Rearing while loading in trailer.

11302 Views 35 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Acadianartist, Jun 13, 2017

Jade Dewinter

Discussion Starter · Jun 10, 2017

Hi all! Would love to hear some suggestions, as I've exhausted a lot of my knowledge and resources. ............ Problem: A horse who has trailered before, now once she's half on rears backward violently and hits her head on the top edge of the door. She's done it twice now severely, once requiring 12 stitches. I'm very worried about her doing further damage to herself, one because I love her, and two because I want to show her and obviously do not want her to have a mangled face..................... What I've tried: 1) Asking her to go in, if she refuses, I go work her away from the trailer for several minutes to show her the trailer is a rest. Can do this for hours and hours on end with no progress. 2) Working her around the trailer, then showing her inside is the rest. 3) Asking for only a step at a time and giving reward when she does so. This works until she's half in, then she explodes and hits herself or just narrowly avoids hitting herself if I'm lucky............... She will happily go half in, but as soon as she gets her hind feet about to go in, she very violently rears backward and hits herself. If she were just rushing backward I could work through that, but it's twice now she's hit her head badly, as she's throwing it up very high and hitting it as she almost falls over backward coming out. She hasn't seemed to 'learn' not to hit herself, either...................... The trailer is a nearly new, bright, open, 3 horse slant that is fully opened for her to go in. It is not a 'scary trailer'........... I want to be able to work through this issue, but it's so dangerous what she's doing that I can't allow this behaviour to keep happening or she's going to do something very serious/permanent to herself................. Would love to hear some suggestions! Sorry for bad formatting, not sure how to change it. I'm new. Cheers.

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ClearDonkey

· #21 · Jun 12, 2017

Smilie said:
Whether you send a horse into a trailer, or lead him in, depends on type of trailer
Stacy is sending her horse into a two horse straight load, which is logical

I respectfully disagree. My horses load in by sending, regardless the type of trailer. If it is a straight load, the lead rope goes over their back and the door closes behind them. If it is a slant load, I expect them to load in their slant spot, and wait for me to close the divider, or follow them in and clip them, depending on the horse. If it is the last spot in a slant trailer, same thing, the lead rope goes over their back and the door closes behind them.

If this horse is rearing, you couldn't pay me to get in an enclosed place with it. Again, I am probably one of the few on the forum that believe that sending into a trailer is the best method to have. Don't get me wrong, I can walk every single one of my horses into trailers too, but why limit my tools to just that?

Smilie

· #22 · Jun 12, 2017

ClearDonkey said:
I respectfully disagree. My horses load in by sending, regardless the type of trailer. If it is a straight load, the lead rope goes over their back and the door closes behind them. If it is a slant load, I expect them to load in their slant spot, and wait for me to close the divider, or follow them in and clip them, depending on the horse. If it is the last spot in a slant trailer, same thing, the lead rope goes over their back and the door closes behind them.

If this horse is rearing, you couldn't pay me to get in an enclosed place with it. Again, I am probably one of the few on the forum that believe that sending into a trailer is the best method to have. Don't get me wrong, I can walk every single one of my horses into trailers too, but why limit my tools to just that?

Well, you see, my horses are first well mannered, respectful, so why would I send a horse into a trailer, when I then must step up and fasten that horse with the quick release, then step out, send second horse in, get back in to clip that horse in place. Sorry, makes zero sense to me
I also don't have deviders in my three horse angle haul, and see no need for them, ever since I no longer haul stallions with other horses.
Besides hauling down highways, I haul on mountain roads, where horses need all the advantage they can have to balance
I also used to haul mares with foals, either to breed to an outside stud, or to avet. The mare would be led in and tied, and the foal would then be encouraged to follow her, left loose.

I am also not suggesting leading this mare in, until her problems are fixed,AWAY from the trailer

mckenzies

· #23 · Jun 12, 2017

We had a TB that would constantly refuse the trailer. It would take us hours sometimes, but he would eventually load. We solved the problem by feeding him near the trailer and gradually working up to feeding him in the trailer. We didn't have as many problems since then.

ClearDonkey

· #24 · Jun 12, 2017

Smilie said:
Well, you see, my horses are first well mannered, respectful, so why would I send a horse into a trailer, when I then must step up and fasten that horse with the quick release, then step out, send second horse in, get back in to clip that horse in place. Sorry, makes zero sense to me
I also don't have deviders in my three horse angle haul, and see no need for them, ever since I no longer haul stallions with other horses.
Besides hauling down highways, I haul on mountain roads, where horses need all the advantage they can have to balance
I also used to haul mares with foals, either to breed to an outside stud, or to avet. The mare would be led in and tied, and the foal would then be encouraged to follow her, left loose.

