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HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Behavior and Training » Trailer Loading a Horse » Unloading Questions » |
Discussion on Refuses to Unload Off Trailer | |
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 5, 2000 - 10:31 pm: I have a yearling stallion that I've been hauling and showing halter since he was 6 months old. He is great at loading and trailering, never acts up in the trailer at all and will stand quietly. My problem is he refuses to unload. I have even loaded him on the trailer and sat his food outside and he would go all day without eating because he wouldn't get off. I've tried backing him, he rears up and hits his head and I've tried walking him off. I would butt-roped him and that created a dangerous situation. We eventually hooked arms and would drag him off. I can't get in the trailer with him anymore, he's gotten too big. I have a 3 horse slant load with a cattle typed swing back door. Show season is about to start and I'm don't know what to do. Please, anyone that can help, please write.Lisa |
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Posted on Monday, Mar 6, 2000 - 8:09 am: Hello Dan4th,I think I would start this way, Dan. Since he will load well just let him put one foot up in the trailer, then back. Repeat until comfortable. Next just two feet, repeat until comfortable. Next two feet and a half step into the trailer..... I think you get the idea. I suspect he is afraid of the step off so if you can back to a hill that will lessen the DrOp for the lessons that would be a plus. DrO |
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Posted on Monday, Mar 6, 2000 - 1:10 pm: Hi Lisa, I had a tiny problem with unloading my horses from a three-horse slant load until a trainer pointed out MY error. I was just standing too close. (I was on the ground, but standing in the area of the opening.) Things changed when I tied a knot in the end of the leaDrOpe and stepped as far away as the lead rope allowed. They still like to look around before they get off, but that's allowed, of course. I assume your horse will turn around and walk up to the opening? Another thing that might be helpful--if you can park your trailer in a fenced area and block it so the floor doesn't wiggle under horsefoot (I put cement blocks under the back door brace, behind and in front of the tires, etc.), you can put a bowl of his favorite treats inside the trailer and let him get in and out by himself, on his own schedule. If you don't have a hill to back up to, you can build (at home) a platform out of sections of railroad ties Put them together with plumbers' tape) and let him practice stepping up and down. Good luck. |
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