I can't get my 2yo back out of the truck. Any tips? Please!!! <pictures>

Vickijay

Vickijay

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 November 2004
Messages
3,243
Visit site
My 2yo loads into the truck perfectly but I can't get her back out!!!

She investigates it to check there is floor...

4c6f2bce.jpg


She bangs the edge with her foot.

And then stands on the edge looking confused

6d1d9df8.jpg


She will even stand on the very edge looking confused!

ddc937ba.jpg


If she steps down onto the ramp she frightens herself and jumps back up.

I have just been using pressure on the headcoller and release with praise to get to here but now I'm a bit stumped!!

There is nowhere at home with enough of a slope to make the ramp less steep. She loads in and out of my friends trailer.

Luckily she will back out so part of me thinks just carry on but it would be better if she could come put like a normal horse!!

Any tips or help? Please!!!
 
Cover the ramp in straw, obviously not ideal when you are at a show, but when you are loading/unloading at home it will be easier done. Then it will look more 'normal' to her, if you practice this a lot at home and gradually take the straw off it it she should get used to it a lot easier.
 
There's a metal strip on the ramp, up against the bed of the deck, and if she puts her foot on that, and slips forward, that'd be why, I would think. I can only suggest that you give her a good and deep straw bed to walk down, it may help, or park the box in a field, and leave her to find her own way out, perhaps. It'd be a little risky, incase she unloads herself in a rush, but I can't see what other option you have.

She looks rather nice.

Alec.
 
Just allow her time to work it out, and come out when she's ready.

Practice daily, and it will be a fine art in no time.

I also agree about the metal strip - and I would ensure it's rubbered, as the rest are.
 
I will put a thick layer of straw on and try later.

I tried waiting for her and quietly asking her. We were there for almost 2 hours!!

I hadn't even thought about the metal bit, I shall cover it later and let you know!
 
I always start by unloading backwards (reversing out of the trailer/lorry, one step at a time, asking for a stop after each step with the training headcollar) and practice going downhill forwards off a bank and a step in the yard (I improvised with what I had). I find youngsters often have trouble going down the ramp forwards but they soon get the idea if you can do it gradually elsewhere first.
 
staw on ramp is a really big help, as is encouragement with feed.I always make sure thay have over reach boots on as if they slide down the first step they can catch the back of their fetlock and this can make the jump back in as they think the ramp bites!!!
i often have two people , one on each side to keep then straight and then take their time.
Practice in a no stress way .
 
I'd leave her. I really would! I'd sit in the car where I could see her and read a book. When she comes off -- as she will do eventually -- lead her back in. I guarantee she will be quicker coming out the second time. And even faster the third time. If you indulge her, she will always demand straw on the ramp, etc. If you try to force her, you might well initiate a phobia and end up with a worse problem. Give her time and she will work it out.

(By putting her back in again, you are encouraging her to try again when she is still flushed with her recent success!;)).
 
My filly was the same at 2. After I.30 hours I put a tiny pony at the base of the ramp and it encouraged her out. I didnt rush her at all - just waited and she came out when she was ready.
Now aged 3 she is fine.
 
Dry Rot said:
I'd leave her. I really would! I'd sit in the car where I could see her and read a book. When she comes off -- as she will do eventually -- lead her back in. I guarantee she will be quicker coming out the second time. And even faster the third time. If you indulge her, she will always demand straw on the ramp, etc. If you try to force her, you might well initiate a phobia and end up with a worse problem. Give her time and she will work it out.

(By putting her back in again, you are encouraging her to try again when she is still flushed with her recent success!;)).
Click to expand...

Such good sense.

As another, is she out yet?! :D

Alec.
 
Some years ago I had to take my best 2 yo RID filly down to Bushy Equine Clinic to have her heart checked out by the cardiologist Mark Patteson - as she'd shown an 'odd' murmur at the vetting for grading. She'd never travelled - but she strolled up a steep ramp - with a step up at the top - as if she'd been doing it all her life. Got her to Bushy and could we get her off?? No! She just planted at the top and refused to move! So Mr. Patteson did her ultra-sound on the lorry! (Heart was fine!)

Got home - would she come off? No! We brought her best friend to the bottom of the ramp - and led her away. We tried food. We left her loose and went and had a coffee! In the end I put a bum rope on her, and two soft lead ropes around her front fetlocks, and combined 'walking' her feet down with some gentle bum pressure. Next time we travelled her was in a trailer at 4 - with her foal at foot. She was perfect. Then we took her to another show the next year - in the same lorry - and she walked on and off with no trouble.
 
My yearling did the same when practicing loading in a trailer the first few times for when we were moving them. Just gave him time and eventually decided to come off. However he was better with the horsebox ramp despite that being steeper?

Food, friends etc... made no difference just patience and lots of it!

Hopefully you are not still waiting! LOL
 
eventrider23 said:
Echo what the others have said and also want to say she is looking beautiful...and my ear looks well! LOL
Click to expand...

Aww thanks, I think your ear is looking pretty nice too (although I cant remember which one is yours :confused::):confused: )

Dry Rot said:
I'd leave her. I really would! I'd sit in the car where I could see her and read a book. When she comes off -- as she will do eventually -- lead her back in. I guarantee she will be quicker coming out the second time. And even faster the third time. If you indulge her, she will always demand straw on the ramp, etc. If you try to force her, you might well initiate a phobia and end up with a worse problem. Give her time and she will work it out.

(By putting her back in again, you are encouraging her to try again when she is still flushed with her recent success!;)).
Click to expand...

I cant leave her so Ill have to have enough time to sit and wait with her. Its hardstanding and if she was to jump then I dread to think what would happen.


Cedars said:
Did you get her out?!
Click to expand...

Alec Swan said:
Such good sense.

As another, is she out yet?! :D

Alec.
Click to expand...

I waited but I had to go to work so I had to back her out. I have time today but its howling with wind so don't think Im wise to try today!!

JanetGeorge said:
Some years ago I had to take my best 2 yo RID filly down to Bushy Equine Clinic to have her heart checked out by the cardiologist Mark Patteson - as she'd shown an 'odd' murmur at the vetting for grading. She'd never travelled - but she strolled up a steep ramp - with a step up at the top - as if she'd been doing it all her life. Got her to Bushy and could we get her off?? No! She just planted at the top and refused to move! So Mr. Patteson did her ultra-sound on the lorry! (Heart was fine!)

Got home - would she come off? No! We brought her best friend to the bottom of the ramp - and led her away. We tried food. We left her loose and went and had a coffee! In the end I put a bum rope on her, and two soft lead ropes around her front fetlocks, and combined 'walking' her feet down with some gentle bum pressure. Next time we travelled her was in a trailer at 4 - with her foal at foot. She was perfect. Then we took her to another show the next year - in the same lorry - and she walked on and off with no trouble.
Click to expand...

Sorry but your story did make me chuckle a little bit, at least Im not the only one!! I did wonder about trying a bum rope but she is nearly 16.1 now so not sure it would work?!
 
I had this problem with a youngster.....she couldnt work out the step!!!

I took her outside, up and down curbs, forwards and backwards, bigger curbs than lorry steps!! I would ask her up and down stop half way, made it a bit of fun. Then she knew how to tackle that issue, the ramps became easy peesy for her, now she travels without problems, and loads and unloads just the same
 
I'd leave her loose - someone holding the rope can sometimes make them back off even more.

Also I wouldn't want to be loading /unloading something that is tricky or young on concrete, it's just too much risk. In an arena or on grass just in case of a fall, slip or rear.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top