This morning, my OH asked me what was on our agenda today. I wasn't sure. He said that if we wanted to work on Chance loading in the trailer, we better get it done before it started raining. Whaaatt? Seriously OH? He is such a great guy for pushing me into high gear and getting it done. I was going to start trailer training next week, so my sister could come up and help. But my OH really wanted to start now. So we went out and hooked up the trailer. I was planning on doing the trailer training in our field next to our house. It is not fenced though and I was a little worried about that. So we decided to back the horse trailer all the way up the long run, which is the turnout paddock in between my horses pasture and my sister's horses pasture. That way we could shut the gates at each end and if we had a problem and Chance got away from me, she couldn't go far. Not like I was anticipating a big problem, but you always have to be prepared. You just never know, especially with a horse (baby) that hasn't been in a trailer since she was 6 months old, and that was an experience in itself, getting her in a trailer when she had barely been handled by a human!
I have a 3 horse slant trailer, and I shut the first divider. I filled a hay bag with hay and put it in the middle stall and made sure the other divider was secured open. I opened all the drop down windows to let more light into the trailer, but left the bars shut for safety purposes. Once I backed the trailer up into the long run, and made sure we were on flat ground, I opened up both rear trailer doors. Everything was ready to go. I went and haltered Chance, put on her boots and we were ready to start trailer loading training. My OH was the photographer and took all of the pictures you are about to see.
We walked up to the trailer. She stopped about 5 feet from the trailer and Chance was on total alert. I did not force her to go any further. I wanted her to relax and see this as a good experience, also that the trailer was not going to get her and that using excessive force would only cause more problems. I was not in a hurry.
Chance took a couple steps forward on her own. She was curious about the empty box in front of her.
Between the green grass at her feet and the little bit of leftover hay from my trip on the trailer floor, she stepped forward again. She started to nibble on the leftover hay. I praised her and just let her take her time and relax some more.
Yes, silly Mustang, you will go into the box, and you will love every minute of it!
Before this next picture was taken, I was still standing outside of the trailer, when Chance put a foot into the trailer, all on her own. Once she put a foot in, she back out, turned around and trotted the other direction. I got her under control, let her stand for a second and walked her back up to the trailer. She again, put a foot in, then the other foot, she felt the trailer move and turned and ran away. I again got her under control, walked her back up to the trailer and each time I did this, she became more relaxed and less fearful, although she was never really that fearful of the trailer. By the time I climbed into the trailer, she had already initiated the first steps into the trailer all on her own. I never had to pull her, push her, or use any force whatsoever. So once I got inside of the trailer, she again put a foot in.
Then she put the other foot in. Notice the slack in my lead. I never had to tug on her. I just let her figure it out on her own.
Even if Chance only put her 2 front feet in the trailer and that is all she would have done, I would say that would have been a very successful trailer loading session. But oh no, Chance was not done. She wanted in that big, white box! All of a sudden, she puts a rear foot in, all on her own.
Then the last hind foot came in. Tada! Chance was in the trailer! She wasn't in there for long when she decided that she wanted out, so she spun around and ran out the door. But that is okay. We did it again, and each time she went in with all fours, she stayed in a little longer. I praised her up and down for being such a big girl. I could have stopped there with the training session since it was going so well.
But she found the hay bag with hay, and decided she wanted to eat for a bit. At first she would take a bite, then turn and run out of the trailer. But she would go right back in, and each time she would take more bites of hay before she wanted out. (I was in the trailer with Chance, but I backed out very slowly. I did not want to be in a bad position if Chance decided to turn and run out again.)
She finally decided that being in the trailer wasn't bad at all. She got to eat and I was right there to tell her that she was fine and a good girl. At this point, she would have probably stayed in there and finished off that flake of hay. But I wanted to end this lesson on a good note, by getting her out of the trailer on my terms, not hers.
I went into the trailer with her to slide her butt over to the right, so I could turn her around and walk her out (I will eventually teach her to back out of the trailer, but for now I want her to be comfortable with the trailer and felt walking her out in the forward position was best) her butt hit the divider on the other side and it spooked her, so she came flying out of the trailer. I told my OH that I wanted to do it one more time. I knew that she could walk out of the trailer calmly.
Chance looks like a little pony in the trailer!
