dafthoss
Well-Known Member
Will she walk across the ramp? It might be a way to start.
(UN!)loading problem! - Help please - at my wits end!
- Thread starter tammyisback
- Start date
why1040
Active Member
If you can get ahold of an old trailer ramp or something that's VERY similar, and get her used to walking over it on the ground, then moving it closer and closer to the trailer, via doorways (in and out of the stable for example), that might work?
Also walking across it rather than up it as the previous poster suggested.
Beyond that, I think the only thing I'd suggest would be to literally repeat a million times and reward hugely for even a smaller jump, rather than trying to prevent the big ones.
I also found that my old horse was fab at backing out of a non-ramped trailer (ie stepping down backwards) rather than using the ramp (backwards or forwards), which he tended to rush.
Also walking across it rather than up it as the previous poster suggested.
Beyond that, I think the only thing I'd suggest would be to literally repeat a million times and reward hugely for even a smaller jump, rather than trying to prevent the big ones.
I also found that my old horse was fab at backing out of a non-ramped trailer (ie stepping down backwards) rather than using the ramp (backwards or forwards), which he tended to rush.
riding_high
Well-Known Member
just wondering where you are when it comes to unloading? as in are you in the trailer, outside or walking down the ramp?
does your horse wait until you are clear of the ramp before jumping or does she jump while you are exiting the trailer?
if she waits then maybe put some tasty treats/food/fruit on the ramp at a few intervals, make sure she can clearly see/smell it, place one at the top of the ramp so she can get it before she jumps and then hopefully she will spot the one a bit further down.
she may try stretching to reach the next one but that's ok to start with, yes she may still jump out when she realises the treat is out of reach but over time she should get the idea that eating food off the ramp whilst exiting is a good thing and less tiring!
does your horse wait until you are clear of the ramp before jumping or does she jump while you are exiting the trailer?
if she waits then maybe put some tasty treats/food/fruit on the ramp at a few intervals, make sure she can clearly see/smell it, place one at the top of the ramp so she can get it before she jumps and then hopefully she will spot the one a bit further down.
she may try stretching to reach the next one but that's ok to start with, yes she may still jump out when she realises the treat is out of reach but over time she should get the idea that eating food off the ramp whilst exiting is a good thing and less tiring!
irish_only
Well-Known Member
This is what I would do, definitely. Gives her time to work things out in her own time and without human intervention. Then keep popping her back in and leaving her to it. Good luck x
jhoward
Demon exorcist...
ive just had a look at the trailer you mentioned, am i right in thinking there is not a ramp on the front they have to step out and its via an open door rather ramp? appoligies if ive looked wrong!
id possibley either way to the abouve question suggest that part of the problem is her catching her sides and not the actual ramp, when they come out of trailers that front unload more often than not parts of them touch the partition and the exit door,
have you tried padding her out really well so she wont feel it against her sides?
id possibley either way to the abouve question suggest that part of the problem is her catching her sides and not the actual ramp, when they come out of trailers that front unload more often than not parts of them touch the partition and the exit door,
have you tried padding her out really well so she wont feel it against her sides?
domane
Well-Known Member
Just a thought but is it a feet thing? Is she scared of different things under her feet? Will she walk over things like tarpaulins on the ground? I would take the trailer and it's ramp out of the equation for the time being and practise walking and standing on tarpaulins. Then get a large board, something like a 8' x 4' ply board (you *may* need help lifting and moving this!!! 
) lay that flat on the ground and practise walking over and standing on it. Then put a few bricks under one end so there is a slight slope and practise leading her over it so she has a small step down. This will get her used to the sounds and how it feels under her feet before you go back to the trailer scenario.
) lay that flat on the ground and practise walking over and standing on it. Then put a few bricks under one end so there is a slight slope and practise leading her over it so she has a small step down. This will get her used to the sounds and how it feels under her feet before you go back to the trailer scenario.Charlie007
Well-Known Member
This is of no help what so ever, but was told of a local chap that had a horse that wouldn't come out the box. He used to tie the horse (that was still on the lorry) to a tree then drive the box away slowly!!!
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
Find a field where, when the ramp is down, it is level with the trailer floor, as the ground which is beyond the ramp. if necessary, pad out beneath it to deaden the sound and if you can, go out down the wider ramp. If the ramp can be, cover it with bedding or carpet so it isn't like a ramp at all. Don't allow her to walk out. Do a step, back up, reward. Repeat until she waits to be asked to move any bit forward at all. She might have to have a bit of an appetite worked up to make feed attractive to her.
Let us know how you get on.
My pony used to load and unload at terrific speed, but is hugely susceptible to Polos and now will inch down the lorry ramp at a snail's pace if a mint is in the offing!
Let us know how you get on.
My pony used to load and unload at terrific speed, but is hugely susceptible to Polos and now will inch down the lorry ramp at a snail's pace if a mint is in the offing!
Foxhunter49
Well-Known Member
I would do two things to try and resolve the problem.
First if leading another horse ahead, take the partition out, make it as easy as possible.
What I would try before giving her a lead is to get her to put one foot on the ramp and get her to reverse back, do this several times and then both front feet and reverse then one back foot and reverse, so that she is anticipating getting so far and then reversing out.
Before doing this I would teach her to go back from finger pressure on her chest.
First if leading another horse ahead, take the partition out, make it as easy as possible.
