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Does your horse have trailer issues?
It shouldn’t be a surprise that horse trailering often comes with problems. After all, horses are prey animals. That means a horse is always on alert for the newest threat and they always want to have multiple escape routes open to them. That’s why horse prefers wide open spaces-they can scan the horizon for threats while plotting their escape should one really come along.
With that kind of outlook, imagine how getting in a horse trailer looks. You’re asking an animal that likes to have escape routes available to get into a small, confined space with only one way in or out. And you’re asking an animal that likes to scan wide open areas for threats to get in a confined space that could contain a threat of its own, or at the very least, block the view of what else might be going on.
So we can recognize that problems with horse trailering are actually completely natural, but how do we deal with them? The key is to approach this problem the same way you would with any other horse problem. First and foremost is leadership. You need to be a leader in the mind of your horse otherwise he’s not going to be willing to follow you into difficult or stressful situations.
It should already be part of your normal routine-but specifically when you’re planning on trying to get your horse in the trailer, take him nearby and run him through a groundwork routine before asking him to get in the trailer. Include some backing up, flexing, dropping the head, basic yields and above all some lunging. Gradually get the horse closer to the trailer.
When you’re near the trailer, it’s time to implement another strategy-getting the horse to see the trailer as a place of rest and comfort. Implement a new rule that’s going to be enforced during trailer training sessions. If the horse is right next to the trailer, he gets to rest. Away from the trailer, it’s time for some work (lunging will do). The first time you get near the trailer, let the horse walk up and smell it. It’s OK at that point if he doesn’t step in. Let him smell it and look it over, then walk him away for some more lunging for 2-3 minutes. Then approach again.
This time ask him to put a front foot in. Encourage this by putting some pressure, using a crop or carrot stick. Use a “driving game” approach and tap on his back to encourage him to go forward. When he does, take the pressure off. At first aim for small goals, asking the horse to put one foot at a time. When a goal is met, back the horse out of the trailer and start the process all over again. Go back to lunging for a couple of minutes, then walk him back up to the trailer, allow him to rest, and ask him to go in once again.
This is a process of approach and retreat. Right before the horse is going to come unglued, back him out of the trailer. This teaches the horse to stay calm. By building his confidence in small increments and avoiding the situation where he lets his fear the best of him, we slowly get him used to the idea that the trailer is safe and he will just walk right in.
Notice we haven’t talked about using any treats or placing grain the trailer to coax him in. This approach is based on being a leader for your horse, not trying to bribe him. Using this method will produce longer lasting results.
David McMahon is a freelance author and horse owner. He invites you to visit http://horse-training-tips.com where you can learn more about horse trailering.
Build a great trail horse
A common goal for all trail riders is to have a peaceful, pleasant ride. This is not always achievable if your horse consistently spooks or bolts from objects. A good trail horse will not come unglued if your hat goes flying off into the wind and will allow his rider to put on (or take off) a slicker.
Building a better trail horse starts at home with slickers and hats!
Step one:
Start on the ground with your horse in hand. Slowly pick up a slicker and shake it lightly. Your horse may quickly move away, perhaps snort, and generally show fear. At this point, quietly move forward and allow your horse to smell the slicker. After your horse feels comfortable, begin to slowly move the slicker over his entire body, starting on the neck.
After your horse feels relaxed with the slicker moving over his body, slowly raise it up above his head. Your horse may show fear again and attempt to back away. Calm his fears by the rubbing the slicker over his body and try again. This area is particularly important as some horses show more fear when objects are raised above their head. Ultimately, you want your horse feel at ease as the slicker is raised up and rubbed around his ears and face.
Repeat these steps using a hat in place of a slicker.
Your horse should stand quietly, without fear as you rub these objects over his body and face.
Step Two:
With your horse still in hand, start to move the slicker outward from his body and shake it lightly. If your horse backs away, allow him to smell the slicker and repeat step one until he stands quality. Each time your horse stands calmly, move the slicker outward and shake it — shake lightly at first and then more vigorously. Now raise the slicker above it his head and shake gently allowing it to touch his face and ears. Repeat this until your horse is becomes relaxed with the movement of the slicker around his head and body.
Next, toss the slicker to the ground so it lands near his feet. If your horse shows fear, once again allow them to smell the slicker, rub it over his body, shake and then toss it again. Continue to the toss the slicker around your horse’s body until they stand quietly.