I led Chance back into the trailer, and as she went to eating hay, my OH went and took the above picture from the outside and I just petted Chance and told her she was a good girl. She was so relaxed. I then moved her butt over without hitting the divider and we turned around, we whoa'd and waited before we jumped out of the trailer. Here we are before the big exit.
Now this is what I call a very successful trailer loading training session! I never shut the other divider, nor did I tie her in the trailer. This lesson was all about Chance getting into the trailer and being relaxed in there. Tomorrow we will have another lesson, and if all goes well, I might shut the divider. We will see. Next weekend Chance will go on her first drive in the trailer, a short drive through my neighborhood. I haven't decided yet, but I might put Brandy in the trailer with Chance for her first "drive" while being tied and with the divider's shut. I think it will help keep her calm. Brandy is a good hauler and I think she would be the best one to do this with Chance.
I know a lot of people take a much different approach to get their horses to load for the very first time, shut them in and take off down the road. We do that at work. But I want to do things slowly and not rush anything. I have never had a horse that won't load (except when Fritzy had some issue's about being up on the wall of the trailer) and I don't want to have any problems in the future. I have all the time in the world, so I will take my time and hopefully this silly Mustang will never give me any problems trailer loading!
28 comments:
Taking your time always seems to pay off with horses. I now have two wonderful loaders. (and unloaders, which was an issue for a while.)
Chance is just adorable and the tryst she has in ou is lovely!
Very nice! She's a smart and curious girl! You're right to take your time - no reason not to and the results will be better, I think.
GReat lesson - patience and kindness and persistance!
:-)
BB
Paint Girl - You are one smart horsewoman!!!! Your Chance is going to be the best Mustang in the world because you are patient and careful with her. This "project" of training her has been positive from the beginning. She knows no unfair treatment. Hooray for you. Chance is going to be willing to try new things with you as her guide because you aren't hurrying her. What a great post!
You have a good handle on this filly , so doing it the way you want makes sense . Seems like it went very well
Sounds like you did a perfect job with her! I wish everyone would take more time with trailer loading. It is really worth it in the long run! Congratulations!
I'm a firm believer in taking your time, if you can. I know some trainers are on a tighter schedule and have found ways to speed it up--but I'm like you, I have all the time in the world and would rather have a relaxed horse for life. This was a GREAT tutorial (thank you!) because I'm working on the exact same thing with Beautiful. I have a question--and maybe I missed soemthing--but why did you close the first divider?
Yeah I usually just load them in and shut the door. Then again my horses have all been tied and know pulling back doesn't get them loose and our trailers have all been stock trailers so no problem loading there.
Linda~ I closed the first divider for a couple reasons. First, because my Paint can't be loaded up on the wall, she will freak out because she can't spread her legs out for balance, so I decided I would train Chance right now in the middle, and eventually put her on the wall when she is more relaxed. Second, with the divider closed, when Chance loaded for the first time, she didn't have as far to go, and as far to "escape" and run out if she needed to, which she did.
A lot of what I do with my horses is very overly cautious, a lot of people question me and my methods because I am so cautious, but I'd rather be cautious then hurry something and have something bad happen. I hope Beautiful is doing well with her trailer training.
It looks like it went very well!! Great pictures. I think Chance would follow YOU anywhere, even into a strange big box! :) Now the hauling part, that will be more interesting, as she is tied and the trailer moves and turns. I think Brandy being there the first few times will help stable and calm her.
p.s. who backed the trailer up the middle? Goodness, that was a good backing job- it's hard to go straight up hill in a narrow space for so long! I bet the other horses were very curious as to what was going on! :-)
PONY GIRL
Pony Girl~ If you were paying attention to the story, you would have seen that I said "Once I backed the trailer into the long run...." Ha Ha, anyways, yes I backed the trailer up the long run, it is very narrow and is not easy getting over the bridge, around the corner and up the run, but it had to be done. I have more patience then my OH to get it done, plus I want all the experience I can get backing the trailer. I think it took me longer to get the trailer backed up into position then it did for Chance to hop into the trailer, all on her own!
That little Mustang filly of yours is one smart cookie. Very sensible, too. I've read and seen that many mustangs act like this when prevented with new things. With your patient approach to introducing her to things, and her sensibility, the two of you will go far and be successful.
