Advice needed please

[HOLCHE]

Does anyone have any tips on how to train a horse to load/unload on a trailer? We parked the trailer in the field yesterday (still hitched), pinned the partition back and ramps open. My mare walked into the trailer but panicked when coming out and leapt down the ramp.

I got her to walk through the trailer several times but trying to stop her rushing out was not easy. Do I just keep doing what I'm doing? It's been suggested that I put the partion back and put the breast bar in and back her out of the trailer.

I tried feeding her in there and she would take a couple of mouthfuls but would then want to come out. I just tried to steady her and allowed her to come out. Was this the right thing to do?

Any tips or advice are welcome. She is a strapping 16.3hh 5 year old mare so obviously want to get this sorted. She will load/unload on a horsebox ok.

 

[Gilbey]

Treat yourself to a horsebox! Patience is what is necessary, you could try another good old schoolmaster in along side, but there is no magic formula. Seriously though at her size I would consider a horsebox if she is happy in that.

 

[ossy]

When doing trailer loading I always start by teaching them to go in and reverse out first before teaching them to walk through. I find that teaching them to walk through then trying to get them to stand inside without wanting to just do the walk through it a bit confusing to them, as all they want to do is what they have learned and that is walk through which is why I think they then panic a bit. But you need to keep mixing it up as you don't want them to learn to just back out as soon as they are in either. So keep it mixed up so your horse is waiting for your instruction as to what to do next not what he thinks he should be doing, try reversing out, mixed with a few walk throughs, then a go in bit of feed then a reverse out ect and I'm sure with a bit of practice he will be fine, but sometimes horses just prefer a particular mode of transport.

 

[Bosworth]

I agree with reversing out. I have a front/rear trailer but my front ramp still has its plastic on after 4 years. i never use it - all mine are taught to reverse out on command and i stand alongside the ramp at the back and catch up the rope. Most horses, coming out forwards, rush off, but coming off backwards having been trained to command come off steadily.

You need to teach her to back on command, and only on command. If she starts to reverse without you asking then force her back, make out it is your idea. Then ask her to come forwards again. Each time move slightly further forwards before you back her out, but try and back her before she thinks about it. I managed to get my confirmed non loader to load by this method over 1 weekend. I never reward for half a job, they don't get treats until they are standing in the trailer with the back bar up. He now loads himself, I just walk him up to the trailer and he pops on and I put the back bar up.