Repeat these steps using a hat in place of a slicker.
Step Three:
Mounted on your horse with the slicker in hand, very slowly move the it over his neck, sides, and rear. After he stands quietly, move the slicker toward his ears, lean forward and rub them lightly. If your horse shows fear, slowly move the slicker over his body and try again.
Next, slowly put the slicker on and move around in the saddle allowing it to shake. After your horse feels relaxed, slowly remove the slicker and move it over his body.
After you both feel comfortable taking the slicker on and off, lightly toss it to the ground while still mounted in the saddle. Repeat this over and over until your horse is becomes relaxed with the slicker being tossed to the ground at various points around his body. If he moves away, start again by moving the slicker around his body and try again.
Repeat these steps using a hat in place of a slicker.
Desired result:
Your horse should stand quietly at ease while you continually rub, shake and toss a slicker and hat around his body and head. These are important step toward building a trusting relationship and a better trail horse.
Wendy Karolczyk A common goal for all trail riders is to have a peaceful, pleasant ride. This is not always achievable if your horse consistently spooks or bolts from objects. A good trail horse will not come unglued if your hat goes flying off into the wind and will allow his rider to put on (or take off) a slicker.
Building a better trail horse starts at home with slickers and hats!
Step one:
Start on the ground with your horse in hand. Slowly pick up a slicker and shake it lightly. Your horse may quickly move away, perhaps snort, and generally show fear. At this point, quietly move forward and allow your horse to smell the slicker. After your horse feels comfortable, begin to slowly move the slicker over his entire body, starting on the neck.
After your horse feels relaxed with the slicker moving over his body, slowly raise it up above his head. Your horse may show fear again and attempt to back away. Calm his fears by the rubbing the slicker over his body and try again. This area is particularly important as some horses show more fear when objects are raised above their head. Ultimately, you want your horse feel at ease as the slicker is raised up and rubbed around his ears and face.
Repeat these steps using a hat in place of a slicker.
Your horse should stand quietly, without fear as you rub these objects over his body and face.
Step Two:
With your horse still in hand, start to move the slicker outward from his body and shake it lightly. If your horse backs away, allow him to smell the slicker and repeat step one until he stands quality. Each time your horse stands calmly, move the slicker outward and shake it — shake lightly at first and then more vigorously. Now raise the slicker above it his head and shake gently allowing it to touch his face and ears. Repeat this until your horse is becomes relaxed with the movement of the slicker around his head and body.
Next, toss the slicker to the ground so it lands near his feet. If your horse shows fear, once again allow them to smell the slicker, rub it over his body, shake and then toss it again. Continue to the toss the slicker around your horse’s body until they stand quietly.
Repeat these steps using a hat in place of a slicker.
Step Three:
Mounted on your horse with the slicker in hand, very slowly move the it over his neck, sides, and rear. After he stands quietly, move the slicker toward his ears, lean forward and rub them lightly. If your horse shows fear, slowly move the slicker over his body and try again.
Next, slowly put the slicker on and move around in the saddle allowing it to shake. After your horse feels relaxed, slowly remove the slicker and move it over his body.
After you both feel comfortable taking the slicker on and off, lightly toss it to the ground while still mounted in the saddle. Repeat this over and over until your horse is becomes relaxed with the slicker being tossed to the ground at various points around his body. If he moves away, start again by moving the slicker around his body and try again.
Repeat these steps using a hat in place of a slicker.
Desired result:
Your horse should stand quietly at ease while you continually rub, shake and toss a slicker and hat around his body and head. These are important step toward building a trusting relationship and a better trail horse.
Wendy Karolczyk
http://totalhorseresource.com/
I have trained and shown horses in western pleasure, reining, cutting, barrel racing, western riding, jumping and working hunter. My father, a lifelong trainer and breeder, was my mentor and greatest supporter. Our family has raised great champions through the years and sharing my knowledge is now a passion!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_Karolczyk
http://totalhorseresource.com/
I have trained and shown horses in western pleasure, reining, cutting, barrel racing, western riding, jumping and working hunter. My father, a lifelong trainer and breeder, was my mentor and greatest supporter. Our family has raised great champions through the years and sharing my knowledge is now a passion!