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Discussion on Walks halfway in then backs out
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Posted on Saturday, Dec 15, 2001 - 9:21 pm:
Dr. O
Can you clarify what to do when the horse walks up the ramp and halfway into the trailer but decides to walk off? He will walk on with a person leading him but once I stand by the side of the trailer and place the lead rope on his neck he then backs off. Should I be more insistant with the whip once he starts backward movement? Would it help to have someone attach a long line to the horses halter and apply gentle resistance as he backs out while I tap him with the whip? It seems to be more of a guidance problem than fear. Another trainer told me to keep the horse backing up if he decides to not go forward with the assumption after awhile they get the idea that if they want to go back then they will go back and going forward might be a better idea. Any suggestions or clarifications would help.
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Posted on Monday, Dec 17, 2001 - 6:50 am:
Yes as he is backing you should be more insistant with the whip, encouraging forward motion and you should continue until he stops going backward.
I am not sure what your trainer means but I think encouraging the horse to go backwards in counterproductive to teaching him you want to go forward.
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Dec 17, 2001 - 10:19 am:
The reason your trainer might be telling you to encourage your horse to go backwards may be because he wants you to make your "back" signal clear to the horse. If you know your horse is going to go backwards anyway, you might as well give him a specific cue so he can learn what the cue for backwards really is.
After backing with the back cue, switch to giving the forward cue and make sure you get some kind of forward motion before you quit the cue and offer praise.
Holly
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