Enjoying the Scenery while trailering?

Painted1 · 11-01-2007, 05:28 PM

Any suggestions to help a horse relax while trailering??

He's okay about getting on, but he becomes an absolute wreck once on. I've loaded him and fed him grain, but he still gets antsy, even when the trailers not moving. Constantly moving, and eventually he sweats bullets he gets so worked up.

Anyone else have a horse that became a nervous wreck with trailering? What did you do to help your horse learn to relax and enjoy the scenery?

Thrills · 11-01-2007, 07:25 PM

I have that problem with Mo.

It is not a training issue with him, it is a HERD BOUND issue. He loads and unloads fantasically until he realizes he is alone. Then all heck breaks loose, as he is perfectly fine with other horses in there.

I have been trying to build up his confidence all summer by taking short trips to go trail riding. A couple of trips just around the block as well.

He is *okay* for short trips *now*, but for long hauls I ace him. Otherwise he tries to tear my trailer apart.

Is your guy being hauled by himself or with a buddy?

roxyroller91 · 11-01-2007, 08:32 PM

well well Jill, I guess it is time for us to go to Blackfoot :shifty eyes: and he will be with a buddy...

PLAYER!!! he is fantastic for trailering so...

BWAHAHA time for hubby to watch your little girl

pittmd · 11-02-2007, 07:08 AM

Well we have that same problem now. My horse loads fine but does not like to have the devider closed so the other horse can get on (not that he ever will). I watched CA talking about the nervous trailering problem and he says that its just a matter of preperation...

Once the horse learns that he will not have to work on the trailer and that he does have to keep his feet moving when out of the trailer he will get on and stand quite. He also recomends tieing your horse for several hours a day until they can stand quite. If I did not have a full time job I might have enough time to get the **** things trained like he says...

I wish you luck!

Blistering Winds · 11-02-2007, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Pittelkow

Well we have that same problem now. My horse loads fine but does not like to have the devider closed so the other horse can get on (not that he ever will). I watched CA talking about the nervous trailering problem and he says that its just a matter of preperation...

Once the horse learns that he will not have to work on the trailer and that he does have to keep his feet moving when out of the trailer he will get on and stand quite. He also recomends tieing your horse for several hours a day until they can stand quite. If I did not have a full time job I might have enough time to get the **** things trained like he says...

I wish you luck!

Oh I know how you feel.

to the OP....have you tried loading and leaving him stand and eat in the trailer? Feed him in there a few times. Make that his "happy place". Dont' move, just load up, feed, and leave the back door open so he can leave at "his pleasure"

In my trailer training, I will work on loading, unloading then standing. once they go in, I don't quick close the doors. I leave it open so they can get out. They learn it isnt' a big deal to just stay. OH HEY, there is food! Ok....

Then, after they are relaxed going in and out that way, then start closing the door, let them munch, then open the door. DON"T unload them. Let THEM mosy out.

Too many owners are in a rush to get them OUT of the trailer, the horses start anticipating they need to get OUT, therefor making a nervous horse in the process.

Painted1 · 11-02-2007, 02:25 PM

Yeah, I've done all of this...... He's just a nervous wreck and think I may have to ace him......

With or without a buddy, he's the same. We do hang out on the trailer and just chill together, but he's still a nervous wreck.

Spoke to the trainer I worked for who raced him.... they always hauled down to Florida for the winter and back up to DE at spring...... and just because he loads and unloads, doesn't mean he had great experiences, you know???

It was best when we had the stalls in, because his body basically was confined, although he was still an absolute wreck the entire time.....

Then, we tried him in a stock trailer, HAHA. Definitely better with stalls.

I've been playing with him with the stalls out, just to get him comfortable and to give him a lot of room to be comfortable.

Plus, he's not extremely motivated by food, although it does work for a while as a special "treat", but he does love praise and being with me.

I don't haul him any where's unless need be, just want him to learn to relax while not in motion...... just having a hard time getting through his knuckle TB brain.

Still love him though...... He unloads like a gentleman even after his "ordeal".

11-01-2007, 05:28 PM	#1
Painted1 Full Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 94 Images: 1	Enjoying the Scenery while trailering? Any suggestions to help a horse relax while trailering?? He's okay about getting on, but he becomes an absolute wreck once on. I've loaded him and fed him grain, but he still gets antsy, even when the trailers not moving. Constantly moving, and eventually he sweats bullets he gets so worked up. Anyone else have a horse that became a nervous wreck with trailering? What did you do to help your horse learn to relax and enjoy the scenery?

11-01-2007, 07:25 PM	#2
Thrills Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 2,863 Images: 394 Blog Entries: 60	I have that problem with Mo. It is not a training issue with him, it is a HERD BOUND issue. He loads and unloads fantasically until he realizes he is alone. Then all heck breaks loose, as he is perfectly fine with other horses in there. I have been trying to build up his confidence all summer by taking short trips to go trail riding. A couple of trips just around the block as well. He is okay for short trips now, but for long hauls I ace him. Otherwise he tries to tear my trailer apart. Is your guy being hauled by himself or with a buddy? __________________ Some days you are the dog...some days the hydrant HR director of the FF Club

11-01-2007, 08:32 PM	#3
roxyroller91 Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 2,674 Images: 334	well well Jill, I guess it is time for us to go to Blackfoot :shifty eyes: and he will be with a buddy... PLAYER!!! he is fantastic for trailering so... BWAHAHA time for hubby to watch your little girl __________________ RIP Riley, my special boy, I will love you forever My babies: Shih Tzu/Lhasa apso ~Abbie~ Arabian Gelding ~Player~ BAM! I've been hit by a snowball

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11-02-2007, 07:08 AM	#4
pittmd Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pine Island, Minnesota Posts: 395 Images: 12	Well we have that same problem now. My horse loads fine but does not like to have the devider closed so the other horse can get on (not that he ever will). I watched CA talking about the nervous trailering problem and he says that its just a matter of preperation... Once the horse learns that he will not have to work on the trailer and that he does have to keep his feet moving when out of the trailer he will get on and stand quite. He also recomends tieing your horse for several hours a day until they can stand quite. If I did not have a full time job I might have enough time to get the **** things trained like he says... I wish you luck!

11-02-2007, 02:25 PM	#6
Painted1 Full Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 94 Images: 1	Yeah, I've done all of this...... He's just a nervous wreck and think I may have to ace him...... With or without a buddy, he's the same. We do hang out on the trailer and just chill together, but he's still a nervous wreck. Spoke to the trainer I worked for who raced him.... they always hauled down to Florida for the winter and back up to DE at spring...... and just because he loads and unloads, doesn't mean he had great experiences, you know??? It was best when we had the stalls in, because his body basically was confined, although he was still an absolute wreck the entire time..... Then, we tried him in a stock trailer, HAHA. Definitely better with stalls. I've been playing with him with the stalls out, just to get him comfortable and to give him a lot of room to be comfortable. Plus, he's not extremely motivated by food, although it does work for a while as a special "treat", but he does love praise and being with me. I don't haul him any where's unless need be, just want him to learn to relax while not in motion...... just having a hard time getting through his knuckle TB brain. Still love him though...... He unloads like a gentleman even after his "ordeal".