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uglyrhino
3 Posts |
 Posted - 06/10/2009 : 3:38:38 PM
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| My one horse used to hate getting onto the trailer. Now he is fine with that, but does not want to get OFF the trailer. It has become quite the issue, with it sometimes taking 45 minutes to get him off. After riding lesson and getting him home, we have had to drive the trailer into the pasture and leave him to get himself off the trailer. It has been suggested that I get a tranquilizer from the vet, but would like to find a different method to work without drugging him up. A bit of background: once while loading him, he pulled back and up and got a gash in his forehead which required stitches. Since then it has gotten harder and harder and even dangerous to try to get him off the trailer (and I have a 3-horse slant and he has the option of walking out-backing up is even more of a thing for him to freak about, so don't suggest that one-thought he would kill my trainer with that try). I am pregnant and it is not worth the risk to keep doing it the way we have been (my girls are riding the horses now). Any suggestions for what can be done about this problem? I am in Michigan, so if you know of a 'horse whisperer' that might be able to help out, I am open to that option as well! Thanks! |
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matt15598
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2009 : 07:15:58 AM
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| Just a though tbut have you tryed to work him slowly? An example would be to only half load him let him stand then back him off. Then you would be able to narrow down where his fear lies and work through the tough spot. |
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Horizon Structures
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2009 : 10:13:31 AM
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When you say it takes him so long to get off, what is he doing for those 45 minutes? Does he just not want to move, and then he finally convinces himself and leaps off at the end?
I would not tranq him, and letting him unload himself is probably a good idea if that seems to be working. Maybe even leave the trailer parked in his pasture all the time if you can.
Without knowing the horse or anything really, here's what I would try if you haven't already (again, I don't know the horse!). I would have someone he knows and trusts (probably you or your daughter) lead him, and someone behind him with a dressage whip. Poke a whip through a window or something if there's not enough room; I know you said the trailer was a slant load.
The person at his head should have grain or mints in their pockets or some other treat he really likes. Standing next to him, go to lead him off using the grain or mints as a enticer and feed him as he goes off - as you go, YOU crouch down a little bit and keep you hand about waist level to encourage him to put his head down. I'm assuming he's worried about hitting his head.
As you go off, have the person with the whip tap his butt as necessary or maybe tap the side of the trailer to encourage him off. Then when he does get off, even if it's a bit of a jump, as long as he gets off in some way and stands, praise praise praise him and give him more treats.
I would probably not try to repeat this over and over in a single session... I feel like it would probably just upset him more than necessary. Just do it as part of the routine when you trailer to and from your lesson and he'll start to relax more and more over time. Try not to make a "big deal" about it, just do it and don't screw around.
Also, I probably would NOT stand in front of him at all. He'll probably want a clear span out in front of him. And I would probably NOT try to *pull* him off with the halter. Don't even touch his head with pressure on the lead! As you lead him off, stand at his shoulder and follow him.
That's my two cents. Hope that made sense! The thing with the handler crouching down and feeding treats down kind of low is something that has worked with some horses I've worked with trailering. And don't touch his head!
- Nicole -
www.HorizonStructures.com
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uglyrhino
3 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2009 : 8:54:45 PM
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| Thanks for the ideas. My biggest concern with being on the trailer with him when trying to unload is he is all over the place. It seems quite dangerous at times. He usually ends up practically leaping off the trailer in the end. At the last lesson, we ended up leaving him on the trailer closed up for a period, then going back and trying again. After 45 minutes, we left him and my daughters split lesson into 2 30-minute segments so each could ride. After the one daughter was done, we went and checked on the horse again. He got off after a few minutes. Then when we got him home, it was about 5 minutes again. So it seems as though there is improvement, albeit slow. He likes treats but using them to coax him is really not something he goes for. It seems to be a fear of his to deal with the trailer. My trainer wanted me to leave him in the trailer alone all night-no food. I could not do that, as to me it seems as though that is not a way to get over a FEAR but rather a way to ingrain that very fear. Will try to lower and offer a peppermint this next time (for although he loves carrots, they did not work to help last time). Here is hoping for a more successful time next time around. Thanks again for the hints! |
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PC1
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2009 : 11:11:43 AM
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To build on what Nicole said (great advice).
A trailer is a very scary strange place for them.
You need to be very patient with him especially since he has been hurt in one. I agree with you, I would not lock him in the trailer over night or any unnecessary period for that matter.
Have you ever loaded him not to be moved?
Try opening up all the windows, escape door, remove the dividers (I have a three horse slant too),make it open and bright for him and just bring him in for his favorite snack (carrots) talk very calm and soothing to him. I do not like the idea and would recommend not doing this while pregnant!
Try practicing this, maybe just once a day several different times without moving the trailer, to make him relate to going in the trailer can be a good thing.
Good luck and keep us posted. |
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Star_dancer
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2009 : 01:10:21 AM
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| To add to what everyone else is saying,if people were around when he hit his head,he could very well have associated the pain with the trailer with the people.So you could try to put a longe line on him wile trying to unload him.Then take the lead and put it to the right of him and string it around his butt.Stand back and ask him to back out of the trailer.He will see that you are no where near him and may relax a bit.By putting the longe line to the right,you are saying and telling him to spin to face you when he gets out of the trailer.It is not something that you have to teach him necessarily,but it is something that he will figure out and go OH OK! |
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PetesMom
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2009 : 12:02:33 PM
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I've seen a friend of mine use the technique described by star_dancer. It worked like a charm and she was able to load her horse all by herself.
Jill
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Horizon Structures
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2009 : 10:34:11 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by uglyrhino
Thanks for the ideas. My biggest concern with being on the trailer with him when trying to unload is he is all over the place. It seems quite dangerous at times. He usually ends up practically leaping off the trailer in the end.
Glad the hear the update, keep us posted if you can. I wanted to comment on this part if particular. If a horse was hurt in the trailer, depending on their personality they may not ever truly "get over it" and be like the were before.
One of our horses hit his head coming off the trailer when being unloaded by a careless person once. He never hit his head again after that, and we worked with him like I suggest in my first post, but he never really walked off a trailer completely calmly again. Once the trailer was stopped, he was the first to get unloaded. He would move his feet nervously where he was tied and go down the ramp rather quickly (he didn't exactly leap off, but it wasn't a slow calm walk).
With a horse like that, the best thing was just for the handler to maintain a calm and peaceful attitude, and for the handler to move deftly and purposefully. He did not go back to how he was, but if you "just do it" calmly and swiftly you could unload him safely. Sometimes a lot of "ooh-ing and aah-ing" and patting a "what a good boy!" just makes some horses more nervous in a situation like that.
Just my experience with that horse. I guess my point is that he may always take a bit of a jump off the trailer or something. The important thing is for the handler to stay calm and reassure him, not necessarily FORCE him to walk calmly or repeat loading and unloading over and over and over.
I wouldn't leave him in the trailer for an extended period of time at all, but maybe if someone could try to get him off for a few minutes, and if he doesn't want to go just close the door and go away for ten to fifteen minutes. Then come back and try to get him off again for a few minutes. That's what it sounds like you did and seemed to work?
- Nicole -
www.HorizonStructures.com
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Horse Trailering Issue
