2 of my 3 horses dislike backing out of my 3 horse slant trailer(featherlite 8546) because of the unknown "step down". 1 of them must always be loaded first because he has to turn to come out. Should i be working them through this somehow , or should i just make it easy on everyone and get a ramp installed?
Posted 2011-08-19 7:01 PM (#136802 - in reply to #136797) Subject: RE: trailer unloading ramp
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
What doughbelly said may be true but I know my horses like my ramp trailers much better than my friend's step up trailer. They are always a bit tentative to back out of my ramp trailers after riding in the step up. Once they realize that they are back in the ramp trailer, no more issues. Teaching the horse a 'down' cue may be helpful so they know the next step will be a lot lower.
Posted 2011-08-19 9:42 PM (#136805 - in reply to #136795) Subject: RE: trailer unloading ramp
Member
Posts: 17
I would highly recommend training them to step back. We bought a little horse while at a trail ride, he loaded quite nicely in my "auxiliary" little 2 horse straight load. Apparently he'd never been taught to back. (to back AT ALL, not just out of a trailer!) It was a hell of a wreck when he tried to turn around, then got high centered on the divider and ended up stuck upside down! He's ok, but 'twas a mess! What I did with him (and with the next horse I got, who also didn't know how to back!) was to first teach them to back nicely from the ground. Then I parked the trailer on a hill to where the step was very small. Once they figured out the ground would really be there, I worked my way to a taller drop off. They will now load and unload themselves just fine. My opinion, (for whatever it's worth, probably not much!!) is to be sure they will back out when you need them to. I've had occasion on trails to have to back down something as well, and that's definitely not the best time to train them! Good luck either way!
Posted 2011-08-19 9:43 PM (#136806 - in reply to #136805) Subject: RE: trailer unloading ramp
Member
Posts: 17
I also add the "step" as a command. I tell them to back until they reach the edge, then "step" and they know they're at the end. It worked well for me anyway!
Posted 2011-08-20 4:33 AM (#136811 - in reply to #136795) Subject: RE: trailer unloading ramp
Veteran
Posts: 165 Location: Western Ar
Ramp or Steps your going to have issues to deal with and either one is really just a part of having a broke horse. I can remember as a kid a lot of the Old Timers hauled their horses and mules in the back of a pickup with stock racks.
Posted 2011-08-20 10:06 AM (#136814 - in reply to #136795) Subject: RE: trailer unloading ramp
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
more of a training issue.... ours back in a relaxed manner til they get to the step down, if I am in front of them I stop them immediately before stepping down, and say "easy"... they are very relaxed about it. We also have a runabout 2 horse, and when I open the door and let down the butt bar, I have their tail in hand and ask them to back out, saying again "easy". Work on this til they will step down with their back feet, and stand relaxed with their forehand still in the trailer... this is very helpful... good luck in whichever way you go.
Posted 2011-08-20 5:00 PM (#136822 - in reply to #136795) Subject: RE: trailer unloading ramp
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
My horse always loaded great. now he is getting arthritic and is having trouble loading into a step up. He also nows does not like to un-load as he doesn't like not being able to feel the ground until his foot hits it.
Your situation is definately a training thing though. Teach him on the ground and the word "back". You can start with a step up made out of dirt and rail-road tie. Teach him to back up with this or use a bridge that is made for trail classes and start there.
Posted 2011-08-21 1:39 PM (#136843 - in reply to #136795) Subject: RE: trailer unloading ramp
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
If you have something around the stable like a curb, or a slightly raised area, you can work on them to grasp the "step" as the reach it, without being inside the trailer. Walk them forward, then back them off. I had actual street curbs where I used to live, so I'd stepp front feet only on it, then stop, then back off, then work up to stepping all four, then backing off giv ing a STEP command. Then when you get them in the trailer situation, and you go to back out, if you did your homework well, saying step, and I do a little check on the lead, then grasp it, and step down
I loved my ramp trailer, and still prefer them, but my boys have learned the STEP command for backing out the current non ramp trailer. (although I am always watching for a deal on a ramp)
Posted 2011-08-22 7:31 AM (#136864 - in reply to #136795) Subject: RE: trailer unloading ramp
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
We have never had a problem with horses using a ramp or stepping on or off a trailer..... We've even taught ours to load backing up the side ramp then turning and backing into they're stall. Just takes about 5 minutes and a little patients.... Pretty much never open the rear of the two horse GORE, alway use the side ramp to load and unload.
We'll back them in from the side/front and walk them out forward, side/front.
Posted 2011-08-22 10:43 AM (#136870 - in reply to #136795) Subject: RE: trailer unloading ramp
Veteran
Posts: 165 Location: Western Ar
we will haul 6 to 8 head of new colts every year; the initial load process takes 15 to 30 mins; 5 to 10 mins there after for a couple of loadings. We do not particulary worry about any commands; basically get your butt on and get off. We will at the edge of the step down point, tell them easy. After a horse has been hauled several times he very well knows where that step is going to be. Once the habit starts then it a lot harder to correct.
Posted 2011-08-22 10:47 AM (#136871 - in reply to #136795) Subject: RE: trailer unloading ramp
Veteran
Posts: 165 Location: Western Ar
As far as the not backing up that is an issue that should be taken up during the Halter breaking process. Just my opinion and it works for me. I get through working a horse and if the trailer is their and the doors are open you turn them loose and they will gladly load theirself.
trailer unloading ramp
