unloading horse

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sherbet

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I have a 15' cob who is great in every way but one!

He loads with no problem may need a push on the bum but then walks on and travls great but..............

He panics when the front ramp comes down and cant wait to get of. Last time the front bar had only been unclipped on one side and the was through luckly not hurting himself.

I taking him out of friday for a long hack on the forest with a friend, he will travel "passanger" side so he unloads 1st but it is staring to put me off taking him out - any ideas! Thanks
 
i would take him out backwards, my aunt had this problem with her cob in the trailer, she stopped useing the front ramp and took both horses out backwards, and he was fine.

worth a try and to how he goes, good luck
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chifney is your answer.....practice on the ground first tho, dont just use it unloading otherwise it could throw horsey into panic mode even more when he sees it.

Use gently and only when necessary but can be a lifesaver with "keen" to get off and "on" horses. I have to use one on my ID as he is always keen to get on and off the box at speed and he is BIG!
 
My horse had never travelled in a trailer and after a couple of hairy moments shooting off at full speed, then getting to the point that I stupidly undid the front breastbar before getting OH to undo the front ramp as I was so afraid he would try to get over the bar if the ramp was put down first, well he panicked and shot forward before the ramp was down and we both flew out and got a see saw ride on the ramp taking it crashing to the floor, I ended up with bruised ribs. He never refused to load just couldnt wait to get out so I tried rear unloading him. This worked great at first but then he would walk straight in then fly out backwards, whacking his head on the way out and now I have a horse that panics if you try to put the rear bar up. Tried with out it but he freaks if the ramp is lifted and Ive all but given up as hes the type that would fight til he was out if you know what I mean.
Travels great in a lorry though.
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Have you tried working on loading/unloading when you are at home? would you say he is excited to get going or panicky when he barges out?
Does he travel often?
Is he respectful of your space the rest of the time?

The rear unloading may work for some, but whether he's excited or panicking he may only have the same reaction but backwards! It's not really solving the problem, just working around it.

I would def work on his groundwork with the trailer and de-sensitising him to loading and unloading.. make it boring for him, have the attitude that you'll spend all day with it (with this attitude it will take no time) and when he's yawning you know you've cracked it!
 
I do think rear unloading works for some horses but agree totally with Lilpinkso. I think the problem with the larger horse is the front unload is narrow and tight especially on the Ifors as they unload to the right, you have more room unloading to the left. It only takes one bad experience of them banging there sides (friends horse pretty much skinned herself!) to put them off and make them rush out.
I think my horse was definately claustophobic as he would load every time, bless him but was never really happy and try to shut him in, well it was a disaster waiting to happen.
 
Thanks for all the help

I wil rear unlaod this friday as have a friend and her horse on-board as well so have some help

Then take a day to load and unload etc

He is great in every other way could not ask for a better horse and with a name like Sherbet Dib Dab, well saysi t all!!!!
 
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