That last photo made me giggle, though. Looks like her expression is saying, "Umm, you stopped me rght in the middle of my trailer treat. Why are we facing the opposite direction of the hay net, Mom?"
~Lisa
presented.....not prevented. whoops!
~Lisa
Sounds wonderful. Baby steps are how I like to do things too. And preparation and forethought are really key!
She really is a shapey filly, too!
So that's how it's done! I have a 3 horse slant too and always use the middle because I've had horses step on themselves when I put them in the very front. The middle seems to be the best place for them to keep their balance. Now I want to trade it in for a smaller 2 horse slant. Not sure what I'll do then.
I am so impressed! WIll you come and work with the dustbuster!!! HUGS!
It's good to get to work with your own horses every once in a while, and to make decisions on how you want to do it. You are probably privy to both the successes and the mistakes of the trainers in your vicinity. I hope it doesn't start raining too soon.
Once you get them to eat their dinner in a trailer you can't keep them out! LOL That is so exciting that I will get to meet you in Tulsa at the Arabian show! My friend is Carolyn Mock Art from Bartlesville, OK and she has a big booth so you won't have a hard time finding it. When I know what days I will be helping her I will let you know and where it is located in the buildings!
Excellent! Chance is becoming a beautiful young lady.
I have been guilty of having to load and haul my youngsters, but the first time is usually with their mothers so they get the benefit of learning to load with momma. It greatly improves their inclination to get in again the next time.
I also always prefer to haul my youngsters with a confident hauling buddy. I was surprised at how well Beretta hauled by herself when I brought her back to Colorado. But since she had already been hauled back and forth once before, I guess she figured it was 'old hat'. LOL
That went totally awesome!! I don't think you could have asked for better results from that training session!!! I think you are absolutely on the right track with her, taking it easy is the best way! So much more beneficial for her to not be scared of these new adventures!
I'm with you on taking your time doing EVERYTHING.
Good job of backing, Cousin! I like that you said that you had time to take things slowly and do the right thing for the mustang. You know how much pressure and when to put on Chance and that will make all the difference. I can see that she has a great deal of trust in you as she steps into the trailer on her own. OH took some excellent pix. Good team work by the 3 of you. -Cuzk
That Chance is the cutest and most curious little thing! I loved looking at all the photos. I love how interested she was, poking and sniffing her way about the trailer! It looked like a perfectly comfy trailer--with all that hay! What's not to like about it? It's such a good thing to get her over any insecurities now, so you won't be fussing around when the time comes she really needs to be in a trailer! She looks like a fast learner! Congratulations on getting the job done so swiftly and sweetly! Chance gets an A+!!! (I also liked seeing the goats milling around in the background.)
wonderful photo documentary - please say thank you for me to your OH.
it seems like everything you do with her, it's easy. longing for the first time, loading, leading, everything is so simple for chance.
i'm totally inexperienced with babies and would never wish to have one (nor a puppy!) but chance makes it look tempting. it's your guidance too, you make doing the right thing so easy for her, i think.
and she is so pretty lately, and glowing with health.
you have much to look forward to!
thanks for sharing it,
~lytha in germany
Paint Girl I'm really impressed with how you have handled Chance in all her training, but THIS went especially well! She is so smart. But it's so obvious how much trust she has in you! This was an awesome post!
Very Impressive!! Must be all that great training you have been giving her all along that helped make this easy for her. The first trailer loading can be a real trying experience...so glad it went this smoothly! I was expecting a quite different story!
You did an excellent job and the pictures are great. Compliments to the photographer. Thanks for sharing a good example of patience and letting the horse figure out the trailer is a safe place.
Wow! Such a good little mustang!!! I totally agree that that is the BEST way to start out the trailer loading thing. Taking your time and having some patience now will pay off big time in the future! My new horse had only been slammed in the trailer and hauled off when I got her and while she did load up pretty drama free when I picked her up, she has now developed some loading problems and I've having to go back and load quietly and without fuss, unload, load, unload, load, unload. Luckily she is the most level headed horse we have so she doesn't freak out at all once she's in, and she's way tiny so we have room to work in the trailer, she just has some anxiety about going in and launches out.
Chance is such a cool little mustang! How tall is she now? And how old?
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