Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I had a time concern a couple of times and it was not my horse so no 
luxury of pre load training. Jeff Wonnell taught me a great trick that 
works every time and you only have to do it once and it is NOT cruel!
He told me to get a chain dog leash so that it has small links. Then I 
put it under the top lip and attach the lead line-- no pressure-- only 
enough to keep it from slipping. I tell the horse to walk and wait a few 
seconds then take a small step which of course puts a little pressure on 
the lip chain. I keep the chain in relatively same position to me. If 
the horse doesn't move, I just stand there--- not increasing pressure. 
Believe me, the horse eventually figures it out and takes a step 
forward-- the pressure is gone. I take another step forward after much 
praise, same game. If the horse backs, he puts the pressure on 
himself--- no need for me to yell or tap, tap tap, or back him up or 
anything. Soooo simple and yet it has worked every time-- the horse is 
smart enough to realize that he controls his own destiny and loads very 
quickly-- at least that has been my experience. When time is not an 
issue, I usually try the bring the horse to the trailer and wait, and 
yes, the light tap tap on the hocks to irritate and encourage, yet 
sometimes there is no time or it is a friend's horse and I want to get 
on before midnight. This always does the trick for me and if I have any 
subsequent hesitancy, all I have to do is bring the chain out in plain 
sight and that is the end of it.
Hope it works for you
Bette

Ridecamp Guest wrote:

> Please Reply to: Sharon Hahn sharon.hahn@xxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ==========================================
>
> If your horse has only loaded 3 times in her life, and you can reliably load her in 15 minutes, you're doing just fine.  If you trailer a few more times (preferably someplace fun and not to the vet to have her teeth floated), she'll load faster.  Don't put ropes on and try to winch her in - just stand her there in front of the trailer door until she gets in. Don't be in a hurry.  Invest the time. It might take 3 hours the first time, but you'll quickly have a horse that loads calmly and quickly for life.
>
>
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--
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians
Home of Bunny and 16.2h TLA Halynov
who lives on through his legacy Hal's Riverdance!
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com

Always remember: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." (George Carlin)




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Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

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