Training Question:
						

						I have a 7 year old Paint Mare and I have owned her for about

						

						2-1/2 years.  Last year in Sept. we bought two geldings.  Before we bought them, my horse was really good at loading and unloading in my 4 horse straight load trailer.  After we brought the other two horses home, she loaded and unloaded but it was more and more difficult to get her in and out of the trailer.  We got her into the trailer and took her to a trail ride, got her out, went riding, went to load her back in to go home and it took all we had to even get her back into the trailer again.  Now it is almost a year later and she does not load.  She will step her two front feet into the trailer and sniff around and then step right back out.  I have been told not to force them in or bribe them either.  She has gotten in three days ago to the first stall.  I gave her praise and then told her to back out.  I feel as if she woke up one day and said to herself, "I just don't feel like getting into the trailer."  I am at my wits end with trying.
						

						Sincerely,
						

						Tess
						

Hello Tess,

It sounds like you are in a bit of a situation with your horse.  Fortunately, this is something that can be fixed.  Trailer loading – when not going well - can be very frustrating.  The equation for getting it done well is simple, but the application can sometimes be difficult. 

First and foremost, try NOT to make it about the trailer.  The trailer is just where the behavior is the most obvious.  I also look to other places where the horse might have problems:  sending in and out of gates, a stall, puddles of water, etc.  If my horse is having difficulties at any of these areas, not only is it a sign of the true issue, but it is an opportunity to fix the issue as well.

In your situation, it looks like your horse is doing this out of disrespect, rather than fear.  A new herd environment has been created, possibly causing this new behavior.

With this in mind I would address the following issues:

• Herd bound behavior (work her next to her friends, rest her away from them)
• Respect for her halter (forward means forward - not stand or back)
• Respect for your request (practice sending her over challenging obstacles)
• Your feel and timing (be consistent and pay close attention. Sometimes the answer is in doing the opposite of what you think you should do)

It appears that your horse is able to load, but is not sure of her decision.  Your job is to not teach her to load, as much as it is to provide her with a decision making process.  This process is simple:  If she does not want to get into the trailer, then give her another option, until the trailer looks more appealing.

Before I even approach the trailer I would send her in several circles around you, both left and right, at a trot and lope.  Make sure that these circles are balanced and consistent!  Then offer her the trailer... When you pull on the lead to offer her forward, do not release the pressure from the rope until a foot moves forward. If she backs, simply let some rope slide - without releasing the tension - until she moves forward.  This is very important!  Often, people hear me say this, nod their head, and still release the horse at the wrong time.  Pay close attention here.  Forward does not equal back…  When she chooses not to load, don’t try again, simply take her away and work on her circles again.  This doesn’t mean just circle her; this means WORK on fixing her circles e.g. is she on the correct lead? Is she dropping her shoulder? Is she maintaining consistent impulsion?)  Then offer her the trailer again.  Continue this until you notice progress.  Once you get her in, let her come out, and do it several more times. This confirms (for her) that she made the right decision.

I have seen thousands of people in this same predicament. Some people will try to coerce a horse in with words – try not to do this. Set up a plan. Work – Rest, Pressure – Release, Approach – Retreat.  If you have a good foundation on her, she will always go the easy route. If the trailer doesn’t seem easy anymore, make the other things a little less fun for awhile.  The answer is in her feet, and in your timing… 

Your job is not to teach her to load; it is to provide her with a decision making process.  This decision should be black and white, not one with a grey area.  Don’t be afraid to give her the leadership that she needs.  Reward her when she is trying, but don’t be afraid to let her know when she is making the wrong decision - by moving her feet with purpose!

If you need more help, please check our tour schedule at horseteacher.com. We always work on trailer loading at the clinics (along with many other things).

Overcoming Trail Obstacles By Steve Rother

NW Rider Magazine May 2008

You are out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon trail ride with your trusty horse. The soft rays of the sun are drifting down through the trees. There is a slight breeze in the air that lifts up the soft scents of the forest. As the trail winds down a small hill and around the bend, things begin to change. Your horse’s energy begins to rise and your grip on the rein begins to increase, in anticipation for what is to come. Then all of the sudden, for no reason at all, your trusty stead is not so trusty anymore. The slight breeze is now a sudden burst of wind as your horse jumps off the side of the trail. Grabbing for a pile of reins and mane, you soon recover, and get back on your way. However, this is short lived. As you approach your next trail obstacle, you are once again faced with a sudden burst of wind - this time from your horse doing a quick 180 degree turn in an attempt to avoid the water. From here, things go from bad to worse. Your horse won’t stop jigging and any attempt to calm him down is useless. Fortunately, the ride is almost over. After a quick 30 minute trailer loading session, you are on your way home, from yet another calm pleasant trail riding experience.

