Trailer Problem

~*Trooper*~ · 08-13-2008, 09:01 PM

Hello I have three horses.. We just got a new horse trailer. It is a 4 horse slant load. 2 out of our 3 horses will go into the trailer and can be locked up and tied. Our one horse Trooper will go in and stand there with no problem we have shook the trailer made all kinds of noise in and on the outside of the trailer. We can not get Trooper to allow us to tie him and lock him into the trailer. We have been trying to get this horse in to the trailer for well over a month now. When we try to get him to move his hind end over to be latched in he will try to turn around and walk out in a panic. He ties great to the outside the the trailer and will stand there with no problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks -Dana

PaintsQH · 08-14-2008, 06:48 AM

I have the same problem with my TB mare. What has worked for me somewhat to try to give her confidence to go in and not be worried about getting out is teaching her to self load. Its some NH, and alot of people do this anyway. If he knows the go forward cue, lift the lead, cluck to him and allow him to go in. Start with just letting him put his front feet in and stand there without any pressure. If you can load him and just let him stand there, relax, give him a treat if he has done good and is calm. Im not saying bribe, but a pat or a treat when he is focusing on you, not trying to get out. JMO My mare will do that, but is always looking behind her as she is a very insecure horse. Trying to get Trooper to have some confidence is going to be helpful. Can you get him to pay attention to you on the ground as in looking at you and not everywhere else? I can get my mare in the trailer, but she is like Trooper, will stand there, but wants to freek if she thinks you are going to tie her. I got rid of my slant load as it was too dangerous for me and her. I didnt want to get squashed as she moved all over the place trying to get out. I dont know if I will ever get her over her issues. She isnt stubborn, but down right scared. Can you get trailer ties with the quick release snaps? Or have a lead already tied and ready, or does he freak when you tie him? I feel for you, its a hard one

~*Trooper*~ · 08-14-2008, 10:03 AM

Thanks for your help.. He will pay attention to me on the ground without looking everywhere else. I have the quick release snaps and they are already tied in there. I am trying to take it one step at a time because Trooper often takes longer to teach things. When we get him in the trailer he will stand there with no problem. When I get him in the trailer I have treats ready in my pocket to reward him with. When we tie him outside the trailer or anywhere else he is fine but when we tie him in the trailer he pulls back and try's to turn around. This is very frustrating

...

fishing_trex · 08-14-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~*Trooper*~

Hello I have three horses.. We just got a new horse trailer. It is a 4 horse slant load. 2 out of our 3 horses will go into the trailer and can be locked up and tied. Our one horse Trooper will go in and stand there with no problem we have shook the trailer made all kinds of noise in and on the outside of the trailer. We can not get Trooper to allow us to tie him and lock him into the trailer. We have been trying to get this horse in to the trailer for well over a month now. When we try to get him to move his hind end over to be latched in he will try to turn around and walk out in a panic. He ties great to the outside the the trailer and will stand there with no problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks -Dana

I hope you are trying to lock him in BEFORE you tie him (from your post I wasn't sure). If you are, be sure to close the butt bar before tying him up.

Some horses get claustrophobic when too close to walls. Is there a stall or some place you can work by having him stand next to the wall? It may be what I call a "squeeze" issue. I had a similar problem with an older gelding. I taught him a cue to go over against the wall then gave him that cue in the trailer. Worked like a charm.

~*Trooper*~ · 08-14-2008, 03:39 PM

Yes we try to close the door before tying him in but so far can't even close the door. I am going to try to do the "squeeze" method. It seems like it would work for him. He is a very difficult horse to train and I have tried all the methods but this one so far.

Slim Pikkens · 08-16-2008, 02:56 PM

Why not just feed him in the trailer for a week before you need to haul? This way he can go in and out as hunger dictates. Then I'd try putting him in the front stall and swing the divider out so he gets used to it, if only for half a minute. Sometimes progress in inches results in leaps and bounds progress.

PaintsQH · 08-16-2008, 06:10 PM

Ive always tied before latching the slant, but only have one horse who wont even stay in long enough to get the slant across. Even if I could, she would start banging around. Too dangerous IMO for a scared horse..Plus not all slant load trailers have an escape door for each stall. How do you tie the horse up when you cant reach over the top of the slant? If the horse is scared, she pushes the slant over, he is loose, the horse starts getting freaked out, putting his head under the slant,tries to turn around, etc, isnt that just as dangerous? Its kind of hard to move a 1000lb animal over who doesnt want to anyway without getting yourself squashed. Im not a big fan of slant/combo trailers with no escape door.

