This message is from: "Skeels, Mark A \(GE Healthcare\)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Well, I always did get in the trailer with my own horses, but was trying to see what other people did, as there are a couple different trains of thought I know on every aspect of training. Many of them seem to work so there probably isn't necessarily any right or wrong. I was just going thru this little issue in trying to train them the way someone more experienced does it, verses the way I always have. It always seemed safe to me, but then I guess anything can happen when your at a strage place with other vehicles and events going on around the trailer that could possibly startle any horse. I've hauled my horses many places and over good distances without any issues going into the trailer. There is a necesity on long hauls, to go into the trailer, as there is always chaff, or poop or whatever in the water bucket and such. On the big trailer I close the 2 gates and usually have 1 or 2 horses in each of 3 8x7 stall areas, then the small trailer I close the middle gate and they have 2- 7x8 areas to be in when traveling. The only time I have the whole backend wide open is when they are being loaded or unloaded. So it's not really like they can practice their 100 yard dash in there when traveling. They usually rest their rump or side against the trailer when traveling so aren't just standing in the middle trying to balance. It is also nice for the horses to be able to do things different ways in case there ever comes a need for an alternate plan. Such as someone else unloading my horses or something. A few years ago we had more issues with loading horses as we didn't really take them anywhere, so they weren't used to it. Maybe the first time they were ever trailered was when someone came to buy one. But now, the more we go places with them the more comfortable they and we get with transporting. I guess the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm really not trying to fix the way I do it, just trying to train them an alternate way of doing something they already do well. You see Karen, some of the ground work Outside the trailer, is getting them loaded and unloaded with Paralli. He has you stand outside with the lead rope and the horse should go in and out by themselves pretty much on your que. If you have to get into the trailer to push them from the front to back them out, this doesn't pass the mustard with Paralli, you don't pass that part of the program, and your horse isn't trained well enough. You have to be able to get your horse to back out without you yourself getting into the trailer. This of course isn't the way I have always done it, which is why I was wondering if others had any experience with this type of loading and unloading with a larger stock style trailer. Mark Subject: RE: trailering This message is from: "Karen McCarthy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> mark, if you can't get into the trailer with your *own* horses, then it's time for more groundwork outside of the trailer, so that the horse learns to respect your space, and so that you become more comfortable handling them. If you are unsure of just how to go about it, perhaps a local trainer can assist you? It doesn't take Parelli to do this, just common sense. Did you read my previous post? Did you understand it? I tried to go step by step theu the whole process, but idf you felt it was unsafe to do, please understand i wouldn't have posted it for a second if I had thought it was. If something wasn't understood let me know and i can elaborate. The main point I wish to make in regard to trailer training, or any groundwork is that it takes focus & consistancy, and it takes TIME. No magic. Karen McCarthyGreat Basin Fjords :: Carson City, Nevadahttp://www.picturetrail.com/weegees
