Backing out of Trailer

Question
Hi I have a 13 year old Arabian who is a "trouble loader" when it comes to trailering. Growing up we never had access to a trailer all the time. The only time we trailered was to the vet. When we bought "Romeo" he was a yearling and loading perfectly. (I think he was abused.) So now my husband and I bought a 3 horse angle haul so I can start taking my horses places. In the fall we had to "chase" him into the trailer. He has been very hard to load, he backs, rears and tried to kick. Since we bought the trailer we used a butt rope and now he loads no problem. But the problem comes once he is inside, he immediately backs out and does not give us a chance to close him in. (In the past it has been as soon as he's in, quickly close the door.) So now, he's has been loading well and we took him with another on of our horses just for little trips and back home to get him used to trailering. Well one evening we went to the local riding arena for the first time and all went well until we had to load him to go home. It took us over an hour and a stranger helped us out. We had to back the trailer to a corral and close a gate right behind him. The other horse was inside already. So after putting 2 feet in and backing out for about 5 or 6 times he finally just walked in and I closed him in the divider. No problem, he didn't even try backing out. So now I am trying to get him used to this and when I get him in the trailer (after a while) he gets in takes a bite of a treat and immediately backs out! And it is fast! He won't even give me a chance to get him in the front divider or close the door. I have learned to be patient and have been determined to get him in the trailer. That has helped but now how do I get him used to standing calmly in the trailer? I don't want him to be scared that he has to leave right away.
I would appreciate any advice. I have gone on the Internet and searched and there are so many answers about how to get him in. But I think his issue is being "locked" in the trailer. And there is no advice on that.
Thank you so much for your help!


Answer
Hi Lacey!

This issue is more about leading and confidence than loading.  If your horse is really leading well, knows how to give to pressure, trusts you a leader and feels confident, loading is a non-issue.

Heres what we are going to do...I want you to take the time it takes and really TEACH your horse how to lead/load, and how to stand with confidence.  I'm going to give you some "right now" things to do and then some long range things that are really important and that will really make a difference.  I want you to really make a commitment to this.  

Take a day when you are not trying to load and go somewhere.  This is an education day and you may need several depending on your feel and timing.  First, prepare your trailer.  Make it a safe and comfortable environment for you horse.  Put good hay in the feeder, some carrots, grain what ever you horse really enjoys.  Here is the reason...I was having a conversation with one of my teachers, Ray Hunt, and I was asking about trailering and having food and treats in my trailer.  Ray's response was that if he were to come to my house for a visit, as a good hostess, I would naturally offer him a cup of coffee and maybe a cookie.  I would make him feel welcome.  It is the same thing trailering your horse.  You want your horse to feel welcome in your trailer.  It needs to be a comfortable, nice, cozy place that your horse wants to be and wants to visit.  Simple.  You are NOT bribing you horse into the trailer.  You are not holding the carrot up to his nose trying to trick him in.  You are however offering a great environment once he is IN the trailer.  Make sense!?!

So, trailer prepped, put on a good rope halter with a 12' tree line lead (I like double diamond, you can find them on the web).  The tree line has just the right weight and feel.  Walk up to your trailer and step right on in EXPECTING that your horse lead right on in with you.  If he anchors up and stops, keep a feel on the halter that says "keep coming"!  DO NOT release the pressure until your horse makes an effort to follow you.  This may be as little as just rocking his weight forward.  REWARD!  Release the pressure and get soft.  You must reward the slightest effort and the smallest try on the part of the horse.  Be looking for the slightest try!  Remember, your feel and timing here are critical!  If you miss the tries, the horse will quit trying!  Now, ask him to come forward again.  Keep holding a feel that says "come on", but not so much that it feels like you are wenching him into the trailer.  Getting in has to be your idea BECOMING his idea.  Keep up this pattern of asking and releasing for each try.  When he really puts some effort into stepping up with one foot, RUB him.  Make that effort really feel good to him and then back the one foot right out.  Try and back the foot off BEFORE he takes it off.  Then go right back to asking him to come forward again.  I also want you to take some time and step away from the trailer and just go for a walk, do some other ground work, or just hang out away from the trailer for a bit.  This again is where your timing is critical.  I'm not there to feel what the horse needs so YOU will have to find it.  Take a walk let him really let down and then go back to the trailer and start again.  Ask and release, get one foot in back out, two feet in and back out, three feet and back out, four feet and back out.  Make sure your are rubbing him soft and smooth and really giving him support and comfort.  When you are getting all four feet in and out smooth step him further up into the trailer.  Allow him to sample the snacks  that are waiting there, then back out.  Keep this up until he is really looking forward to stepping into the trailer.  Allow him to stand just long enough to relax, rub him soft and smooth.  If you feel his energy coming up to the point you FEEL he MAY start leaving...take him out while he is still mostly relaxed BEFORE he leaves!  Again this is critical.  This may be a good place to stop for the day if you need to.  If you can do more stay with it.  Step him back into the trailer and allow him to relax, then start working at rubbing him back on his body, from neck to shoulder to flank to bumm.   The instant you feel he is getting bothered, back him out and start over.  Keep working your way back and eventually start moving the door.  There may be a time when he feels that he wants to leave, see if you can get his feet to stop, if you don't feel that you can back on out!  While you are in the trailer, during one of the times he is eating and relaxing, back him up but not all of the way out and then step him forward again.  Do this several times so you both know that every step back does not mean leave the trailer.  Go forward and back several times then allowing him to step forward and have more treats.  Don't hand feed in the trailer.  If he wants the goodies, he has to step up and eat them, relaxed.  Continue this pattern for as many days in a row as it takes to get your horse feeling comfortable and relaxed stepping into the trailer, standing quiet, opening and closing the divider door, then opening and closing the back door.  Keep doing all of these things not making him stand for long periods, just keeping a smooth rhythm and flow to all of it.  Again, this really demands your attention to feel and timing.  

I don't tie my horses in the trailer.  When you close the divider...where are they going to go???  I want to toss the lead rope over their backs, have them step in and wait while I fuss around and close the door.  I want the whole thing to be routine, relaxed and commonplace.  This is what I want for you and the feel I want you to be working for!  

Now for the homework.  Please watch the "Ground Work" DVD by Buck Brannaman.  This will show you ALL of the things your horse needs to be doing in order to become the performance horse you are really looking for.  It is how to communicate with the horse in a way that is meaningful to the horse.  It will also show you how to use your flag/tarp/slicker in order to build the confidence you horse is lacking.  

Give these things a try and then give me a shout and let me know how things are going!  If you need a clarification on any techniques I've shared with you, let me know and I'll walk you through it!  You can do it and you can have a confident, secure horse.  Keep me posted!

Smiles,

Denise

Hi again Lacey!

Just "google" Buck Brannaman and his site will pop up.  You can also go to my website www.laurelmountainfarms.com and all of the links will be on my "favorites" page.  Buck's wife Mary, runs Houlihan Horse Gear, and the DVD's will be there also.  I am so happy that you are making a commitment to this.  Just wonderful for you and your horse!

Smiles, Denise