I am also not suggesting leading this mare in, until her problems are fixed,AWAY from the trailer

Well, there is the difference - it is incredibly rare to have a trailer around me without dividers. I don't own my own trailer anymore, and haul with others, so there is always dividers. Two different ways to do things, neither is wrong.

Did OP ever post what kind of trailer she uses?

Whether there is dividers, no dividers, a straight load, whatever - sending is a good first step to keep herself out of danger. I've helped people load horses that rear, and as soon as the person stopped pulling to get them in, or being in their way, all of a sudden the rearing was fixed. My horse used to be a nightmare, taking sometimes over an hour to load...sending in changed that to under 30 seconds.

I also no longer tie while trailering, the lead just gets tossed over my horses back, unless the ride is a longer one, where I will tie in. Again, my horses load whether I walk them in or send - it's always nice to have options.

Smilie

· #25 · Jun 13, 2017

Agree not to try pulling a horse into a trailer, that is not solid on giving to pressure. A horse solid to giving to pressure,does not rear, back out of a trailer unasked, ect
Therefore, my advise to fix holes away from trailer first.
I also agree neither method is right or wrong, but that for me, it makes sense to lead my horses that have learned to trailer and load correctly from day one,as My trailer is an angle haul, no dividers, so I lead number one horse in, tie tot he quick release, then lead horse number two in,and tie to the quick release, next to that of horse number one
I tie my horses, and only haul cattle loose LOL. I don't need two or three horses tap dancing in the trailer, esp hauling on mountain roads
Only horses I leave loose, are foals or any other young horse not truly halter broke
When I get to where i am going, I also don't need several hroses waiting at the door to get out.
They wait, as I un load them each at a time, either asking them to back out t o turn a round and come out foreward. I then tie that horse to the trailer, while the other horse(S) wait their turn to be un loaded.Trailer door is left open
I also take turn, hauling with a friend, or sometime with my son,and those horses are also tied.No one would be impressed if I told them I wanted to leave my horse loose!
I won't trailer in a straight load two horse-been there done that one, and horses are much much happier being hauled in an angle haul,without dividers
Not saying anything wrong if you want those options, I just have no practical reason to send ahorse, unless it is a foal, not halter broke.
I do teach them to both back out,and go out forward.
Just the clanging of dividers, driving on rough mountain roads, would drive not only the horses , but me nuts, and I don't want horses to learn to balance by leaning on a divider.

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Smilie

· #26 · Jun 13, 2017

We are still waiting on the OP for the trailering history on this hrose, her own personal experience hauling this horse,if any, or if the trailer, which is an angle haul, has dividers
Horses really prefer no dividers. I loaned Smilie once to a friend, and when she brought Smilie back, as she was coming down our road, my son remarked, your horse is coming home, as he could hear her pawing in that trailer.
She never pawed in mine. My friend's trailer had dividers
I am not saying everyone should take dividers out, but that it might be a factor for this hrose, .
Of course, the horse might have been delivered to the OP,so obviously 'trailered\before, but how the seller got the horse loaded, how well she loaded in the past, is then an unknown

Foxhunter

· #27 · Jun 13, 2017

Slightly off topic but in the UK it is illegal to travel horses without a partition/divider of some sorts unless it is a mare and foal or, feral ponies.

Acadianartist

· #28 · Jun 13, 2017

Smilie said:
We are still waiting on the OP for the trailering history on this hrose, her own personal experience hauling this horse,if any, or if the trailer, which is an angle haul, has dividers
Horses really prefer no dividers. I loaned Smilie once to a friend, and when she brought Smilie back, as she was coming down our road, my son remarked, your horse is coming home, as he could hear her pawing in that trailer.
She never pawed in mine. My friend's trailer had dividers
I am not saying everyone should take dividers out, but that it might be a factor for this hrose, .
Of course, the horse might have been delivered to the OP,so obviously 'trailered\before, but how the seller got the horse loaded, how well she loaded in the past, is then an unknown

Don't mean to get too far off topic, but if you remove the dividers (I'm thinking about doing this), there is no butt bar. Now the trailer I'm using has a rear ramp, but it is solidly held shut on both sides, so there's no danger of Harley kicking it open until I unfasten it. But is it safe to haul a horse without a butt bar?

horselovinguy

· #29 · Jun 13, 2017

Acadianartist said:
But is it safe to haul a horse without a butt bar?

