Advice needed please! - unloading

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mr.tigs

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My horse is a dream to load onto my ifor trailer, but as soon as we pull up at a show, and take down the front ramp he turns really tense and stressed, i try my best to keep him calm, and talk softly to him but it makes no difference, i then undo the front bar and my helper pulls over the partion whilst my horse either - leaps, completly misses, or goes generally madly down the ramp. I stand to the side of the ramp and just try to guide him down but i really just have to hold on to him!

Its becoming really bad, as soon as he is off of the trailer he is really calm, but people look at you as though you have a wild horse!

Does anyone have any tips or advice for me?

Thanks in advance :)
 
Is it likely at some point he's caught himself up or similar whilst unloading in the past? I'd try practicing it at home, for starters maybe just opening the ramp & giving him a carrot & a pat, once he's calm at that stage move to the next etc.
 
Does he back up if you ask him to? If not, practice in hand before you ask him to reverse out of the trailer. Once he can do this easily in hand it shouldn't be a problem to reverse out of the trailer too.

The front ramps on Ifors are pretty narrow, and I think a lot of horses rush down them because they're not sure they will fit. Then they knock and/or frighten themselves, which proves their point to themselves.

Also, try not to be nervous. Plenty of preparation, and keep calm. If you are nervous your horse will pick up on it. Good luck!
 
sychnant said:
Does he back up if you ask him to? If not, practice in hand before you ask him to reverse out of the trailer. Once he can do this easily in hand it shouldn't be a problem to reverse out of the trailer too.

The front ramps on Ifors are pretty narrow, and I think a lot of horses rush down them because they're not sure they will fit. Then they knock and/or frighten themselves, which proves their point to themselves.

Also, try not to be nervous. Plenty of preparation, and keep calm. If you are nervous your horse will pick up on it. Good luck!
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Yes i think that is his problem, because he rushes he does end up banging himself on the side, will give backing out a go at home first, thank-you x
 
My friend's horse did this in her right hand front unload ifor trailer. She traded it for a left hand front unload and as he had more room he was much calmer. My big mare cannot unload on right hand front ramps as the turn is too tight so I have a Wessex Olympian to give her more unloading space.
 
I would just back him down the rear ramp. Ours struggle to unload from the front, ponies tend to be ok but the horses are just too big really to do so comfortably. I prefer to reverse out anyway because it is how I always unloaded in the 'old days' before front load trailers.
 
A bit of clicker training at home perhaps? One step down the ramp, click, treat, and so on. You might have to start initially teaching him the basics of it just on the ground at first..but worth a thought?
 
Mine is the same! (you are not alone).
What helps, (nothing is fool proof) is that at a show I arrive in plenty of time... human rushing = horse rushing, open the top door, and walk away. Go get your number, enter, walk course or whatever, come back and undo the ramp, stay close but get yourself ready, change boots or something. Then go and undo horse, undo breast bar and stand back. I found if you try to restrict them rushing, they fight against it and no one achieves anything. Either have a long rope/line and keep hold of horse , but allow him to unload on his own or get a helper to catch him at the bottom.
I can't reverse mine out for love nor money, I did try and I did practice at home - I can't even get her to reverse back into a stable - I look like a fool trying - mare thinks anyway!
Food and treats have 0 effect for us, but like I said before, each situation is different in a way, you may have better luck! We adapted to the horse, and it may not be 'right' but we're happy.
Good luck.

(ps -we also tried padding out the side of the ramp - mare squashed it (and bent the trailer!! :eek: - we got it fixed!!)
 
We had one that launched...very greedy though and practises unloading with head in bucket of nuts then reduced to a scoop then a few nuts in hand....took about 8 unloads til finally just did with a carrot in hand. Not ideal but better than being leapt upon!
 
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