ridecamp@endurance.net: Trailer Question

Trailer Question

karriew@juno.com
Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:37:09 -0400

My horse is usually pretty smart. Learns things after the first try, but
I am having a problem with trailers. She LOADS like a dream.......travels
as well as you can expect, normal stamping, etc, but UNLOADING has become
a nightmare. She RUNS of backwards as if terribly spooked. The first few
times I did not think much of it, but this last time we were on a longer
trailer, so when she threw her head, she was not clear of the trailer and
suffered a nice wound needing about 10 stitches. My thought is that she
is used to shorter trailers and expected a ramp to be there as soon as
she stepped back. This trailer is long enough to back up and turn around
so that the horses can unload forward, but we never go the chance. As
soon as the butt bar is removed and you grab the lead, she rushes
backward (and there is no holding her if you like your life) She is
relatively new to my care and I know NOTHING of her previous history.
Normally she is VERY calm and relaxed, except for this. (She is also
terrified of stalls, thus I do not keep her in one at anytime. Any
suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

Karolyn and Sage

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