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Author
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Topic: Trailer Trouble!!
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jemzajewel
Junior Member
Member # 2027
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posted May 12, 2004 12:15 AM
My horse Darcy is pretty well-mannered, except for when it comes to unloading from a horse trailer. He is OK getting on (after he's refused a few times he just gets on), but getting off he just bolts. Once the ramp is down and i've asked him gently to get off, he bolts and rips the leadrope out of my hands. He is fine and stands still once he's off, but I need advice as to how I can stop this annoying habit!
Thanks!! From Jemma
PS: I've already heard the 'solution' of parking the trailer up to the back of a dam so when the horse bolts it goes straight in and never tries it again.......and I really dont want to do that!! Its just against the way I handle horses!! Any more gentle tips?? ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
Posts: 14 | From: Australia | Registered: Mar 2004
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space_cowboy
Member
Member # 1308
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posted May 12, 2004 06:07 AM
have you tried putting a stud chain on him? Put one over his nose nad when he tries to run you over give it a yank. It sounds more of a respect issue. I use a stud chain on one of my horses who thinks he can run me down getting off the trailer and it gives me a lot more control.
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Horses are my life, and I couldn't imagine my life without them.......
http://community.webshots.com/user/silver_spur
Posts: 383 | From: houston | Registered: Jan 2004
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CanadianWrangler
Member
Member # 1843
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posted May 12, 2004 08:21 AM
Very simple --- BACK him out of the trailer until he realizes he can go out without getting scared.
This keeps him slow, and works him to trust you and your commands. Have never seen a horse lope/bolt backwards! LOL
Only thing to watch for is a rear, so stay by his shoulder and NOT in front of him.
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The More we teach our horses the more we Learn from our horses.
Posts: 119 | From: Saskatchewan | Registered: Mar 2004
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Blistering Winds
Member
Member # 843
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posted May 12, 2004 11:09 AM
This is why you should always BACK a horse out of a trailer. So they don't rush you before you are read.
Don't let your horse turn his head. Keep it straight, and just back him out completely.
If he has a habit of bolting even after being backed, get a stud chain. Remember not to tie with it, but use it when you are manuvering him in and out of the trailer.
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Horses should not be treated as people. They should be respected for who they are and what they are capable of doing!
Born Free Now Expensive
Posts: 4337 | From: Texas | Registered: Oct 2003
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Super Step
Member
Member # 1637
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posted May 12, 2004 06:06 PM
Is he running off backwards, or do you turn him around and let him face the rear?
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I am the guy who changed his name to Super Step
Posts: 146 | From: Alabama | Registered: Feb 2004
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MissBandit
Member
Member # 1377
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posted May 12, 2004 07:23 PM
You'd be surprised how quickly a horse can scramble backwards down a ramp. We had a horse that RAN backwards down the ramp. Suggestion, if you decided to try the stud chain, please put a skull cap on him. If he tosses himself up it will save his head.
My other suggestion would be to not let him stand nicely after he rushes out. Make him back. And I mean BACK UP, BACK UP, BACK UP! Be serious with him and make him work. It will startle him. Then ask him to reload and unload again. Every time he rushes, work that s.ucker backwards. He'll get the point. Whenever he takes a quiet step backwards, reward him generously.
[ May 12, 2004, 07:23 PM: Message edited by: MissBandit ]
Posts: 2292 | From: BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2004
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