very stupid question about trailers....

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hayley.t

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OK, I apologise as this is a really silly question but with a rear load and un-load trailer do u just back the horse down the ramp?:o

What are peoples opinion on using them? I am looking for a reasonably priced trailer and keep coming across these but have never used one.
 
Yes, you back them out. Most horses take to it well but it is worth having someone with you the first few times to ensure they don't step sideways off the ramp.
 
Thank you, I have one that would be fine but not sure about the other, I think i'll hang on, i'm just getting impatient of looking! lol
 
I know someone who used to let her 17hh ShirexTB turn around in her fairly small (505 size!!) trailer as she traveled it without a partition :eek: :eek: How it didn't get stick I do not know :eek:

When she sold the trailer the sides where ballooned out from where the horse had put all it's weight into it trying to turn around :eek:
 
Our trailer only had a rear ramp (hell, it dated from the days when you spoke to a phone operator to be put through to the person you were calling!).

We borrowed a nice Ifor Williams off a friend to collect a horse I had on trial once (our trailer was too small for him), completely forgot about the front ramp until we'd backed him out.

Agree with maisie06. There may come the day when you can't use your front ramp for one reason or another.
 
We always back mine off too, haven't even taken the shrink wrapping off the front ramp yet... I just figure I'll have to drop the back one to load him again, so saves opening an extra ramp and Cobface doesn't mind.
 
Honey08 said:
I've yet to come across a horse that can't back out of a trailer. You just have to keep them straight and slow, then its no problem.
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Exactly. Personaly I think front unloads are a liability .Too often the horse on the side nearest the ramp rushes out in a panic ,bashing itself.Give me nice calm safe backing out every time.
 
It always took ages to back one of mine out of a rear unload. He used to get in quite a tizz about it bless him. I was very relieved when we got a front unload.

However i do think it is something all horses should be able to do. You never know when you might need it!
 
When I broke down once, we had to back out of my trailer even though it was front unload.

It was dark, cold, rainy and he had been stuck in the trailer for 4 hours. He managed it fine even though there were beacons flashing from rescue vans etc. He'd never done it before but backed out like a pro.

I think the key is if you have taught them the "back" command well enough.
 
Yes back them out slowly, and get someone to stand at the side so they don't slip off the ramp sideways.

I was doing some loading & unloading training with my youngster at the weekend, who i think we will back out in future as she seems to think coming out of the front she needs to jump & clear the front ramp :confused:, but will back out like a pro.
 
I never ever allow my horses to come out of the front of a trailer .
I simply train them to back out on command its simple and you can unload too yourself easily .
 
Honey08 said:
I've yet to come across a horse that can't back out of a trailer. You just have to keep them straight and slow, then its no problem.
Click to expand...

I struggled to get my mare to back out. She would rush forwards when using the front ramp, one time bashing her hip so thought it wise to try the reversing method. Nope. She took a few steps back then rushed back in nearly squashing me against the still up breast bar. After that I couldn't get her to take an inch back, she just put all her weight forward. Unloaded front and practiced at home using poles on the ground to reverse through. Stubborn mare wouldn't have any of that nonsense! Dare say I gave up. Never tried since. Yet, she is very good at commands, and does over and back very well... Until you limit the space behind her. Don't have own transport now. God help us if we had to reverse out!
 
Yup, just back out. I'm also of the opinion that all horses should be taught to back out of a trailer calmly as you never know when you might need to do it!!!
 
P.s important to teach you horse to back up regardless! I practise in_hand all the time, making sure my girls go backwards in a head-collar, calmly and in a straight line
 
Only met one horse who would not back out (we tried everything). She will turn herself round, luckily our trailer is big enough, but is no way on this green earth that she will back out. As she's slightly psychotic it's best to go with her flow.

Everything else backs out happily, even the Dizz would and she was a bit special about it, looking at me all the time as if to say "Are you sure?!"

Our trailer has front unload, but Titch will be taught to back out.
 
I now use my front unload but before that I had a rear unload and it never caused a problem.
(I am selling a 505 if anyone looking)
 
I've always had front unloads BUT agree with the majority here, all horses should be able to back out.

Its also safer. you are unlikely to get jumped on by a backing horse!
 
I'm not saying that you shouldn't teach a horse to back out, I'm just saying that I prefer not to back them out as a general course. When backing out, there is more potential for them turning around on the way out or falling off the side of the ramp as they can't see it. Never had one jump the ramp unloading forwards myself. I suspect preference depends on the temperament of the animal involved :)
 
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