For many of us, all or part of this scenario is all too familiar. We are able to get the horse out onto the trail, but it does not always go as planned. This can make us frustrated, confused, and sometimes scared. So let’s talk about some options…

KEEP YOUR HORSE FOCUSED:

Focus! I don’t mean focusing on the deer or on the water, but focusing on controlling your horse’s feet and mind. This is a simple thing to say, but not always a simple thing to do .If you are lacking control of your horse at obstacles or scary objects, you are probably lacking control in the first place. Most people are fairly content with a horse that walks, trots, backs a little, and maybe even side passes. However, in order to have control at an object you need more than good control – you need great control. Can you side pass your horse at a trot and a canter? Can you back your horse in a figure eight pattern? Can you lope them for five minutes without slowing down, speeding up, changing direction, or changing the size of your circle? When you are faced with something that your horse may not have confidence in, they will look to you for guidance. If you can’t provide much more than just trying to slow them down, petting them, and even circling a little - then you may not have the partnership necessary to face many trail obstacles.

KEEP YOUR HORSEMANSHIP FOCUSED.

While riding your horse down the trail are you practicing your horsemanship that you have practice at home? All too often we get in the habit of letting things come to us, instead of us going to them. What I mean by this is: sometimes we may be riding along, then all of the sudden our horse might spook. We then gather the reins and try to get control. It should be the other way around - you need to be sure that you have control of your horse, before they spook. Doing it this way means they often won’t even bother with spooking. Rather than meandering down the trail on a loose rein for very long periods of time, try picking up on the reins from time to time. Ask your horse to side pass from side to side, do a couple of circles, and speed up to a fast trot, then down to a slow walk. Then up to a slow trot, turn your horse around and back down the trail for 50ft. Once you have done this, continue on a loose rein at walk for a while. This way you will be ready for things that may come your way. Why? Because you have control of your horse’s mind and feet.

CROSSING OBSTACLES:

There is nothing quite as frustrating as a horse that won’t cross over a bridge, creek, or even a small log on a trail. Many times this simply boils down to your horse not trusting your request at that moment. What can be very helpful is taking the time at home to improve your horse’s obstacle ability. It is amazing what you can create at home with a little creativity. Tarps, barrels, ground poles, water, streamers, and a shovel can go a long ways in making a very creative home-made course. The key is to get out there and have fun with some challenging - but not impossible - obstacles that will allow you and your horse to work outside of your comfort zone in a safe environment. I wish I had a nickel for every person that said: “what if you are out there on those trails that are straight up on one side and straight down on another. What do you do then?” I simply tell them: “If you horse is truly that bad, then you shouldn’t be out there in the first place. If you have truly done your homework, then just trust your horse and go for the ride.” The key is being ready before you get there. However, if it truly gets that bad, just get off and deal with it on the ground.

PREPARE YOUR HORSE

Often, before we go out on a trail ride, we have a tendency not to warm our horses up properly. The purpose of your warm up is not just for the physical aspects, but the mental, as well. Sometimes this may mean getting your undependable trail horse out on Thursday and Friday, in preparation for your Saturday trail ride. During these warm ups, take the time to not just ride your horse, but to test them out as well. Put them into situations that you might find out on the trail. Test their emergency stops out, spook them and see how they handle it. Ride them straight through puddles at a walk, trot, and canter. Try backing through and over ground poles. Expose them to dogs, llamas, goats, etc… Get creative! I always advise trying these warm-ups from the ground first, before attempting them under saddle.

USE TRAILER LOADING AS A WARM-UP

We can learn a lot about our horses when we put them into awkward situations around a familiar object. Before you go out on your ride, do a quick mental check with your horse at the trailer. Try standing 20ft from the trailer and sending them into the trailer at a trot. If you can do something like this, you will be riding a much better partner than a horse that NEEDS you to lead them in every time. Sending them in from this far away may take a couple of sessions, but it will be time well spent. It is not just about skills that your horse will learn, but also ones that you will learn (while you are teaching them).

BE SAFE AND HAVE FUN

At the end of the day it is about being prepared ahead of time for situations that may arrive. Many trail riding hazards are very avoidable if you can simply make a plan before you go for your ride. Learn from your past experiences, test out your horse, and make a plan that will fit you both. The most important thing is that you and your horse are safe and having fun. My newly released Ultimate Water Crossing DVD breaks down the steps needed to cross many common trail obstacles. So get out there, get creative, and enjoy a great year of trail riding with your equine partner!

http://nwrider.com/

hthttp://nwrider.com/