Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Teresa,

I had the exact problem with my gelding when I first brought him home. If my 
mare was in first, he was fine. But, I often take him alone. So..here is 
what worked for me:

I use a very long 12' lead, and each time he backed out, I calmly led him 
about 20' behind the trailer and lunged him exactly 10x in each direction, 
then back to reload. I repeated this until he loaded and took off for my 
ride. I made sure I allowed time in my schedule for this, so I was not 
frustrated with him and stressed about being late to meet someone at the 
trailhead.

It probably took about 2-3 times each session at first, then got less over a 
few more sessions, now he loads right in. The important thing is to stay 
calm and be patient. Your horse will figure out that it is much easier to 
get in than do stupid circles!

You may have already done this, but I found that having something he really 
wants in the manger of the trailer helps too.

Ranelle Rubin
Coaching and Consulting Services
The Coaching Center
Distributor Dynamite Products
Freeform Referral Source (meet me at the trail and try one!)
ranelle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
raneller@xxxxxxx

916-663-4140 home office
916-718-2427 cellular
916-848-3662 fax




> From: Teresa Williams <dugans.tiger@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [RC]   Trailer loading
> Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 07:40:07 -0800 (PST)
>
> Maybe some of you can help. I have a 4 yo Arab-cross mare who is a great 
> endurance prospect in every way, except that she won't load in the trailer 
> when it's time to travel. She loads when we aren't going anywhere, but 
> rather practicing. How the heck does she know? I have been very careful to 
> keep my energy level the same( traveling or practicing) and to show no sign 
> of urgency, but she figures it out every time.
>
> She goes in the trailer, just won't stay to allow the butt bar to be 
> fastened. No way to have a second person help with loading.... have to find 
> a way to do it solo. Using a Brenderup 2H straight load with a ramp. I lead 
> her in, then when I try to go behind to fasten, she backs out calmly...over 
> and over again. Freaks out and sets back if I try to tie her (only sets 
> back if tied in trailer). She drives on the ground, but not into the 
> trailer, so that's another hurdle here.
>
> Advice would be appreciated. Just in case you're wondering, I am not an 
> idiot with no experience. I know this is a ground manners and respect 
> issue. We have great rapport except for trailer loading... I need some new 
> ideas/advice. I rarely post b/c advice occasionally tends to be on the 
> condescending side... I'll suffer through any amount of condecension to get 
> some real help with this!
>
> Thanks for any help you can offer,
>
> TWms
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.
> http://new.mail.yahoo.com



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=