Do you have problems with trailer loading?
Of all the things that cause people the most problems with their horses loading has to be one of the most common. There can be nothing more frustrating than being stuck at a showground because your horse is refusing to load to go home or missing your dressage test because it took 3 hours to get them loaded. Like with any issue we might have with our horses the problem you are having is merely a symptom of a wider issue. There could be a myriad of reasons why your horse might be reluctant to load, and the cause can differ from horse to horse. In this article we are going to look at some of these causes, their symptoms and some of the solutions or techniques we might utilise to ‘fix’ the issue.
Of all the things that cause people the most problems with their horses loading has to be one of the most common. There can be nothing more frustrating than being stuck at a showground because your horse is refusing to load to go home or missing your dressage test because it took 3 hours to get them loaded. Like with any issue we might have with our horses the problem you are having is merely a symptom of a wider issue. There could be a myriad of reasons why your horse might be reluctant to load, and the cause can differ from horse to horse. In this article we are going to look at some of these causes, their symptoms and some of the solutions or techniques we might utilise to ‘fix’ the issue.
Knapping/Separation Anxiety/Stress/Previous Negative Experiences
When a horse gets stressed and bothered their ability to think and get comfortable with a situation is greatly diminished. Our first priority must always be to try and reduce stress and get them comfortable. Can you ride or lead your horse away from the barn or field and have him maintain a calm and confident disposition? Or do they get stressed or anxious? If the answer is no then it is unlikely that they are going to want to climb on a horse box or trailer as the outcome is the same.
Solution?
When a horse gets stressed and bothered their ability to think and get comfortable with a situation is greatly diminished. Our first priority must always be to try and reduce stress and get them comfortable. Can you ride or lead your horse away from the barn or field and have him maintain a calm and confident disposition? Or do they get stressed or anxious? If the answer is no then it is unlikely that they are going to want to climb on a horse box or trailer as the outcome is the same.
Solution?
- With any problem the first thing to do is to try and create a positive association to what ever the desired behaviour might be.
- Take your horse out to graze on their own or feed them in the trailer. Food can be a great way of creating a positive association with a desired behaviour it can also help the horse relax and get comfortable.
- Gradually increase the length and time and distance that you separate them from the barn or field companions.
- Always try and quit or offer them a break once they become comfortable. Working with a horse should be like eating an elephant one bite at a time.
Lack of Accuracy
Can you move and direct your horse’s feet with accuracy? A lot of times I go to visit people and just leading the horse from the field can be a problem. If you cant move your horse in both directions, make transitions to at the very least the trot, back them, yield the 4 different areas of the horse without resistance then your shortcomings are only going to be magnified when you try and load them into the trailer.
Solution?
Can you move and direct your horse’s feet with accuracy? A lot of times I go to visit people and just leading the horse from the field can be a problem. If you cant move your horse in both directions, make transitions to at the very least the trot, back them, yield the 4 different areas of the horse without resistance then your shortcomings are only going to be magnified when you try and load them into the trailer.
Solution?
- Practice each day refining your horse’s groundwork. The better they are away from the trailer the better they will become around the trailer.
- Practice being consistent and accurate whenever you’re around your horse. Always have a clear idea of what you want and work towards that goal.
Lack of Preparation
Before we ask the horse to perform any task or manoeuvre, we first make sure that they have all the information they need. The groundwork needs to be established as in the previous point but are they comfortable stepping up and off things, are they used to having things wrapped around their backends, can we walk and back them through narrow gaps? When we first introduce the trailer are we giving ourselves plenty of time?, is our focus on developing curiosity or are we just trying to force them in. Finally do they have the patience and ability to stand quietly tied up without getting stressed and anxious.
Solution?
Before we ask the horse to perform any task or manoeuvre, we first make sure that they have all the information they need. The groundwork needs to be established as in the previous point but are they comfortable stepping up and off things, are they used to having things wrapped around their backends, can we walk and back them through narrow gaps? When we first introduce the trailer are we giving ourselves plenty of time?, is our focus on developing curiosity or are we just trying to force them in. Finally do they have the patience and ability to stand quietly tied up without getting stressed and anxious.
Solution?
- Always break it down into stages in an ideal world they should have already loaded and unloaded in a calm and confident manner a number of times and on a number of separate occasions before we think about closing up the trailer and taking them anywhere.
- Ensure the groundwork is established and dependable.
- Practice tying them up and letting them stand for short periods of time without food or interaction to keep them comfortable. Always make sure you tie them somewhere they aren’t going to get hurt or in trouble and that they are unable to get their feet over the rope.
- Get them comfortable with things wrapped behind their hind ends
- Make sure we can walk them through and back them through narrow gaps.
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