hugs
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Post by hugs on Oct 13, 2014 2:52:22 GMT
No problem leading Peaches into the stock trailer. Big problem trying to get out so I thought we'd practice backing out. But the stock trailer doesn't have a ramp so Gerald moved the two horse trailer to where I could use it. Technically we sold it in exchange for a fix-'em-up on a tractor and we're waiting for the tractor to come back. Well that trailer isn't a very good thing to use, yes it has a ramp but it has a center divider in the doorway so even if I can remove the center "wall" in the middle, there is still a bar vertically in the front to block me on one side and Peaches on the other. And since its so small it looks like a cave and Peaches wanted no part of it.
My idea was to get her on the ramp and then back out. If that went well she could go on one side and I'd be on the other. Well we never made it that far. In me trying to get her front feet on the ramp meant I was in the trailer because when I tried it the other way I almost got run over as I couldn't lunge her so that she'd go over it. Tried a tarp first, non issue, so that was no help. I got so frustrated with how difficult it was to manage the fiasco and near rope burns didn't help my mood either. It was just too dangerous. Did I mention frustrating? And of course I took some of that out on Peaches.
Ordinarily I would of been really upset with myself, want to give up horses all together and just sit down and cry. But I know one day of training isn't the whole enchilada. For whatever reason Peaches kept coming back to the trailer, guess she's as screwy as her owner. She did everything else I asked of her even though we were in a part of the "yard" she's only been one time before so she was pretty high energy and then in the middle of everything our neighbor starting shooting off his gun. I think she capriole about 3 ft in the air the first time but became a non-issue after three masses of shots were fired.
Didn't go how I would of wanted it but I learned something, hopefully Peach did too. Next Sunday she's supposed to get trailered to the stables in Isanti. Hope they have a trailer a person can lead a horse into.
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nhg
Junior Member
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Post by nhg on Oct 13, 2014 3:41:51 GMT
Some horses like a ramp but lots hate them. And they'll get into an open stock a lot sooner than a little two horse. You'd take her in which trailer? If it's the stock you could practice backing her out by parking it so there's a little raised part in the ground just behind the door so it's not such a drop. Am I understanding what the issue is?
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hugs
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Post by hugs on Oct 13, 2014 10:58:07 GMT
Kinda understand. Except I'm not trailering her, the stable folks are and I'm guessing they have a bigger trailer but then I don't know for sure. What I do know is that the small dark trailer that I can't lead her into isn't one she wants to go by herself. So I was struggling with standing on one side of the divider and asking her to go into the other. Oh well.
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Oct 13, 2014 11:12:34 GMT
I think most horses are somewhat fearful of backing off a trailer. I worked with Red backing off by doing backing exercises on the ground first. I set up poles for him to back between and used certain verbal cues to help him. After doing that many times, I practiced on and off the trailer in the same way, same verbal cues, same reassuring pats and 'good boy's' when he was practicing on the trailer. I really should practice the same things with Zippy,., altho he loads/unloads well,., the verbal cues are the key to the communication I want with him. JMO  |
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Post by lorddaxter on Oct 13, 2014 12:14:44 GMT
Make sure the ramp is well blocked so it's doesn't bounce or move, that's what puts most horses off, the movement, I do find too though that they prefer no ramp.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Oct 13, 2014 12:43:52 GMT
I would check and see what they are planning on using to haul Peaches. Maybe they have more than one trailer and you could suggest they use the bigger one? If they do have more than one, they may just automatically bring a smaller one since they are only hauling one horse. Call and talk with them.
Not that you have much time to train before the big move but others have given some useful advice to try. I also teach my horses the word "easy". Basically it means for them to slow down and be careful about foot placement. Whether going down a steep embankment on a trail or backing out of a trailer, I think it helps remind them to be careful. Personally though, I let Mister turn around in my stock trailer and walk (ok, jump) out forwards.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Oct 13, 2014 13:29:10 GMT
If it is a stock why does it have a bar in in it? You could tie the center gate open. Can the bar be taken out? I would try loading her with out the ramp. If it has doors at the front open them. Give it a more opened look. If she steps up on to the back of the trailer back her off then repeat a few times them ask for a bit more. A lot of patience also. Have you tried coaxing her with feed as a reward.