EquineAlberta · 08-16-2008, 07:57 PM

Can you take out dividers in your trailer? If so, take one or two out, and try shutting him in with one of the further back dividers so he has a box stall. I agree with the other methods for getting him used to being squeezed, but this is a way to get him trailerable sooner in case of emergency. Have you tried putting a hay net in or a food bucket to distract him a little once he is in?

I am with Fishing Trex....close gate then tie. If you can't do that, get a new trailer. It can be a HUGE wreck if your horse pulls back when tied in a trailer.

Karen

TikiGator · 08-16-2008, 08:00 PM

Ugh.

Well, that's my #1 reason for not owning a slant-load. I agree with you paintsQH, I tie first. Because my horses will go straight to the ground to sniff, therefore getting their head under the chest bar or even worse, the side divider. If I'm ever afraid the horse won't tie, i hold his head while someone latches the butt bar. But I am not a fan of leaving a horse loose in a trailer EVER even for a second unless it's a stock or box stall.

Some horses don't fit well in slant-loads. They feel crammed and too confined. I have large horses, and NONE OF THEM have ever fit well in a slant. They do make a draft slant, but then you have to have it custom to 8 feet wide and it's a PITA. So that's why I have a straightload...the bigger horses just fit better.

I would just try to be patient, lots of scratches, pets and treats. Or.....is there a way that you could put the horse in the last slant? Closest to the back door? Isn't that 'stall' usually a big wider?

~*Trooper*~ · 08-16-2008, 08:40 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I just got a Clinton Anderson Aussie tie so that if the horse does pull back hard enough it will give but not all the way. My friend uses it and she says she doesn't go anywhere without it. Hopefully with this tie it will be easier for me to tie him in without a panic from me and the horse. I will panic about his safety with him kicking and at least trying to rear. I can take the dividers out too. I was thinking about doing that. He is getting a lot better now and is so close. The stall by the back door is a lot bigger. It would also be good because we wont have to close the divider on him just the door... I think I will try to get him in the last stall... Thanks again - Dana

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
stock trailer v. closed trailer	babycakes	Tack, Apparel and Equipment	16	01-29-2008 01:12 PM
did it work?	ray	General Horse Advice	2	09-08-2005 09:14 AM

08-13-2008, 09:01 PM
~Trooper~ Halter broke Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 189	Trailer Problem Hello I have three horses.. We just got a new horse trailer. It is a 4 horse slant load. 2 out of our 3 horses will go into the trailer and can be locked up and tied. Our one horse Trooper will go in and stand there with no problem we have shook the trailer made all kinds of noise in and on the outside of the trailer. We can not get Trooper to allow us to tie him and lock him into the trailer. We have been trying to get this horse in to the trailer for well over a month now. When we try to get him to move his hind end over to be latched in he will try to turn around and walk out in a panic. He ties great to the outside the the trailer and will stand there with no problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks -Dana Last edited by ~Trooper~ : 08-16-2008 at 11:24 AM.

08-14-2008, 06:48 AM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,442	I have the same problem with my TB mare. What has worked for me somewhat to try to give her confidence to go in and not be worried about getting out is teaching her to self load. Its some NH, and alot of people do this anyway. If he knows the go forward cue, lift the lead, cluck to him and allow him to go in. Start with just letting him put his front feet in and stand there without any pressure. If you can load him and just let him stand there, relax, give him a treat if he has done good and is calm. Im not saying bribe, but a pat or a treat when he is focusing on you, not trying to get out. JMO My mare will do that, but is always looking behind her as she is a very insecure horse. Trying to get Trooper to have some confidence is going to be helpful. Can you get him to pay attention to you on the ground as in looking at you and not everywhere else? I can get my mare in the trailer, but she is like Trooper, will stand there, but wants to freek if she thinks you are going to tie her. I got rid of my slant load as it was too dangerous for me and her. I didnt want to get squashed as she moved all over the place trying to get out. I dont know if I will ever get her over her issues. She isnt stubborn, but down right scared. Can you get trailer ties with the quick release snaps? Or have a lead already tied and ready, or does he freak when you tie him? I feel for you, its a hard one __________________ My treasures do not clink, they gleam in the sunlight and neigh in the night Last edited by PaintsQH : 08-14-2008 at 06:50 AM.

