trailer loading problem

[Chelle Sherman <cms@fluent.com>]

Hi - your problem is not loading the horse, but getting her comfortable
enough to stand in there. I think you're in too much of a hurry to lock
her in, and she knows this. You need to load her in, and let her stand
there and eat grain, relax, then back her out. Do it again and again,
letting her stand in there longer and longer - either with you in the
trailer or not (I prefer to self-load my horses, rather than walk in
with them). Let her experience the inside of the trailer as a place of
no resistance, where it is quiet and there is food. In a short time,
I'll wager, she'll become more comfortable, and you'll be able to slowly
put up the butt bar, etc., in steps. You may want to load her in the
trailer and let her eat her breakfast there, every morning for a week or
two - with no restraints up, and no tying. Just stand at the back of the
trailer so you can catch the lead rope if she backs out. Horses have a
natural suspicion of closed spaces (think canyons with mountain lions
ready to jump on them). She just needs time to trust that space before
you confine her in it. Hope this helps.

Chelle


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