[SilverShadows]

Before we start, let me stress, Danny has never shown that he finds anything about the trailer scary, doesnt kick buck in the trailer (unless he needs a wee )

We have problems getting Danny into the trailer since we first got him. He is a 'I dont want to so you cant make me' horse, and you kind of have to bully him into everything.

It is an ifor williams trailer, (the smaller one) with a ramp and we always leave the top door of the front ramp open when we load. We also angle the back partition.

Occaisionally he will walk in (once in a blue moon) but most of the time he just stands there with his ears foward (not pinned forward like 'OMG A TRAILER' but just relaxed forward) and looks around.
We have to use a lunge line round his bum to get him in as we were told not to use their heads to pull them in. (and at a last resort, feed, which he walks staright in for [but he wont follow carrots in ]

But on the way home from the shows he walks staright in and we were in contact with the people who we bought him off and the people who had him as a baby and they say he always loaded really really well.

[SilverShadows]

BUMPinggg......

[SilverShadows]

Anyone?????

[rageandglory]

not liking his new career? not liking the ride (my vote)? there is a reason ... somewhere.. check your trailer for all safety points, 'specially the floor UNDER the matts... some things they (the horses) just know.

[JBandRio]

It's really a simple fix for horses like this:

outside trailer = work
inside trailer = rest

Put a lunge line on him, ask him to go on the trailer. As long as he's even thinking forward, leave him alone. But the instant he focuses somewhere else (even if his feet didn't move), or takes a step that is not forward, *immediately* use your lunge line and lunge whip to send him off in a BIG hurry in a small circle. Several times around, lickety-split. No emotion, just the activity.

Then, ask him to load again.

The smart, lazy horse doesn't take long to realize his little game doesn't work.

Be sure to switch the direction of the circle every few times.

[Bruce Wiley]

Hello SilverShadows:

I am along the same way of thinking with JB, to where the horse must learn there is only hard work outside of the trailer, and where there is relaxation inside.

You must be able to do this and everything without any negative human behaviors.
Heres where that old saying comes into play- never allow horses or even people see you sweat or have any ill feelings against them reguarding their mistakes.
We as humans can't correct or train, unless there are mistakes so we need it, in order to make that change.

First and formost, I would say you should get your horse thinking more about going forward and this can be done by asking the horse to disengage his hindend outside of the opening of the trailer, and also with getting him to do a tight half circle formation either to the right or left with changing his path of travel often and alot.

You may need to do this for a constant 15-20 minutes of not allowing him to stop.
With having only given him 2 ways to travel, this would be the time to offer him the third and fourth options which is to first stop at the opening and then to move forward inside of the trailer.
At anytimes should the horse do otherwise, then put him back to work for another sessions of minutes.
This time you're going to increase the time by 5 minutes and just continue this pattern along with increasing the rate of speed, which means he must do it a verved speeds while in motion. Once again, don't allow the horse to stop until he shows a keen interest in wanting to attempt to re consider your offer but it must be at the opening of the trailer, where you should grant his request and only repeat the technique if he is not looking or thinking about going inside.

Once he has gone in, then count up to 10 seconds for training his patience.
Slowly increase each and everytime and then cue or request him to move backward and on out of the trainer.
The backward movement would need to be perform just as much as the forward motion with re enforcing your control, until it has becomes an automatic conditionning in his mind, which will disspell any scary thoughts about going in and being inside of the trainer.

For sure this or any training won't render the desire result right away but it will put the horse and youself onto the path of succession to succeed.

I hope this insight helps.