My first horse wouldn't go into a trailer so I parked the trailer in his pen. He was curious about it and finally would go into it. After that I would put his feed in there and he would stand in it and eat. Wasn't long after that and he would stand in there tied.
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hugs
Junior Member
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Post by hugs on Oct 14, 2014 1:45:57 GMT
The bar in the middle of the doorway separates the two halves of the trailer. The center partition comes out but not the vertical support in the doorway, that was the bugger. Peaches wasn't upset about the ramp, perhaps not even about going into the trailer but I had to face her and stand on one side and she was supposed to come into the other side. I couldn't lead her in with me facing the same way she was because of that stupid support. Otherwise she would of just walked right up in there. We did some tarp work, we've backed up around road cones, toward a barking dog, while the other horses were running around like idjuts. She'll go anywhere I ask her to... just not on the other side of this trailer. What a mess! But I know more about what kind of trailer I'll buy when the time comes!
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Post by diamondgirl on Oct 14, 2014 3:06:58 GMT
Oh dear, I understand. A trailer with a center post isn't a good match for a horse who wants to be led into a trailer. It might be ok, for a very experienced horse, but not a good match for one who is still, a little unsure about loading. I am sure you have tried everything to convince her it is safe, but she doesn't see it that way. If you watch CA or MR of any other trainers, they make it look so easy. I have no idea how they do it. It seams that an open sock trailer would be the best idea, but you have so much cold weather up there. Could you use a stock trailer every time you needed to go somewhere?
The first thing I was taught when trailering was to work on backing first. Take a few steps toward the trailer, then back up. Keep repeating until you get all the way up to the trailer. Then step one front foot up, then back up. Repeat until all four feet are in and back out of the trailer.
The trouble is you have to work in spurts. If you had every day, I think it would be so much easier for you and Peach.
Hopefully your barn has an open trailer, so it doesn't feel so much like a trap to Peach.
Try to think positive. These people should know what they are doing, and once she is near by, you will have so much more time, to build on your relationship. |
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Oct 14, 2014 12:00:58 GMT
I think an open "sock" trailer would be cozy, not cold, don't you?  Actually we backed up and forward as well as approach and back up several times, no problem, except stepping on the ramp because I couldn't get through to her that she wasn't going to have to go in... Oh Shoot! I just thought of something... I could of shut the top doors so it was clear she wasn't being asked to go in... oh well... I sent a text message to the BOs asking them what kind of trailer they have. If they have a slant it'll work out okay. I have a confession to make, I got frustrated with the situation, not with Peaches because I didn't expect her to be a particular way, I was SO frustrated that I was risking my arm reaching around the center post and near rope burn so many times as she backed away. I was angry that I couldn't figure out a safer way to work this skill. But Peaches couldn't know why I was angry. I did have to be pretty forceful a time or two to protect myself, mostly she's careful of me but I put myself in harms way a couple times because of that stupid bar and I over reacted I suppose but it seemed "life or death" at the time. Not going to try that again. We do have an open "sock" trailer and that's a non-issue. Next weekend she and I are going to go for a walk around the farm checking out the different grasses |
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Oct 14, 2014 12:08:45 GMT
We all have gotten frustrated and/or lost our tempers before when working with and around horses. And yes, sometimes, unfortunately, we take it out on them. I have learned that when I get to that point, it is time to take a deep breath and re-evaluate. And if that doesn't work, we walk away, do something small and end on that. (And then I go inside, through a pillow and cry). But it's ok, things will be ok, and life will go on. It would be different if we were working with a horse who was defiant, but I don't think that is Peaches. She just didn't understand what you wanted. Debating if I should ask what a "sock" trailer is?   |
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Post by lorddaxter on Oct 14, 2014 13:28:23 GMT
Agree with MM, Isis frustrates me, it's prob half the problem, I just don't get him, never have, there is no consistency or reason with him:(
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nhg
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Post by nhg on Oct 14, 2014 14:23:19 GMT
I just wanted to add that while my horse will back out of a trailer, I generally turn him around. I don't like seeing them tentatively feeling with their back feet trying to make sure things are okay to back up. It seems a bit mean. My daughter insists on backing them out of she does it, though.
