Franklin Levinson's
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Won't go in the trailer
Franklin,
I know you are a busy man, so I will keep it short and quick. Just bought a 4 year old Palomino who has never been off the farm where I board him. He is a big baby, who though only ridden four times in his life before I bought him, has never offered to be any trouble. But he will not load in my two horse gooseneck. I have him walking into a stock trailer, but he will not go in mine. I have made some progress, but he will not step in. I had a friend who I thought could help, try, but he tried to tie his head and he went wild. I think this has set me back (I have not asked my friend for help since).
I'm using the tap in the top of his croup, He is walking between the trailer and a piece of plywood, but not the trailer. How long will this take and do you have any advice.
God's blessing and HELP,
Larry Kihnley
Hi Larry,
Sounds like your friend didn't do you any good. I do not use restraint at any time. I do not know what "the tap in the top of the croup" is, but I don't think I like the sound of it. I barely touch a horse when I train to load. First thing is to get the horse lunging really good on a lead rope. Practice lunging in front of the trailer. Practice asking the horse to walk straight ahead as well as to go around you in a circle. Practice 'sending' the horse in and out of a few gates and over low jumps and rails on the ground. Lunge the horse in front of the trailer opening. At some point ask him to move to the entrance and just stand there and be peaceful. You are not in front of the horse, but rather lunging him (sending) him forward. After he stands at the entrance to the trailer for a minute resting, clearly and gently encourage the horse to step up into the trailer. If he just tries a little like leaning forward, taking one little step up or moves closer to the entrance, drop all pressure and say "good boy". If you get no effort or 'try' at all being to lunge him again for 5 minutes, then ask him to go up to the entrance again and a little closer or one/two little steps up. If he does give a good boy, rest a minute or three and then ask for a little more.
The horse only gets a rest if he tries a little. Reward every little try with a short rest and a "good boy" Do you understand this process? Once you begin the process, be prepared to stay with it until the horse walks in the trailer. The longest session I have ever had was four hours. Usually I can get a horse in a trailer within 30 minutes to an hour at the most. But I am prepared to go whatever distance (time) is required. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck and please let me know how it all goes. If you don't know about the lunging or sending the horse forward, I can talk you through it with a phone call coaching session. Let me know if you have any interest.
Sincerely, Franklin
Dear Franklin,
You may recall my e-mailing you about my 4-year-old Palomino who would not load in my two-horse gooseneck trailer. He would load in a stock trailer but every time I led him to my two horse he would bend his neck and turn sideways. I had read and searched the net for answers and then e-mailed you. I think it is worth noting I had been trying to load him on and off for two months with no success. After reading your e-mail it took me 30 minutes and he was in!!!!! Thank you so much!!! I also wanted to know if you have anything scheduled near the Louisville, Kentucky area. I would love to see you work with horses in person.
Thanks again and God's blessing, Larry