Horse rushing when unloading

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Flying_Form

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Hi everyone,

Just want to know if anyone has any tips or tricks for a horse who can rush a bit unloading?

I got her from a dealer and she’s 10 so I’m unsure of her history. Loads completely fine (would load herself), travels well and has absolutely no issues with me leaving her there alone in the trailer while I faff around or compete on the horse she came with. Happy to come out normally and patiently on the front ramp.

Back ramp is the issue - when I open up the back she tends to pull back and push against the bar (not enough of a panic/force to break it - but more of an impatience/leaning thing) and then once I open it she rushes out backwards even if someone is standing at her head holding her rope.

Doesn’t do this on the big lorry (suppose she can’t really!) or 3.5 tonne my friend has.

Honestly just the back ramp and once she’s out she’s totally fine and goes about her business wherever we have brought her. Doesn’t matter what the atmosphere is - a quiet bridleway or a busy competition.

Have no idea if she’s had a bad experience in the past (seems like she may have as it’s the only bit about travelling she doesn’t like - but has no issues with front ramp or loading).

Planning on just loading her in and out constantly at home, maybe leaving the box open in her paddock to explore, putting some food in there, etc… but any other thoughts or ideas welcome.
 
Not sure why if you have a front unload and she is good coming down that would you have to use the back ramp? I know some people use the back ramp because their horse rushes out down the front one so backing them off makes sense in that situation. I am presuming you have a standard front unload forward facing trailer.
It is great that she is happy staying on trailer on her own while you ride another one . So unless there is a reason you need to use the back ramp to unload I would stick with taking her off the front.
 
not being funny but why are you opening the back ramp to unload when you have a front ramp. that's the main reason why trailer companies put front ramps in in the first place many years ago. there were far too many accidents with horses coming of backwards out of trailers.
 
We had a rear load & unload only trailer, and one horse who liked to come off quickly, but always straight and would stop dead at the bottom of the ramp. As thats how he liked to unload, so we just worked around him.

I guess it depends if its just unloading at speed or in 'panicked speed' - if that makes sense?

We did work on, and make sure he'd stand quietly or at least wait breifly after opening the back bar till we said back, then he could shoot off.

So we'd go in the front undo his rope put it over his back, walk round the back lower the ramp, lower bar then say back and stand clear as he shot off. Catch him at the bottom of the ramp or the rope as he came past.

So maybe see if you can improvethae behaviour around lowering the back bar, but then not stress about actually coming off fast, if thats how she prefers to come off backwards?

Just a different thought.
 
Mine did this when I was in a situation when I couldn't use the front unload; she broke the fastening pins.

Don't know why she did it, it isn't like she hasn't unloaded out the back before coz she has on a fairly regular basis, because I make sure that she is just as happy coming out the back as the front.

No explanation as to why she did this, completely random.
 
Hobo2 said:
Not sure why if you have a front unload and she is good coming down that would you have to use the back ramp? I know some people use the back ramp because their horse rushes out down the front one so backing them off makes sense in that situation. I am presuming you have a standard front unload forward facing trailer.
It is great that she is happy staying on trailer on her own while you ride another one . So unless there is a reason you need to use the back ramp to unload I would stick with taking her off the front.
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claret09 said:
not being funny but why are you opening the back ramp to unload when you have a front ramp. that's the main reason why trailer companies put front ramps in in the first place many years ago. there were far too many accidents with horses coming of backwards out of trailers.
Click to expand...
I always use the front ramp but I’m just thinking if there were a situation where we had to load out the back ramp like an emergency or if I were with someone who doesn’t have a front ramp, I don’t want to make a situation any more dangerous.

I’m just one of those people where if a horse exhibits a behaviour that is a bit unusual of their character I like to get to the bottom of it if I can to make mine and their life safer and easier !
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Mine did this when I was in a situation when I couldn't use the front unload; she broke the fastening pins.

Don't know why she did it, it isn't like she hasn't unloaded out the back before coz she has on a fairly regular basis, because I make sure that she is just as happy coming out the back as the front.

No explanation as to why she did this, completely random.
Click to expand...
This is why I’d like her to be a bit more settled and get to the bottom of it to be honest - if I got myself in a situation where she had to unload from the back.

Interesting your horse randomly did it one day - might be the case for this mare too!
 
YourValentine said:
We had a rear load & unload only trailer, and one horse who liked to come off quickly, but always straight and would stop dead at the bottom of the ramp. As thats how he liked to unload, so we just worked around him.

I guess it depends if its just unloading at speed or in 'panicked speed' - if that makes sense?

We did work on, and make sure he'd stand quietly or at least wait breifly after opening the back bar till we said back, then he could shoot off.

So we'd go in the front undo his rope put it over his back, walk round the back lower the ramp, lower bar then say back and stand clear as he shot off. Catch him at the bottom of the ramp or the rope as he came past.

So maybe see if you can improvethae behaviour around lowering the back bar, but then not stress about actually coming off fast, if thats how she prefers to come off backwards?

Just a different thought.
Click to expand...
Yeah she does strike me as a horse that likes to do things at her own pace, might be helpful to practice coming off like that. Thanks ☺️
 
In Australia it is rare to see a straight load trailer with a front ramp and my gedling rushed backwards a lot when he was younger. I got him to stop with licorice. He had to stop with front feet on the ramp for a piece of licorice and then stand at the bottom for the other piece (or carrot, polo etc) works a 'treat', although he makes me feel guilty if i have run out......
 
Firstly I would go for a long ride. Mostly to tire the horse slightly and help it feel a little more comfortable in itself. you will need a helper but I would have a large bucket of treats/feed and feed one or two to check interest levels and anxiety. Open the ramp reward for not pushing backwards. If the horse is pushing backwards don't move the back bars. What you essentially need it to do, is stop putting its weight on the back bars so it's safe to remove them. This is what you train. Not the speed coming out. You need greater relaxation on the backwards and anticipation of coming out. You practice endlessly until it becomes normal. The reward should be given every time the horse stays forwards and doesn't take a step back.
 
Flying_Form said:
This is why I’d like her to be a bit more settled and get to the bottom of it to be honest - if I got myself in a situation where she had to unload from the back.

Interesting your horse randomly did it one day - might be the case for this mare too!
Click to expand...
Yep I've no idea why she did it. It was somewhere she's been loads of time before, no obvious reason.
 
I'd just practice and practice, initially just lead in, pause, and back out. Do it until horse is doing it calmly and carefully. Try backing and stopping on ramp then lead back in. Repeat till it's boring. Then try (with help) putting the back bar up, dropping it, backing out and repeat. Then add in the ramp. If necessary, drive round the block, then unload, then reload, and do it again. It's just breaking it down and adding in increments and desensitizing.
 
My horse used to come off a rear load trailer far too quickly. One day he did it far too quickly and managed to scalp a small piece of his forelock off. He came off sensibly after that!
 
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