Ridecamp: Re: [RC] trailer loading

Yes, but don't expect to get a frightened animal in a trailer in 20 minutes.
I had an Appaloosa that loaded fine when I got him, then got progressively
worse because I was too much of a pansy and tried to coax him in when he
would balk. I got sick of it. So I had 3 45 minute sessions of butt tapping
to get him to go over, under, and around EVERYTHING I could find. Then 2
sessions of 1 hour each of at-the-trailer work. Just unhurriedly loading and
unloading each foot. By the time I was done, that horse would calmly get
into a trailer at 2 AM in a thunderstorm (I know, I tried and he did it
without hesitation).

I love the JL method. Just don't rush it.

April
Nashville, TN

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cindi Hein" <maligatr2@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 7:15 PM
Subject: [RC] re: trailer loading


I second the John Lyons method.   A looong time ago I had an older quarter
horse and if she saw a horse trailer and you even tried to get her up to it,
  she would rear up and refuse to go within 500 feet of one.
This was when John L. was first starting out with his clinics.  We had a
group of us - 6 of us and he came out and did a three day seminar.
I told him about her "problem".  He had her literally jumping into the
trailer within 20 minutes.   And he basically just tapped her butt - 500
feet away from the trailer. LOL.
And this is all done without emotion - do NOT get mad.
When she took one step forward, the tapping stopped and she got praised.
Then the tapping starts up again - one step forward,  it stops and she gets
praised.
When she got to the trailer,  she was scared and he worked her accordingly.
Little more patience than if a horse was just plain stubborn.
After that,  I never had a problem with her again getting in and out of the
trailer.
Another important point is once they go in,  let them get out - even if it's
right away.  Show them that it's ok and you're not going to slam a door or a
divider on them.
Make sure you have time to work with them so you're not in a hurry.
But,  that method shows them that it's uncomfortable outside the trailer and
nice and comfortable inside.
It does work.
Cindi


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.375 / Virus Database: 210 - Release Date: 7/10/2002

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=