Ramp vs Step

["Linda B. Merims" <lbm@naisp.net>]

Terry said:

 

>...the big problem is LEAPING over the ramp...

 

The one time I had trouble with a horse leaping over a ramp

from a trailer (actually, it was a van), it turned out to be because

I had put "fuzzies" on his halter noseband.  It was acting like a

shadow roll, and the horse literally couldn't see what was at his

feet, including the ramp.  He was following me on blind faith,

leaping from what looked like to him a 3' cliff.  No fuzzy, no

leaping.  Just a thought.

 

Ramps seem to be a cultural thing.  The "English-style"

disciplines seem wedded to their ramps, while the "Western-style"

disciplines always have step-ups.  So, if you buy an

"English-style" straight-load (i.e., not a stock-style trailer),

they always come with a ramp.

 

I had always used ramps and considered them a must (English-style

background) until I happened into my used 18' gooseneck stock trailer

with step-up.

 

I'd never buy a ramp again.  They seem to be nothing more

than something else to scare the horse.

 

Linda B. Merims

lbm@naisp.net

Massachusetts, USA