Chances are that they'll bring a bigger trailer and she'll be fine. Now you know one of the reasons why I hate little straight load two horse trailers. |
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
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Post by mistersmom on Oct 14, 2014 14:35:42 GMT
I just worry when they back out they are going to scrape the fronts of their legs on the trailer bumper. But sometimes you have no choice so it is good to at least know they can.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Oct 14, 2014 15:22:22 GMT
I back mine out of the LQ. I have taught them that when I say right there right there. They know they are at the edge of the trailer. They usually back off without an issue. In my stock if I have 4 slant loaded in it. The one on the back is the one that has to back up. That is usually JR or Reno. My trailers have the rubber bumper so that if they do hit the edge they don't get scraped up..
Now Tony's horse Geno will load fine but he will not back out. He will try to turn around. If you try to ask him to back he may do 2 steps then after that it's a battle. That is where I wish I had a 2h straight load. He wouldn't have any choice but back off. My stock is a 4 horse but the center gate on it was moved up 2 ft. But even with the gate closed he will try and turn around. If you try to keep him straight to back out he then wants to throw his head over top of you. So as long as we can unload him by turning him around he's fine. But he still needs to learn to back out. Sometimes when he refuses he really gets right brained and I have taken a whip and smacked his legs to get him to move them and he locks up. Not my horse and I'm to damn old to be wrestling with him. For what we do we can turn him around.
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Post by horselover4life on Oct 14, 2014 15:54:19 GMT
OK....question.
This trailer you are working with.... Does it not have a escape door?
I know you are supposed to load left side of the trailer if only taking one horse...but if you have a escape door on the right side so it would allow you to walk in, through and out safely...
I am slightly confused why you can't walk in with Peaches following....
I have walked into trailers with mangers {steel ones} and was still able to exit via a escape door.
I get the steel center divider beam, not removable.... but is the actual center divider removable?
Can you just ask to take it out and try it if it comes out.
Then you could walk in, the horse will follow, you can secure her and leave...and then return and take control of the situation of removing the horse.. You may need a extra set of hands to align/guide her so she not get caught going off slowly past that beam.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Oct 14, 2014 22:43:05 GMT
I was teasing Diamond about her typo with the "sock" trailer.
The center divider is removable and yeah, there are escape doors on either side but their over the wheel well so a person has to step way up to get out. I did open those doors on both side just in case.
Turns out the BO has a two horse slant so Peachie can be walked in and turn around and go out that way.
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Post by diamondgirl on Oct 15, 2014 2:07:39 GMT
I understand. I'm Sorry. I think I was in the middle of reading and saying oh dear, when I got called away. I tend to leave my computer on when I go to care for Honey, then when I get back I forgot where I was, and what I wanted to say. Or, I find that Hanna, or Morris have been laying on my keyboard and I don't have a clue what they have been sending. Silly kitties. Right now I am wondering if I could actually sew a sock to keep a trailer cozy in the winter.
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Oct 15, 2014 2:13:44 GMT
I hope everything goes smoothly for you and Peaches. Is she being trailered this coming Sunday (October 19th) or the following Sunday? Either way, I'll be sending good trailer loading/unloading/etc. vibes your way!
Not to hijack your thread, but I have a funny trailer related story to share. Sis loads and unloads like a champ (or at least she did when I bought her. Since I don't own a trailer, she hasn't been asked to get on or off one in 4 years), but she does the funniest thing when it comes time to unload... she backs out of the trailer no problem, but she does it on her tip-toes, on all 4 hooves! She looks like a ballerina! She stays on her tip toes until all 4 feet are out of the trailer and back on solid ground. I don't know how common this is, but I know I've never seen a horse do it before. I wish I had a picture or video of it. It's hilarious!
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Post by diamondgirl on Oct 15, 2014 2:32:14 GMT
You know, not all horse trailers are designed with safety in mind are they. Even the most unflappable horse is still a horse, and can spook. My old BO insisted a horse needed to back out of the trailer, every time. I couldn't understand, why? If a horse can turn around, and prefers to hop out forward, and does it respectfully, then what is the problem. Chief and Stormy will go out of a trailer, both forward, and backward. Diamond,,,,, if I can get her into a trailer, will do the same thing. Really 'if I can get her in." The slant sounds ideal to me. That way Peaches can decide how she wants to start the next chapter in her life. She can face it head on, or back in slowly. I can't wait to hear how you use, what you have learned, to train Miss Peach. Often hearing a practical application of a training method, helps the rest of us, (ok me ) get inspired to get out there and try harder. And the typo lessons can't hurt either. |
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