Posted 2013-04-08 6:43 PM (#151185) Subject: Adding a side ramp to my sundowner stud stall
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Barnesville Ga
I have a horse that will only ride peacefully with butt forward. Could sell horse but gd would have fit. Best solution is maybe to have a ramp added to stud stall so we lead him in and open partition and lead out. I could use some advice. Thanks
Posted 2013-04-08 7:17 PM (#151188 - in reply to #151185) Subject: RE: Adding a side ramp to my sundowner stud stall
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Sounds like your horse has the upper hand.... Ours ride slant forward, backward, turned loose, we back them up the side and rear ramps and into the stalls.... They do seem to ride best in the 6 head to head with their full hay bags hanging nearby!! We teach them what we want, not the other way around. Be patient and teach your horse....
Posted 2013-04-08 8:15 PM (#151190 - in reply to #151185) Subject: RE: Adding a side ramp to my sundowner stud stall
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Barnesville Ga
Thanks, we continue to work with him, trainer works with him, walks right up doesn't bolt out, previous owner breeder says was in a trailer wreck. As I said butt toward no issue, head forward breaks out in sweat and freaks.
Posted 2013-04-09 10:21 AM (#151200 - in reply to #151185) Subject: RE: Adding a side ramp to my sundowner stud stall
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
Call the Sundowner plant at 800 654-3879 and ask for Anthony Holder. He can tell you whether it is feasible to add a side ramp on and existing Sundowner. I think you will find it is quite expensive to do so. I'm with Retento; it might take some time and patience, but he hopefully will get over his fright of riding forward in a slant load. Good luck!
Posted 2013-04-09 11:34 AM (#151201 - in reply to #151185) Subject: RE: Adding a side ramp to my sundowner stud stall
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322 Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
I have a horse that's the same way. I have no problem with working with the horse and I don't consider him having the upper hand because he's been trained to be respectful. My horses' problem with trailer loading has been man made and he's not forgotten his accident that cut through two muscles and an artery in his leg.
I have a friend that it drives him nuts that I don't tie him forward and I finally said to him the only person it bothers is you, the horse is happy, I'm happy and that's what counts. I've seen this horse in action and he's flipped backwards twice out of a trailer so he can be dangerous.
I've worked with a couple of trainers with his issue. Finally the second trainer had me teach him to drive in where I don't lead him. I ask him to go in, he turns himself around, I tie him in and shut the divider. I also didn't do anything different to my divider. We did train him to go in straight and be tied but he's happiest traveling backwards. The second trainer I worked with received Horsewoman of the Year for the State of Iowa this year so well respected and knowledgable.
This horse is the best horse I've ever ridden and it's taken hours and lots of patience working with him to get him good in the trailer and it's been well worth it. You can't tell this horse has had past issues and he's content in the trailer and has traveled ten hours in a trailer and comes out without appearing to have any stress. My trainer Ann and I both agree that if he's happy traveling that way, why not?
Posted 2013-04-13 7:34 PM (#151285 - in reply to #151185) Subject: RE: Adding a side ramp to my sundowner stud stall
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
You would benefit from having a reverse slant made. I knew some folks many years ago that had these and the horses really seemed to like them. They would load them in the side ramp and unload them out of the rear door. The horses, of course, faced reward in the slant instead of forward. This would probably be a better option than adding a ramp to your trailer. I have owned a trailer with a side ramp on the first stall. It will be a narrow, steep ramp. Our horses learned to negotiate it just fine but I'm not sure I would be comfortable with something fabricated as they used a lot of extra support in that area. Also, in a reverse slant, your short wall will be on the opposite side and allow for a larger ramp which would be safer overall. Good luck!
Posted 2013-04-15 6:39 PM (#151326 - in reply to #151185) Subject: RE: Adding a side ramp to my sundowner stud stall
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Barnesville Ga
Took him to a show this weekend, loaded head to the front for trip home. Never stopped working with him, side ramp is a fail safe but hope he continues to improve. Thanks for all advice. Still may trade for a head to head with a side ramp
Adding a side ramp to my sundowner stud stall
