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Discussion on Trailer UNloading problem | |
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 21, 1999 - 7:41 pm: We have two ponies that load fine into our two horse bumper pull trailer. But when we need to unload them they will bolt off the trailer. Sometimes going under the butt bar, and injuring themselves in the process. We have tried taking down the butt bar before DrOpping the gate, but then they lean on the gate before it comes down.We have practiced going on and off the trailer, and after about 5 or 6 times they start to walk off. Except they seem to forget their "training" the next time we unload. We have tried coaxing with grain and alfalfa but it only works the first time. Please Help! |
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 22, 1999 - 11:40 am: What I have found is retraining them to load completly, this may take many hours of reppititon. Start by asking them to load one foot in the trailer, to stand with one foot in the trailer, then to UNload one foot out of the trailer on command ( I personally prefer a touch for a que so not to confuse another horse in the trailer who might think it is his turn to backout.) Once you get that down SOLID, this may take hundreds of repititons. Then you ask then to load 2 feet, to stand in the trailer with 2 feet, and then to UNload 2 feet on que. So on, and so on. This method of retraining them is not a Quick Fix, but if you devote the time to the calm repition of consistant ques they WILL relearn a safer behavior. This has work exceptionally well for me with horses that have the very same problem, you just need to invest time, but the pay off is a safer horse. This can be read about in Lyon's on Horses, I learned the mothod from one of John Lyons symposiums and have been using it ever since with excellent success. Good Luck, thats my 2 cents.... |
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 23, 1999 - 4:46 am: Hello William,I think Emily's idea is good. Concerning rushing the butt bar, I would always stand behind them, well not directly behind them, with a dressage crop while unloading. If they rush the butt bar I would give them smart taps with the crop until they relented and went back to standing quietly. I would also do this (sounds like a 2 person job) if they rushed the butt bar while I was fumbling with the fittings. Make them stand quietly until you ask them to move. It is too dangerous to let them continue this. Perhaps addressing this initial, "Oh boy let's get out of here attitude" will fix the rate at which they de-trailer (just made up that word). If not I would tap them on the butt as they are backing out, just light enough to slow them down but not hard enough to make them go forward. It will take practice but these guys sound trainable. Food rewards have no place in teaching horses NOT to misbehave, you invariably end up rewarding bad behavior when you try it. Food rewards always should be presented when the horse is acting right. |
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 23, 1999 - 2:13 pm: Now that is the godspell Dr O (about the food rewards)! Well said and an important point that people quickly forget.... |
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Posted on Friday, Sep 24, 1999 - 10:19 am: Thank you all very much for the advice. The situation is indeed beginning to get dangerous. We were trying the grain as a way to keep him distracted long enough to get the door down safely as he was beginning to push it down as soon as it was unlatched.We will begin "training" sessions immediately, with a crop at the back door, and stick with it. I'll use a push on the shoulder to let him know he can back off and we'll see how it goes. I'll check in with a progress report in a few weeks. Thanks again. |
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