2007-02-27 12:35:15 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
i have 6 year old gelding. he is very scared of a trailor. whenn we went to take him to my place he triped and rolled out of the trailor. now he is even more terrified.
2007-02-28 07:46:25 · update #1
With my foals I train them with lots of snacks. I take them to the ramp and place one foot on the ramp (or into if a step up). When they leave their hoof on the ramp they get a carrot. This takes extreme patience since it may take several days to actually get them into the trailer. Once they get in lots of praising, and feed them lots of oats or grain. Your horse will learn to associate the trailer with snacks and oats. After a few days of eating in the trailer, go ahead and close them in, it will be a piece of cake!
2007-02-27 12:41:49 · answer #1 · answered by dressage.rider 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Treats and a lot of time. But never severly punish your horse for not going to a float ( I dunno if you call it a trailer or whatever), they just become much more scared of it. I've even seen a horse get so stressed it broke 2 halters, 1 leadrope and 1 bridle. Becuase it was just a single float, it was being lead and he started running out and pushed around the corner, making the float almost completely fall ontop of him with the person leading in it ( they broke theyre wrist and one rib) and the horse got stuck and they couldnt move him, so he had to get put down. I wasnt invovled and I dont really know the circumstances but what they were, i doubt it was worth all of this pain. I've also seen a previously abused horse take 3 weeks to get on the ramp on a float. And in the first time they kicked off 3 shoes.. -_-.. If you know your horse does load and they are just being naughty normally a growl and a smack will make them realise your serious. And once they do walk on lots of praise!! and make sure you drive nice and slow, because if their trip is horrible of course they wont want to go back on!..
2007-02-27 18:47:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Work with your horse, using treats and an encouraging voice. Pick up their hooves and place them in the trailer, then praise them. It's easier to start with younger horses, obviously, but sometimes you take what you can get, you know? Something we've used on more belligerant colts is a rump rope. One of us will be in the trailer holding the lead line and encouraging the horse, while the other person has a rope that's been tied to the side of the trailer, fed through the gap between the trailer door and the side, and around the bar in the middle. Inside person encourages the horse to come in, while the outside person slowly takes in the slack, putting pressure on the horse's rump to get him/her into the trailer. It's a very humane way that has worked for all our horses.
2007-02-27 13:58:00 · answer #3 · answered by hockey_gal9 *Biggest Stars fan!* 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Everyone's brought up good points, especially with NOT punishing him for not going in, that would only convince him that the trailer is out to get him. Be careful if you do the treats thing, because he could quickly figure out that you HAVE to give him treats, and if he doesn't see any, then he won't load.
You might want to watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGsOV_eOYXk its of Monty Roberts, the horse whisperer, if you haven't heard of him, go to the library and read his book, you'll learn stuff you never thought you could about horses.
2007-02-28 12:33:18 · answer #4 · answered by greydrakkon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
without force! if you show an opened trailer to your horse on his terms he will eventually enter. first teach your horse to go where you want him to by walking him on a lead, never mind, just go to natural horsemanship.com and read,read,read . i have messed with horses for 30 years and the very best way is the natural way!
look at Pat Parelli, Chris Cox, Clinton Anderson, go to their web sites you will be amazed at what you learn.
2007-02-27 15:08:24 · answer #5 · answered by michaela w 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bribery works! Shake the grain and be patient. Forcing him will usually end up in disaster. My old gelding used to go in and out of one on his own, he loved making the noise and showing off.
2007-02-27 12:41:53 · answer #6 · answered by Ayla B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, with my mare, I usaually open up the trailer, put the lead line over her neck walk her up to the trailer and let go. ;-)
But with horses that are reluctant, you have to be very patient. Teach them to load BEFORE you need to go somewhere, and open up everything to let alot of light in.
2007-02-27 13:23:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
park the trailer in the pasture, open door and put there only food and water sources in the trail, eventually they will get hungry or thirsty enough that they will go in. i promise this wont kill your horse, they will go in to eat or dink, just continue doing this until they will lead in.
2007-02-27 15:52:34 · answer #8 · answered by walker 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my horse HATED trailers, so....
i put my horse trailer in his pen and all his feed and oats were in there, so eventually he had to go in to eat!!! he went hungry for about 3 days but he eventually gave in...
horses arent dumb, they know where the food is ;)
make sure when he goes in you pet him alot!!! and give him plenty of oats in there so that it becomes and enjoyable experience....
haha my horse is very protective of his little "house" now....
good luck!
2007-02-27 15:16:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