In my opinion....
Only if the trailer was designed to not have a butt bar
And
Only if the horse is a rock steady horse who stands perfectly still once the trailer rear is opened...
Otherwise... NO!
A horse who pulls back, tries to leave before you are ready for their departure is dangerous to open the rear door of a trailer without a butt bar or chain in place...period!
To many have been trampled by a sudden exiting horse...if caught a broken femur possibly sustained or worse and or a very loose horse running frantically around someplace they not know now.. :-(
:runninghorse2:....

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Acadianartist

· #30 · Jun 13, 2017

horselovinguy said:
In my opinion....
Only if the trailer was designed to not have a butt bar
And
Only if the horse is a rock steady horse who stands perfectly still once the trailer rear is opened...
Otherwise... NO!
A horse who pulls back, tries to leave before you are ready for their departure is dangerous to open the rear door of a trailer without a butt bar or chain in place...period!
To many have been trampled by a sudden exiting horse...if caught a broken femur possibly sustained or worse and or a very loose horse running frantically around someplace they not know now.. :-(
:runninghorse2:....

That's what I was thinking... Harley does not rush out of a trailer, and always waits for us to tell him he can start backing out, but still... seems like a butt bar is an important safety feature! I'd like to remove the partition to see if he's happier that way, but then there's nothing to hang the butt bar on.

horselovinguy

· #31 · Jun 13, 2017

Acadianartist said:
That's what I was thinking... Harley does not rush out of a trailer, and always waits for us to tell him he can start backing out, but still... seems like a butt bar is an important safety feature! I'd like to remove the partition to see if he's happier that way, but then there's nothing to hang the butt bar on.

A butt bar is a very important safety feature on a trailer, especially if the trailer was designed with one and you choose to not use it...:-(
I feel the same way about partitions...there is a reason that that piece is there in the trailer.
A trailer that is correctly sized for your horse is not "cramped" but the horse is able to brace and spread their legs for balancing that so many think doesn't exist if they want or need.
In fact, if you get a trailer monitoring camera you can watch a horse on a haul use those dividers and stall wall to lean against to give their legs a break during the journey, same as that butt bar can and does do for many trailering patrons {our horses}. The longer the journey, the more leg fatigue can occur and the need for "posturing" choices needed.
:runninghorse2:...
jmo...

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Smilie

· #32 · Jun 13, 2017

Not all trailers come with dividers, far an angle haul, and goose neck stock trailers out here, certainly don't
Some horses become scramblers, when they learn to lean, being hauled\Since everyone i know, except strictly show people, haul without dividers, haul on very rough roads, all have horses that have zero problems ever loading or being trailered, that actually are eager to get into the trailer after along ride,something must be right!
Of course those straight load two horse trailers, need butt bars.
If you wish to avoid leg fatigue on along ride, put something like soft ride hoof boots on, as leaning against a divider will not do anything, far as dampening that vibration

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Smilie

· #33 · Jun 13, 2017

Foxhunter said:
Slightly off topic but in the UK it is illegal to travel horses without a partition/divider of some sorts unless it is a mare and foal or, feral ponies.

Really!
Yet I saw trailers being hauled by vehicles in Germany, that would be strictly illegal here, for safety reasons

Smilie

· #34 · Jun 13, 2017

Acadianartist said:
Don't mean to get too far off topic, but if you remove the dividers (I'm thinking about doing this), there is no butt bar. Now the trailer I'm using has a rear ramp, but it is solidly held shut on both sides, so there's no danger of Harley kicking it open until I unfasten it. But is it safe to haul a horse without a butt bar?

On straight load trailers, no, but I am talking of angle haul trailers, like I have, stock trailers and, a trailer I assume that the oP has.
I think ramps on horse trailers are a hazzard. Horses have no problem stepping up into a trailer, even a high one, nor backing out of one
One of the worst wreaks I had, was backing a young horse out a trailer, with a ramp, and where there was ice on the ground, with the back legs then slippiing, and the horse sliding under the ramp part way, not able to get up

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beau159

· #35 · Jun 13, 2017

Jade Dewinter said:
Problem: A horse who has trailered before, now once she's half on rears backward violently and hits her head on the top edge of the door.

