Trailering for Horses?

Question

I have a horse that DOESN'T like trailering. ANY suggestions?(butt rope,etc.)
ALL HAVE TO BE serious ANSWERS.

I just found out this morning that she was abused when she was younger. Someone beat her with a 2X4, baseball bat, and many other things. He beat her EXTREMELY hard, too. This might, and will, effect her.

Answer 1

I have a suggestion- I think if you leave the trailer in the paddock, the horse is very likely to injure itself on it, which will spook it further.

Make sure that you can lead your horse forward and backwards. Walk the horse up to the trailer, keeping a firm hold on the lead rope, don't let the horse go to the left or the right, but staight, and make sure the horses head stays at your shoulder.

If the horse backs up, let it, just ask again. You will find that there will be a pause, just before he starts reversing- look for that. When he pauses- tell him to back up. Once he has taken three steps back, walk him forward. No standing still for him and no patting or good boys until he's in the trailer.

If he flies in and out, just get him to walk three steps forward, two steps back three forward, two back, on and on until hes on the trailer.

He needs to remember his manners, regardless of the situation. If at any time he gets too far in front of you, back him up. The same thing with unloading. If he charges out the back of the trailer- walk him back in and start again. This gives him time to concentrate on what he's doing and figure out that he needs to listen to you, and that the trailer isn't scary.

If the horse plays up while in the trailer- Put him in for 5-10 minutes then take him out, give him a break, then back in for another 5-10 minutes. Once he learns to stand still in the trailer, take him for a trip around the block. When you get back, wait 5-10 minutes, then get him out. Lengthen the trips over time to get him used to travelling. It's really important not to let him out until he's standing still and relaxed- you need to allow him the time to prove to himself that the trailer is alright.

All the best

Answer 2

italianrose59 may have the answer. This how we do most horses. They get used to getting food. Then in time close the Gate and pet them from the window. Then you can have someone pull the trailer around very slow as you pet and comfort the horse, maybe have a little sweet feed too. After we get to this point we try a slow trip down a road with someone comforting the horse. IF, you have a Two horse trailer then you be ready to let the horse ride with a good trailering horse. Load the skittish horse second. Oh! John Lyons has some real good books for the money, and, they not alot to read. Short and to the point.

Answer 3

As long as you have breaks for the horse it should be fine. I traveled about 5 hours with horses in a trailer and gave a break every 2 hours it was fine. My friend traveled from NC to TX and the horses weren't stressed. I'm sure they will be fine.

Answer 4

It is not a quick fix but my dad always pulled the trailer into the horse pen and opened the gate and tied it open, then would feed the horse in the trailer everyday untill it got used to it, but make sure the horse can not get to the food any other way. I t may take a week but the horse will not starve itself to stay out of the trailer.

Answer 5

A friend of mine how had trouble with his horse loading in the trailer. They put the trailer in the horse paddock and put his feed in there for the horse to go and eat his feed, and that way the horse when into the float better.

Answer 6

Try leaving the Trailer in Her pasture and Only Feed Her in it. After a while She will realize its not a scary or harmful place to Be.. If that's not possible try feeding a long lead rope through the front window and with two People standing behind Her link your arms together and while pulling on Lead rope Use your Arms to boost Her Up and into Trailer, you may need to give Her a Loud but not hard smack on the Rump as You Tell Her to load Up and pulling the Lead Rope.. It may take time and can be frustrating but Each time she gets away without having to load the harder the next time will Be, so even if You run out of time to go where you want to take Her Make Her load Up anyways to show Her You are the Boss.. Good Luck, let Me know how she does.

Answer 7

I had a b of a horse that nearly killed us when we'd try butt ropes on her - legs would go flying!! So we tried a twitch on her - not sure where you're from so if they're called something different or not - but what it is is a piece of rope at the end of a stick - you twist the rope around the horses muzzle - it doesnt actually hurt the horse - it actually acts like a relaxer - the horse should follow you into the box once this is wrapped around his muzzle - we used this on my mare for a few times - and then shed gradually starting loading without the need for it. Best of luck

Answer 8

You know what we do when our young horses refuse to load. Lots of ACE and they get pushed right on and a excellent loading chute that they can only go forward in.

Answer 9

Horses have incredible memories, especially when bad stuff happens to them. Your horse must trust you as his "leader" before he will get into the trailer. Having a very open, well-lit trailer helps a ton. A stock trailer would be ideal, because horses are naturally claustrophobic. Going into enclosed areas in the wild might mean becming dinner to a mountain lion. So they really prefer the great wide open.

However, you can establish yourself as the leader with this horse and have great success with trailer loading. Begin with your horse on a leadline, ask him to walk beside you and back him up crisply a few times, making sure to have his full attention and respect. Then lead him to the open trailer and ask him to put one foot on the ramp/step up, but no more. Then back him up like you mean business, and repeat the process. This may take a few different sessions. Always end on a good note. Eventually your horse will gladly follow you inside, because he trusts you as his "herd leader".

Never, ever lose patience and begin striking the horse, or yelling. This will not help at all. Even though at this point your horse has succeeded in buffaloing his way out of his responsibility, you CAN change his attitude. Horses generally want to please their "people" and they are quite forgiving.

There are also some good videos out there on trailer loading by Clinton Anderson, etc. Best of luck and keep with it!

Answer 10

start trying to feed him in the trailer slowly he will figure out if he wants his feed he needs to get in.He'll get used to the sounds of the trailer and smells of it.I wouldn't push him to do something he is scared or uncomfortable with.He needs you trust just like you need to trust him.I did this w/one of my horses but I used a big stock trailer then whem he was used to that a smaller one, then the smaller 2 horse straight load trailer.He is now used to anything and will follow me anywhere.I quit feeding him in it after he got used to it so he wouldn't expect feed everytime.

Answer 11

I heard for horses that are scared of something, that you get them to take a few steps towards it, stop then,, take another step towards it, stop him and keep going forward a few times untill his curiosity takes over and her will want to go investigate, but you still only take im steps at a time. If you can get him to even just put his nose on it reward him and walk away. It will take a while to be able to just walk in