| It shouldn't be a surprise that horse trailering often | | | | another strategy-getting the horse to see the trailer as |
| comes with problems. After all, horses are prey | | | | a place of rest and comfort. Implement a new rule |
| animals. That means a horse is always on alert for the | | | | that's going to be enforced during trailer training |
| newest threat and they always want to have multiple | | | | sessions. If the horse is right next to the trailer, he gets |
| escape routes open to them. That's why horse prefer | | | | to rest. Away from the trailer, its time for some work |
| wide open spaces-they can scan the horizon for | | | | (lunging will do). The first time you get near the trailer, |
| threats while plotting their escape should one really | | | | let the horse walk up and smell it. It's OK at that point if |
| come along. | | | | he doesn't step in. Let him smell it and look it over, then |
| With that kind of outlook, imagine how getting in a | | | | walk him away for some more lunging for 2-3 minutes. |
| horse trailer looks. You're asking an animal that likes to | | | | Then approach again. |
| have escape routes available to get into a small, | | | | This time ask him to put a front foot in. Encourage this |
| confined space with only one way in or out. And | | | | by putting some pressure, using a crop or carrot stick. |
| you're asking an animal that likes to scan wide open | | | | Use a "driving game" approach and tap on his back to |
| areas for threats to get in a confined space that could | | | | encourage him to go forward. When he does, take the |
| contain a threat of its own, or at the very least, block | | | | pressure off. At first aim for small goals, asking the |
| the view of what else might be going on. | | | | horse to put one foot at a time. When a goal is met |
| So we can recognize that problems with horse | | | | back the horse out of the trailer and start the process |
| trailering are actually completely natural, but how do | | | | all over again. Go back to lunging for a couple of |
| we deal with them? The key is to approach this | | | | minutes, then walk him back up to the trailer, allow him |
| problem the same way you would with any other | | | | to rest, and ask him to go in once again. |
| horse problem. First and foremost is leadership. You | | | | This is a process of approach and retreat. Right |
| need to be a leader in the mind of your horse | | | | before the horse is going to come unglued, back him |
| otherwise he's not going to be willing to follow you into | | | | out of the trailer. This teaches the horse to stay calm. |
| difficult or stressful situations. | | | | By building his confidence in small increments and |
| It should already be part of your normal routine-but | | | | avoiding the situation where he lets his fear the best of |
| specifically when you're planning on trying to get your | | | | him, we slowly get him used to the idea that the trailer |
| horse in the trailer, take him nearby and run him | | | | is safe and he will just walk right in. |
| through a groundwork routine before asking him to get | | | | Notice we haven't talked about using any treats or |
| in the trailer. Include some backing up, flexing, dropping | | | | placing grain the trailer to coax him in. This approach is |
| the head, basic yields and above all some lunging. | | | | based on being a leader for your horse, not trying to |
| Gradually get the horse closer to the trailer. | | | | bribe him. Using this method will produce longer lasting |
| When you're near the trailer, its time to implement | | | | results. |