It's just been this year when she's ready to show that she's developed this issue.

She'll even load half in the trailer without much fuss, but as soon as her hind end is close to being in, she has the big reaction.

Based on your description, this sounds like something that has started happening suddenly. In my mind, whenever there is a SUDDEN change in behavior, I look first to finding a reason for PAIN.

How old is your horse?
What events do you show her in?
Does she have any possible rear end lameness with hocks or stifles?

In this case, that would be the first avenue I would explore. Something seems to be causing a severe reaction from this horse when you ask her to step up into the trailer with the hind end.

I would also fully examine your trailer. For example, there have been cases of electric shock to horses in the trailer due to faulty wiring. So I would have your trailer checked as well that might explain a sudden change in behavior.

Jade Dewinter said:
What I've tried: 1) Asking her to go in, if she refuses, I go work her away from the trailer for several minutes to show her the trailer is a rest. Can do this for hours and hours on end with no progress. 2) Working her around the trailer, then showing her inside is the rest. 3) Asking for only a step at a time and giving reward when she does so.

Once you have ruled out a pain issue, you can go about re-training.

Of course, schooling a horse for hours and hours on end isn't helping you or your horse. That's way past the frustration level for the both of you.

I've made a post in the past about trailer loading, because that was easier than retyping over and over. I suggest you read it over.

Trailer Loading 101

I too am a fan of SENDING the horse onto the trailer. However, it's more than just that, or just leading. It's about having complete control over your horse's feet and body. If you have true control over their feet, you can send or lead them anywhere.

With a severe issue like yours (again, assuming you rule out pain), expect this re-training process to take several weeks before you ever even ask your horse to load those back feet onto the trailer.

With a 3-horse slant load trailer, I personally like to send the horse on the trailer, close the divider behind them, then close the back door, and THEN go around to the window to tie them. (Do in reverse when you are unloading.)

Luce73 said:
Can you park the trailer in her paddock/field and leave it open? Maybe even feed near it and slowly day by day move the food inside until the trailer is not a big deal to her?

Personally, I think this method is useless because you are not fixing the root problem. Usually, it's not the trailer that is a big deal at all -- it's a ground work issue (or possibly a pain issues, as mentioned above)

waresbare said:
Okay, now I got my answer, don't haul her in a straight haul trailer, it's brutal on her. To rehabilitate this horse to loading and hauling again, use an open stock trailer and let her ride how she wants.

Straight load trailers are not brutal.

The type of trailer has nothing to do with it.

acadianartist said:
Don't mean to get too far off topic, but if you remove the dividers (I'm thinking about doing this), there is no butt bar. Now the trailer I'm using has a rear ramp, but it is solidly held shut on both sides, so there's no danger of Harley kicking it open until I unfasten it. But is it safe to haul a horse without a butt bar?

I have a 3-horse gooseneck slant trailer. It came with a butt bar for the back stall. I don't use it.

I usually put Red in the back stall. He's a good traveler. He self-loads and self-unloads as I instruct him. We put a lot of miles on the road and I've never had an issue not using the butt bar. I also don't tie him.

With my trailer, there is no way the door can come unlatched while driving. However, there are trailers out there that could based on how their doors fasten shut .... if I had one of those, I would absolutely use that butt bar. So I would say it depends on your horse and your trailer.

smilie said:
I think ramps on horse trailers are a hazzard.

I agree with you on that.

I had always wanted a trailer with a ramp because I thought it would be nicer for the horses. I even seriously considered putting a ramp on my trailer when I bought it, but I didn't want to dish out the $1,000+ to do it at the time.

Now I am glad I didn't. I've seen so many stories of injuries due to ramps. Horses slipping off the side of the ramp -- or slipping on the ramp itself -- or heaven forbid, getting a foot caught in the space where the ramp attaches to the trailer.

So I plan on never having a ramp on my trailer. The horses can step up and down easily, and IMO is much safer.

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Acadianartist

· #36 · Jun 13, 2017

I have to say, I agree with the ramp comments. I hate them! Sadly, every trailer to which I currently have access has one. Harley loves acting like he will go up the ramp, then at the last minute, takes steps sideways to avoid it. Right on the edge of that $%# ramp! I'm so worried he will slice his leg open on the metal edge.

If I ever get around to buying my own, I want a step-up.

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