Trailering?

Lexiie · 02-29-2012, 07:55 AM

She goes fine everywhere else but into anything that requires her to step up.

pintophile · 02-29-2012, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexiie

She goes fine everywhere else but into anything that requires her to step up.

So then, train her to lead quietly and willingly everywhere, including things with a step. Once she'll do that, your loading issues will be gone.

SkyeDawn · 02-29-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pintophile

This tells me that no, she doesn't lead fine. Rearing, fighting, and refusing to go where you are leading her very loudly tells me that she certainly doesn't lead consistently, all the time. A horse trained to lead will go anywhere, regardless of steps, loud noises, or what have you. She leads when it's easy, and when it suits her. When she doesn't want to go or do something (like go in trailers, like go in strange stalls), she is incredibly resistant and, forgive me for saying, dangerous, if she rears and bolts and you need a chain over her nose to control her. Get her leading quietly everywhere you could possibly take her, and then you won't have to worry about a trailering issue :)

I agree with this. Solve the problem, not the symptom. :)

Lexiie · 02-29-2012, 05:30 PM

So would walking onto a wooden board help? And backing off?
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pintophile · 02-29-2012, 05:47 PM

Anywhere you can think that she might refuse, or anywhere you know she has refused in the past, is where you want to work with her. Start with stuff like you said above - wooden boards, tarps, 'easy' things, and get those down before moving on to 'harder' stuff like the actual trailer.

Lexiie · 02-29-2012, 06:25 PM

If I have her walking on tarps should I have the edges secured?
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ginjohns · 02-29-2012, 09:06 PM

Work on walking over boards. Then use some pallets and secure the boards to the top. I put panels on either side when I was working with my weanlings. Just to keep them from going off the side. I haven't done the tarp yet, but a freind of mine just has it laying around. She walks them over it loose so they get used to things that might rub or flap against thier legs. If your horse is skittish with the loose tarp, pin it down to start with. Start small and when they get used to that step up the difficulty. Your horse should trust you to lead them anywhere so build on the things they do well and work toward the things they have issue with. I am working on an obsticle course of sorts. Just things to walk over and around that can make it fun and challenge them. Have fun! But be safe.

MacabreMikolaj · 02-29-2012, 09:13 PM

Use a rope halter, not a chain. I find them 10x more effective working with obstinate or young horses. The knots make it uncomfortable to lean into the halter and teaches them a lot more respect then a plain nylon halter. It's the only type of halter I use for training.

Lexiie · 02-29-2012, 09:16 PM

Thanks everyone! I'll be trying all of this when I see her this weekend
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Lexiie · 03-09-2012, 03:21 PM

Guess what!!
ALIBI WALKED ON THE TRAILER TODAY! VERY CALMLY AT THAT! SHE STAYED ON AND THEN SHE BACKED OUT AFTER.SHE SNIFFED AROUND
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