Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I second what Ranelle said about lunging.  If she backs out, calmly move her away from the trailer and lunge her in both directions for a few minutes.  Then load her again.  Each time she backs out, she should be lunged again.  If she *starts* to back out and stops, ask her ONCE to step back in...if she doesn't, lunge her.  She'll figure out that it's a lot less work to just stay in the #$%@ trailer than be lunged.  :)  We've used this on a couple of our horses who will load just fine, but every once in a while would get a pigheaded streak and plant their feet and say "no."  They learned that "no" is not a word they're allowed to use.  :)

Dawn in East Texas

 

On 12/5/06, Teresa Williams <dugans.tiger@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

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

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