What I would try before giving her a lead is to get her to put one foot on the ramp and get her to reverse back, do this several times and then both front feet and reverse then one back foot and reverse, so that she is anticipating getting so far and then reversing out.
Before doing this I would teach her to go back from finger pressure on her chest.
YasandCrystal
Well-Known Member
Have you tried clicker training? Sorry haven't read all your replies so may have been mentionned. I am no expert but it is a fab method for certain things and it rewards the horse 'instantly' for wanted behaviour! Watch some yOutube vids - it really is impressive and the horses pick it up quickly! I am not usually into any 'method fads' but clicker is unique imo. Good luck! 
JoJo29
New User
Hiya I have just bought a fautras oblic for a horse that had a bad experience loading up a lorry ramp. She is going into the trailer fine and although it is a heringbone travel system she is too large to turn around so I have to back her out. She was great by her second attempt but I held a feed into her chest to keep her head low as she would otherwise go up and hit her head.
I would advise doing lots of work with a tarpauline and poles to simulate walking on and off something then to a dummy ramp on the ground and do loads of in hand work with her going backwards for short distances in response to really small aids ie a light touch on the point of her shoulder. Use positive reinforcement of the slightest good response and keep calm.
Also you could try racing style blinkers. Some respond really well to these but use them first where she is confident to test how she may react to them.
My one is better if I use the small pull out ramp than nothing at all even though she is ramp phobic.
Try reversing the trailer so the ground she backs onto is the same level as the trailer floor and really good safe surface where no danger of her slipping or falling.
Hope it goes well, good luck
I would advise doing lots of work with a tarpauline and poles to simulate walking on and off something then to a dummy ramp on the ground and do loads of in hand work with her going backwards for short distances in response to really small aids ie a light touch on the point of her shoulder. Use positive reinforcement of the slightest good response and keep calm.
Also you could try racing style blinkers. Some respond really well to these but use them first where she is confident to test how she may react to them.
My one is better if I use the small pull out ramp than nothing at all even though she is ramp phobic.
Try reversing the trailer so the ground she backs onto is the same level as the trailer floor and really good safe surface where no danger of her slipping or falling.
Hope it goes well, good luck
Tinypony
Well-Known Member
Some trailers don't have front ramps, so it's always a matter of backing them off. I don't think it's a big deal as long as you do it carefully. I would practise reverse and forward, reverse and forward, on and off the ramp. Just to make sure she doesn't start with the idea of rushing out backwards. A person at the side is handy when they are new to it, to make sure they stay straight, but once they are used to it, it's easy. I can unload both of my ponies backwards at the same time (one doesn't like going first... or being left behind LOL!). Lately my friend has been transporting them and her trailer doesn't have a ramp, they come off backwards just fine.
However, with leapers I normally find that repetition is the key. Just round and round until they stop feeling impulsive about it.
burtie
Well-Known Member
I stopped my youngster jumping off the ramp by walking him across the bottom of the main back ramp a few times and not actually loading him at all, when he would do this without jumping we would load him in the front ramp then unload on an angle to walk of the side of the ramp in the same place he just did when walking across, by moving him sideways as we unloaded it helped reduce the ability to launch in the same way lateral work or shoulder in helps calm a silly horse under saddle.
Eventually progressed to walking him normally out in the back ramp, the finally to loading the correct way and walking out the front. Because he was used to turning as he unloaded from the earlier exercise it really helped when they have to turn as they unload down a normal front ramp.
Hope that helps.
Eventually progressed to walking him normally out in the back ramp, the finally to loading the correct way and walking out the front. Because he was used to turning as he unloaded from the earlier exercise it really helped when they have to turn as they unload down a normal front ramp.
Hope that helps.
kerilli
Well-Known Member
I was thinking about this, something else to try (first of all nowhere near a trailer)... if you blindfold most horses, they freeze and won't rush. i use a dark teatowel and tuck it under headcollar both sides. this would be a way of getting her in and out slowly, repeatedly, and hopefully she would realise that doing it slowly was okay and easier/safer.
(i used to have to do this with a horse who was hysterical about stable doorways and would panic and rush through).
i'd practice in the stable, and get her used to being blindfolded, gently moved/led around, and then praised and treats given, and blindfold removed. once it's established nowhere near the trailer, i would load her normally, put blindfold on, and then unload her very slowly and deliberately.
hope that helps.
(i used to have to do this with a horse who was hysterical about stable doorways and would panic and rush through).
i'd practice in the stable, and get her used to being blindfolded, gently moved/led around, and then praised and treats given, and blindfold removed. once it's established nowhere near the trailer, i would load her normally, put blindfold on, and then unload her very slowly and deliberately.
hope that helps.
soulfull
Well-Known Member
have not read all the replies
I think I would be tempted to cover the ramp (really cover it) in straw so she can't see it.
Then if she is ok with this gradually reduce how much straw you put on it
I think I would be tempted to cover the ramp (really cover it) in straw so she can't see it.
Then if she is ok with this gradually reduce how much straw you put on it
Jazmackinnon
New User
Hi,
Where are you in Britain? I think I know someone who can help you and depending on how far away there may not be a charge. It is a totally horse friendly method and teaches the horse to become confident with your ramp. No doping, forcing or feeling unsafe involved!
Where are you in Britain? I think I know someone who can help you and depending on how far away there may not be a charge. It is a totally horse friendly method and teaches the horse to become confident with your ramp. No doping, forcing or feeling unsafe involved!