How do you get claustrophobia out of a horse?

Question

My horse hates getting into trailers, and dosen't like to be tied up very well. Please help.

Answer 1

Is your horse in a large corral? If so, follow this method:


Pull your trailer into your corral. LEAVE IT OPEN. Make sure the escape hatch and tack room are closed however. This will allow your horse to explore the tack trailer.


EVERY day without fail, Halter your horse and bring him closer and closer to the trailer. Put a hay net inside the bag and allow him to know it's there.


If you feel anxious, put his hay INSIDE the trailer, where he would actually have to step into it to get it.

Answer 2

with lots of patience. If your horse has had a particularly bad experiance with trailering, he may be incurable, but most horses, with time will come to be tollerant if not like trailering.

First, get the trailer as inviting as possible, if you have a step up, borrow a friends ramp load trailer. If the partitian in the middle swings or even better, removes completely, adjust it so the space is as wide as possible. Next open all windows and doors so as much light enters the trailer as possible.

Away from the trailer, practice leading your horse properly, put the chain over his nose (it will be helpful when loading, so get him used to it), and lead him all over, through tight places, such as between a couple of jump standards and a wall, if possible. Practice holding a dressage whip around him because that can be useful to encourage him into the trailer from behind with out being to harsh (be sure not to hit him with it ever, just a light shake behind his rump)
Next as often as possible, practice leading him up to the trailer, don't expect him to get on the first time, 2nd, even 3rd time, but always try to end on a progressive note. for example the first time if he will stand quietly by the trailer with out getting all worked up, give him a treat and let him be done. 2nd time see if he will get a leg onto the trailer. When he finally loads, put the bar and the back up (or closed) then before he gets antsy, unload him and be done. ECT. the goal is never to get impatiant or lose your temper, understand that horses are flight animals, when they are closed up in a trailer, 1 they can't see whats going on around them well if its dark, and 2 they can't escape quickly if they were frightaned. good luck.

Answer 3

well i mean with sheer force a group of adults can get a horse into a trailer, and for the tieing up thing get some ties that hang from the ceiling in an open part of the barn but be sure to use quick release snaps for the first few times jsut incase

Answer 4

Horses are naturally suspicious of closed spaces, because they are prey animals. They need to be able to see all around, due to the normal instinct for watching for predators. When they are in a closed space, they can act differently,because their normal defenses are compromised.

I have heard of people keeping the trailer in the pasture area, to allow the horse to start to accept in into its normal environment. Then try placing food in it, and leading your horse in a little at a time. If you go slow enough, and your horse is allowed to get used to the trailer, it may get better. Remember, that if you think about the natural instincts of a horse, you will do better with training. Good luck!

Answer 5

Start with ground tying him. That means that attach him to a leadrope the just let it dangle down and sit on the floor. This way he thinks he is being tied but has freedom. Next for the trailor issue: If you make your horse go in the trailor before you go out and put him out into his pasture or something he knows he enjoys. So make him work for his reward: food, treats, grazing time, etc... Does he have a problem going in his stall because that is also a pretty small space and my horse rushes like a mad man. If that happens try to renforce him with a good reward and take him out and walk him in again.

I hope this helps. I am in the same situation as you, but you know what is is much more fun and educational to work with my horse than any other horse!!!

Answer 6

i had this problem with my horse, but it wasn't claustrophobia. it was fear of the trailer itself. before i had bought her she was in a horrible trailer accident and had over 100 stitches in her head.

we had to work and coax her into the trailer with treats and showered her with attention and show her it was ok and it wasn't going to hurt her. the trailer was parked in the pasture when we weren't using it and we left it open so she could go in and out as she pleased. we left a few flakes of hay near the front of the trailer as well so she could get used to it.

since we had a 3 horse trailer, this worked rather well. however, i am not sure what kind you have. if you have a different style, it might not work as well.

good luck and don't worry...just be patient ... your horse will come around.

Answer 7

I have freind that had the same problem....she started working with her in a large round pen out side and then taking out a panel each day or two until the pen only had four panels. After that she worked with her in a really large arena and working down to a large barn and then a stall in a smaller barn. It took a long time but she does much better to load and unload. She is still working on loading her in and out of a two hourse trailer a couple times a week.

Answer 8

My daughters Arabian mare is claustrophobic. We trailer her by giving her a dose of quietex tranquilizer first, then hauling her in a stock trailer untied. She does fine. She cannot be put in a stall or she paces and sweats. So, she runs in a 600 acre pasture with a herd. She's never mean about any of this, it's just part of her personality.

Answer 9

You have to do a slow train. There is the horse whisperer I'm not sure if he has a website he has some great tips for horse owners. good luck.

Answer 10

does your trailer have a window? If it doesn't maybe you should install a window (big) that will let in light so it won't be that dark. Try treats too. And as I always say time is the best healer.