sigh, check out this thread Trailer loading tip, unexpected benefit and a question. it shows one way that worked like a charm for him, just slinging the lariat around his butt, we had a few good loads with that one, until last Sundays melt down.

Tried again during the week and simply got on the trailer first with a bucket of treats, and we had this

Ben loading - YouTube

Other ideas, if you have a pen you can put her in, back the trailer up to it, and then have someone or someones come up behind her with a gate or a fence panel, haven't tried it, because I never have help, but I'm told it will work.

My farrier said he had one like that, he tied a long lead on her, tied one end in the trailer, and just left her standing, in the end she got bored and just load herself.

It's not pretty but get someone behind her with a broom and rub her butt with them.

Just some things that have worked, or people say will work.

Good luck.

Critter sitter · 03-02-2013, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherian

Don't waste your time with ace, have the vet out to mainline her with something stronger. After 3 days of her not getting on the trailer you'll want her toe dragging drugged - if you're worried about her falling over she can stand on the trailer for an hour before you leave.

I like your Idea I will consult my vet. He is a awesome guy. Its a good thing he is my friends BF .. but time is running LOW so IDK if he will be available or not

Critter sitter · 03-02-2013, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golden Horse

You have my utmost sympathy, my big guy is a pain to load, he has been explosive, rearing, being a real #$#@, last week he dragged my trainer face first across a car park...

Sigh, check out this thread Trailer loading tip, unexpected benefit and a question. it shows one way that worked like a charm for him, just slinging the lariat around his butt, we had a few good loads with that one, until last Sundays melt down.

Tried again during the week and simply got on the trailer first with a bucket of treats, and we had this
Ben loading - YouTube

Other ideas, if you have a pen you can put her in, back the trailer up to it, and then have someone or someones come up behind her with a gate or a fence panel, haven't tried it, because I never have help, but I'm told it will work.

My farrier said he had one like that, he tied a long lead on her, tied one end in the trailer, and just left her standing, in the end she got bored and just load herself.

It's not pretty but get someone behind her with a broom and rub her butt with them.

Just some things that have worked, or people say will work.

Good luck.

OMG my jaw dropped at the dragging ouch
Here is our set up we did last night ..

I will get a better picture this afternoon. We have her set up so trailer is in her turn out run.. her feed hay and water is in the trailer and None anywhere else . Stall door is closed so she only has run and trailer.
We may try the panel today also considered a cattle prod << I am not for that I think it would prob send her over the top.

Critter sitter · 03-02-2013, 12:46 PM

GH the difference between her and Ben,... She has never been a easy to load horse.. <<<< almoset spelled that Hore oops lol

Chevaux · 03-02-2013, 12:46 PM

At this point, given the facts, I also suggest the use of chemical warfare - that is a professionaly administered intravenous tranquilizer. Any sort of adrenaline rush the horse has quickly negates the effects of the milder sedatives and since you've been at this for awhile now the horse is probably reved up to some extent with the process.

If you get her tranq'd and she looks alittle unsteady on her feet, you may want to consider wrapping the legs to help cushion her if she looses balance.

Good luck.

doityourself · 03-02-2013, 12:49 PM

Also, you could get her to that point in the video and then lock her in with a rope around her rear. Then she can't go anywhere but in. It would probably be a little ugly, but you could put a trailer guard on her head to keep her from hurting herself.

Golden Horse · 03-02-2013, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critter sitter

She has never been a easy to load horse.. <<<< almoset spelled that Hore oops lol

I know how you feel.

Critter sitter · 03-02-2013, 12:53 PM

She has loaded in this trailer before
the buddy idea is not one she will do... tried it :/
As for the stock trailer there is one but it is blocked by a huge pile of snow. (stupid kid pushed snow) and then after that it is a mud pit to that trailer ...
My gf has a huge stock trailer goose neck but my truck wontpull a goose neck and I wont ask her to drive 8 hours round trip.

These are all great suggestions. Thank you

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustbunny

Since the need here is to get her to her new owner and not retrain...
Would she load with a buddy in first?
Do you know anyone with a large stock trailer or one that has a full rear door that opens all the way?
A commercial hauler might be a thought.

A number of years ago we had an issues with my mare. We were at a trailhead and she refused to get in. My husband took his gelding home and got the neighbor with his stock trailer to come get us. The loading was not pretty but it was that or a 20+ mile ride and walk home. I told my husband we would NEVER again do that. We worked for three days rewarding each try and she now loads like she can't wait to go. Funny side note: We went camping with the same neighbors a couple of weeks later. He was pretty amazed when it was time to load for home she walked up to the trailer and stepped in without batting an eye. (I grinned a lot.) But you don't have 3 days.
We had a claustrophobia issue, I'm sure. Opening the entire back of the trailer helped. We took the stall divider out so the trailer was open. I was in the trailer (front escape) with the lead and my husband outside tapping. At no time was she restrained from backing if she wanted to do that. She would eventually get in like your mare and then want out. We let her but rewarded each try with rest. After 2 hours she got all 4 feet in, stood there for a few minutes, I asked her to back out and she went to the pasture. Next day it was 15 minutes and we closed the back doors. Less time the third day and no balking after that.
I wish you success. It's a frustrating problem.

CowboyBob · 03-02-2013, 01:03 PM

The video was a big help, it looks to me like you are asking her. "hey if its not too much trouble if you would be willing to think about getting in the trail, if you don't that's ok no biggie, but if you could it would be a big help."
I think you are training this horse to not get in the trail. She get to the point that she is in all but her hind legs, let her sand just a few seconds then ask her to step forward you do that well. But, you don't move on to tellling her to load. I would be a little more aggresive with telling her to step into the trailer.
An other thing is have someone else be standing by the door and start to close the door as she gets in.
If she comes flying out of the trail, put her right back at the door and start over.

I do like how you are standing at the doo and asking her to move into the trailer without you. I see way to many people try and pull horses into the trail with them. I really like the way you are trying to get her to load. I would just say be a little more aggresive.

Critter sitter · 03-02-2013, 02:23 PM

Thank you bob. That is the trainer that's working her. I paid her $100.00 to ask her to go in to the trailer. And after 4 hours 3 of which were about the same as this video over and over she still was not in. I paid the lady maybe I shouldn't bit I did. Grace is very reactive she if you push her to far she will blow up and rear an cow kick and walk on you.

At this point in the game I try almost anything. I am headed back out there I. A few minutes and wi takes some more pictures and stuff.

Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CowboyBob

The video was a big help, it looks to me like you are asking her. "hey if its not too much trouble if you would be willing to think about getting in the trail, if you don't that's ok no biggie, but if you could it would be a big help."
I think you are training this horse to not get in the trail. She get to the point that she is in all but her hind legs, let her sand just a few seconds then ask her to step forward you do that well. But, you don't move on to tellling her to load. I would be a little more aggresive with telling her to step into the trailer.
An other thing is have someone else be standing by the door and start to close the door as she gets in.
If she comes flying out of the trail, put her right back at the door and start over.

I do like how you are standing at the doo and asking her to move into the trailer without you. I see way to many people try and pull horses into the trail with them. I really like the way you are trying to get her to load. I would just say be a little more aggresive.

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