Horse Trailering?

Question

I got the hard task of getting my horse to go into the trailer done and she's fine. But she gets nervous and jumpy when I try to get her to back out. She wont do it. She will turn herself around and bolt out of the trailer. With the trailer I'm using, it's not a big deal with her being the only one in it. However, if we need to partition it off to put other horses in there, it's going to be a problem. I just got her to start going into a trailer, last night, so sectioning it off already I think may make her not want to go in already. I'd like to be able to leave it open and free but get her to back out. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

My horses used to have the same problem mainly because they know they are going to have to step down but didnt know when. one of the things i did was worked with them backing on the ground. I made sure they backed well and stopped easily. then i started backing them off of things. first i started at the barn entrance where there was just a tiny drop off. once they got that i moved to i little bit bigger ledge about same height as the trailer drop off. after practicing this they calmed down and were much less anxious in the trailer. even after all that my sisters horse still had a hard time and would fly out backward the second the door opened. fortunately he didn't have any trouble going on so everytime he rushed off we made him go right back in. finally he got tired of it and got to the point where he would take it one step at a time and would stop once he got his back legs off. I think you just need lots of practice. practice backing her up a step in the trailer then making her immediately come forward. sometimes they get so anxious that they don't pay attention to you, so ask her to do things that she has to focus on instead of worrying about how fast she can get out of there. It took us hours and hours of practice time but eventually our horses learned that it wasn't such a big deal and are now awesome at it. good luck

Answer 2

I agree with the top answer. ^^

Also, you can try to have some friends beside your horse when she unloads. One of each side, just to place a hand on her hind quarters, like they're making a wall. The problem might be that she doesn't know where she's going, if the trailer has a ramp. Using your friends or you family to help guide her down may make her less anxious. Also, it might actually help if your mare has help. You can put a gelding, or an older, gentle horse in there and lead him in and out of the trailer. Your mare may realize that it's alright to be in the trailer.

Good luck!

Answer 3

i would go with the first answer

Answer 4

My horse had the same issue - great on and awful off. What is going on is she has anxiety about coming off the trailer because she isn't comfortable being on.

Try making the trailer the "safe" or comfortable place by lunging her near the trailer, working her hard outside the trailer , then letting her rest while she's on.

Don't hitch her, just let her stand there and if she comes off hard and fast when you ask her to back or before you ask her to back off, then work her some more (lots of circles & changes in direction).

Again, let her rest when she's standing nice on the trailer and if she comes out before you ask, then work her outside the trailer more. Eventually she'll learn that the trailer is the place to get away from work and that coming off hard doesn't get her anywhere. When she backs off nicely 2 or 3 times in a row, stop, tie her up in her stall for an hour or so, then do the whole thing again. After two or three times, she'll never run off the trailer again.

Answer 5

My horse almost always turns around to go out head first. He just gets weirded out when he tries to put his feet down and there is no ground. If you have a ramp that might help.

The one thing, don't take things too fast with her. If she is getting in and being calm, good. You can work on the unloading slowly. Be sure to make it all a pleasant experience and reward her and tell her she is a good girl. If she likes going out head first so she can see like my horse, and it isn't a problem yet, why force her to change? Thats just my thoughts. As long as my horse gets out happy, safely and quietly.

Answer 6

Repetition and experience is the way to get started.  When your horse bolts from the trailer, that's OK, just reload her and start again.  What also works is to take her off before she bolts making it your idea.  Whatever you find to be the best way -  practice and patience.

BTW, be sure your trailer is hooked up to your truck before you start to train her - you could turn a training lesson into a disaster if the trailer tips while you are loading her.

Answer 7

Carrie M

Says it great, what I also do (john lyons) is start by working on the ground first with whoa, wait, and back.  I think a mix between the two would help.  Best of luck it'll happen  you just need time, practice and lots of patients.

Answer 8

Lots of practice...keep loading and unloading her until she's comfortable getting in and out, including backing out. Wait until she calmly backs out before putting the partition into the trailer. If possible, keep the partition wide and slowly decrease it till is in the normal position.