08-14-2008, 10:03 AM
~Trooper~ Halter broke Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 189	Thanks for your help.. He will pay attention to me on the ground without looking everywhere else. I have the quick release snaps and they are already tied in there. I am trying to take it one step at a time because Trooper often takes longer to teach things. When we get him in the trailer he will stand there with no problem. When I get him in the trailer I have treats ready in my pocket to reward him with. When we tie him outside the trailer or anywhere else he is fine but when we tie him in the trailer he pulls back and try's to turn around. This is very frustrating...

08-14-2008, 03:39 PM
~Trooper~ Halter broke Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 189	Yes we try to close the door before tying him in but so far can't even close the door. I am going to try to do the "squeeze" method. It seems like it would work for him. He is a very difficult horse to train and I have tried all the methods but this one so far.

08-16-2008, 02:56 PM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,948	Why not just feed him in the trailer for a week before you need to haul? This way he can go in and out as hunger dictates. Then I'd try putting him in the front stall and swing the divider out so he gets used to it, if only for half a minute. Sometimes progress in inches results in leaps and bounds progress.

08-16-2008, 06:10 PM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,442	Ive always tied before latching the slant, but only have one horse who wont even stay in long enough to get the slant across. Even if I could, she would start banging around. Too dangerous IMO for a scared horse..Plus not all slant load trailers have an escape door for each stall. How do you tie the horse up when you cant reach over the top of the slant? If the horse is scared, she pushes the slant over, he is loose, the horse starts getting freaked out, putting his head under the slant,tries to turn around, etc, isnt that just as dangerous? Its kind of hard to move a 1000lb animal over who doesnt want to anyway without getting yourself squashed. Im not a big fan of slant/combo trailers with no escape door. __________________ My treasures do not clink, they gleam in the sunlight and neigh in the night

08-16-2008, 07:57 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,470	Can you take out dividers in your trailer? If so, take one or two out, and try shutting him in with one of the further back dividers so he has a box stall. I agree with the other methods for getting him used to being squeezed, but this is a way to get him trailerable sooner in case of emergency. Have you tried putting a hay net in or a food bucket to distract him a little once he is in? I am with Fishing Trex....close gate then tie. If you can't do that, get a new trailer. It can be a HUGE wreck if your horse pulls back when tied in a trailer. Karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?

08-16-2008, 08:00 PM
TikiGator Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 449	Ugh. Well, that's my #1 reason for not owning a slant-load. I agree with you paintsQH, I tie first. Because my horses will go straight to the ground to sniff, therefore getting their head under the chest bar or even worse, the side divider. If I'm ever afraid the horse won't tie, i hold his head while someone latches the butt bar. But I am not a fan of leaving a horse loose in a trailer EVER even for a second unless it's a stock or box stall. Some horses don't fit well in slant-loads. They feel crammed and too confined. I have large horses, and NONE OF THEM have ever fit well in a slant. They do make a draft slant, but then you have to have it custom to 8 feet wide and it's a PITA. So that's why I have a straightload...the bigger horses just fit better. I would just try to be patient, lots of scratches, pets and treats. Or.....is there a way that you could put the horse in the last slant? Closest to the back door? Isn't that 'stall' usually a big wider? __________________ Laura at Tikigator Farm Naples, FL www.tikigatorfarm.com

08-16-2008, 08:40 PM
~Trooper~ Halter broke Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 189	Thanks for all the replies. I just got a Clinton Anderson Aussie tie so that if the horse does pull back hard enough it will give but not all the way. My friend uses it and she says she doesn't go anywhere without it. Hopefully with this tie it will be easier for me to tie him in without a panic from me and the horse. I will panic about his safety with him kicking and at least trying to rear. I can take the dividers out too. I was thinking about doing that. He is getting a lot better now and is so close. The stall by the back door is a lot bigger. It would also be good because we wont have to close the divider on him just the door... I think I will try to get him in the last stall... Thanks again - Dana