Unloading a bit fast !

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GermanyJo

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Hi

Wondering if anyone has any ideas about this.
My horse was not great regarding going in a trailer when I got him last year, did not go anywhere until a few months ago, so have only been travelling on a regular basis the last month or so. he is great to load now, goes straight in, travels really well alone and with company... however... he is very very quick to come out of the back (ideally would use a front unload trailer, but having to borrow at the moment and all the german guys here seem to have only rear unload, and have a nice saddle room at the front instead of a front ramp).
By very quick, I mean, you have to be very careful when you undo the back bar as he is pushing against it as soon as the ramp is down.. it is a case of release and get out of the way!
I am a bit worried he is going to either hurt himself/the person undoing the bar, or damage the trailer if we can't get him to slow down abit.. I have tried keeping him occupied with food etc at the front end, but he is not interested.. as soon as the ramp is down he is only focused on getting out... did wonder about giving him a bit of a shove with a broom, but am a bit worried he will either not want to come out then.. or come out quicker !!

Any ideas anyone ? anyone had the same problem and managed to fix it ?
Long term, if I can't improve him, am going to try to get a front unload (I find them easier if I am alone anyway.)

thanks in advance for any ideas :-)
 
Ask someone to hold on to the front end with the horse in a bridle - telling him to stand. Once the horse is standing nicely - back him quietly off.

Don't think the broom idea is great - just reinforces why trailers aren't nice.....
 
I've got a similar problem. I can't unload my horse from the front ramp as he will just launch himself from the top of it. Rushing off the back is the lesser of 2 evils and he is much better than he was.
I always use a bridle or chifney (not because of this, but it is handy) and do as much preparation as I can so I have him untied and ready to go when the back comes down. I can then hold onto his head while the back bar is undone and have gradually started to make him wait a bit longer until I tell him he can back out. I used to worry and give in straight away but now I'm braver and make him wait. I also use a long lead rope to give me a bit more manouverability and make sure he doesn't drag me and I always ask the person doing the back bar to do it from the side rather than stand directly behind him.

Its about finding a method that works for you and being firm with him. I'd give the broom a miss though!
 
What I did with one of mine that was a fast unloader - was arrive at my destination - drop the back ramp and walk away, Do other things, so he doesn't anticipate coming off the moment you stop and drop the ramp. If he starts to back then simply put up the back ramp - walk away and try again. but he needs to learn that he doesn't come off the moment you stop. How about travelling him without hay, then when you get there, drop the back ramp and give him a net of haylage to keep him occupied. Make sure he learns that you say 'Back' when you want him to go back, and he doesn't go back until you say it. you need to establish the reverse on the ground, ask him to back up - then stand , then back up, If he decides to back on his own - keep backing him beyond the point where he wants to stop. That way you eventually take ownership of back. Then you can start to ask him to back when you want him to come off - and not before. It will take time - but it is worth it. I have horses that load to me saying 'on you go' and I just let their ropes go and they self load. Then I put up the back bar. When I get to where I am going I ask them to stand, drop the back bar and say 'back' so they reverse slowly out and I catch their rope as they come out.
 
I agree with Bosworth, don't undo the breach bar until he is standing quietly. Undoing the bar when he is upset basically rewards his bad behaviour by letting him out.

Practicing backing through narrow spaces, in and out of his stable, through gates, etc. will help him to get more confident in going backwards out of his trailer.
 
Hi, thanks for the ideas, we already have tried the hay idea and I always load/unload with a bridle on, the problem is when he starts to rush back, the more you try to hold on to him the quicker he goes.. Bosworth, will give your ideas a go - sounds good - thanks
 
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