 Letters Of The Month: January, 2005
Hello Frank:
I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for a wonderful experience. I was suprised that other than Page and myself how little experience the participants had with horses. Perhaps the best feeling I got at the clinic was seeing those people smiling and the surge in confidence that at some point covered their faces. In addition, I am amazed that you could get that many people together who all appeared to be genuinely good folks. Perhaps they were a direct reflection of you and your leadership.
Happy trails,
Clifford A.
Willis Lamb is a mustang expert who sheds some light on trailer loading. We like to pass along valuable tidbits as we all continue to learn from each other - Frank
Just like your safety system has its own logic, so does trailer loading.
THE TWO PRIMARY RULES OF TRAILER LOADING:
- Rule #1: You don't teach your horse to load while at the trailer. Everything you do with your horse away from the trailer teaches him to either load or not load when you get to the trailer.
- Rule #2: If your horse won't willingly load into a trailer on a light lead, please refer to Rule #1.
It's really as simple as this.
Start by teaching the horse (and handler) the Seven Steps. (The Seven Steps also makes for a great " pre flight check" as well as a refresher.)
Next work on reliable and consistent forward motion on the ground on a light lead or by visual cues (no lead.) Set up the activities so the horse can frequently " win" and get positive feedback.
Next establish reliable and consistent forward motion through a variety of obstacles and confining situations on a light lead or by visual cues (no lead.) Set up the activities so the horse can frequently " win" and get positive feedback.
Approach the trailer with the same confidence as any other obstacle. Get reliable and consistent forward motion toward the trailer on a light lead. Set up the approaches so that the horse can frequently " win" and get positive feedback. Only use negative feedback if the horse becomes unruly or tries to leave the area of the trailer.
Use approach and retreat. (Ask the horse to back up before he feels the need to back up.)
If the horse balks at the trailer don't pull the horse. Just prevent the horse from turning away. Take and give. If necessary get someone to apply pressure from behind but synchronize that pressure so that it only reinforces the handler's " ask" for forward motion. (Handler asks, support person shakes flag until horse takes a step.) The timing of support pressure is critical.
Some horses need to see the handler walk into the trailer in front of them until they get used to the spatial dynamics.
I want to reward the horse for walking into the trailer (positive feedback) and ask him back out before he gets anxious. We'll stay in a little longer on each rep.
I use the verbal cue, " Step Up" when loading horses. Eventually I want to be able to be standing behind the trailer, point to it and simply say, " Step Up" to load the horse.
I want to be able to walk away from the trailer and have the horse stand in there with the rear gate open until I ask him out. (Usually a little hay or grain left in the trailer helps in this regard.) If I see a new horse start to think about exiting the trailer, I'll walk over and call him out so it's not like exiting is only his idea.
- Willis
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