Re: [RC] "different" training technique - trailer unloading - april
Ok, I can't stand it. Out of lurk
again.
As silly as I sound, I back my horses out of the
trailer by saying, "back, back, back, back,..STEP"
They back one step for each time I say and when I
say STEP they know it is the edge and step out and down. They back smooth, as
fast or slow as I say, and are very relaxed with no worries about where the edge
is. They know I will tell them and they trust me.
I trained this by parking the trailer wheels in a
ditch so they can practically walk in and back out with only a few inches drop.
We go forwards front feet in the trailer, then back out, all the way in, back
out, over and over again. "back, back, back, back, STEP" . Then reposition
the trailer or use those cement blocks, the kinda flat ones, to raise the
trailer a couple inches, then do it again. Raise the trailer, do it
again. Over and over again until the trailer is full height. I do
this over several days, working each height level until the horse backs and
steps down smoothly at that height. Some times it talkes 7 or 8 times at a
level, sometimes 2 or 3. It only takes 10 minutes or so at a time though. I wind
up with a horse that waits until I say "back," backs at the speed I want, and
trusts me and is perfectly comfortable with getting in and out of the trailer,
no stress about it, and doesn't bump and slip and drop getting down.
They KNOW when it is the edge and step down accordingly. My boys load
like a beagle going hunting. The only problem I have is if somebody is grazing
in the yard while I am practicing the trailer with another horse, they want to
come get in and out too.
