Training to self load

soloequestrian · 21 May 2023

I've kind of started this by accident. Horse thought it was fun to walk through the trailer on her own today. I have her on a long lunge line and go behind her so I can reel her in at the other end - she's tending to skip out rather than gently step. She did it numerous times and gradually got more relaxed about it each time. I'm thinking about next steps - it would be great to get her to stop naturally where the breast bar will be without actually having it there. Wondering how I can get a trail of snacks at the right height, especially snacks that would catch her attention easily... or any other tips from people who have successfully done this.

FitzyFitz · 23 May 2023

I would teach her a voice command for whoa so you can ask her to stop at the right place. Start teaching it out in the field/yard and lots of praise before trying it in trickier situations.
Do you have a haynet in there? if so she'd likely at least pause for a snack. Walking through is great but standing still in there can sometimes be harder and it will be nicer for her to learn to stand without being forced to by the breast bar initially.

Landcruiser · 23 May 2023

Why bother - once the breast bar goes in she'll stop there. Or put it up once's she's in, if it's an issue. Make sure any treats are up high - and only available once she's standing where she should be - the last thing you want is her going in with her head low and then coming up under the bar. I've taught my youngster like this. I have a clip on trough fixed in front and there's always a handful of something good in there, plus a nice net of haylage (she's on hay normally). She can't wait to get on, she literally pulls towards the trailer if she sees the ramp is down

soloequestrian · 24 May 2023

Could you expand on the 'clip on trough'? Would you have a link that would show what it looks like? Sounds useful!

Landcruiser · 28 May 2023

soloequestrian said:
Could you expand on the 'clip on trough'? Would you have a link that would show what it looks like? Sounds useful!

I have a ring bolt in the front either side of the front ramp, with one of those rubber covered stall guards strung between as needed - it's fairly taut. Then I just use an over door manger, with the metal clips bent in slightly - it stays put, even during a journey. You could position the ring bolts/stall guard directly in the nose, I just happened to already have mine fitted at the ramp. See links below. I had my eye bolts from the local Ifor Williams dealer, they are similar to these