KBR Horse Training Information Exercising Body AND Mind Trailering Made Easy

PUTTING THEORY INTO PRACTICE

We started out the actual loading session by doing some basic longe work in the proximity of the trailer, but not so close to it that it affected our work. We did not run in mindless circles, but conducted a good longe line workout. The intent here was not to "wear down" the horse, but rather to get him into "learning mode" using an activity which is both familiar to him and that will facilitate getting him to load. (For effective longe position tips, see Round Corral Logic.) We longed going in both directions. We also let the circle drift around a bit so that Stormy had opportunities to observe the trailer from a number of different angles as we worked. As we "drifted" we, eased off a little bit as he moved closer to the trailer so that he could scope it out, but we also kept his mind occupied with transitions, reverses, etc. As we got even closer to the trailer, we gave him opportunities to actually stop and investigate it by letting up on the pressure as he approached it, but we kept on longeing him any time he chose to pass by it.

In this next photo we have let Stormy investigate the trailer. We set this up by longing near the left rear corner of the trailer and letting our energy go slack just as Stormy was trotting directly toward the ramp. This takes a little practice to get right. If Stormy passed passed up the ramp or ducked off the other way, no problem. We'd just go with it and keep him working. Eventually he figured out that the trailer is a pretty cool place to stop and rest. After a brief, relaxing sniff of the ramp, we sent him forward. We didn't expect him to just go straight into the trailer (which he didn't), and so we were prepared to continue longeing. Now that Stormy has approached the trailer, it's time for us to narrow down the choices. By changing my body position, he almost has to come up to the ramp. If he stops at the ramp, he can rest. If he goes past it, or steps away from it when I twirl the rope and send him forward, we simply resume the longe lesson. Each time he stops, I want him to move just a little bit more forward before I let off the pressure. In each case, he can decide whether to advance slightly more up the ramp before he stops or to continue longeing. Key Point: To effectively learn the horse has to make the correct choice. Our job is to create a scenario where he is likely to make the correct choice. Most horses will duck away from the trailer as an avoidance so it's no problem to send them out to longe until they discover that leaving the trailer means work. Others may figure out that it's easier to crowd you and stall out. In these cases you will need to send the horse off. The handler must take care that the end product of this "send-off" isn't the horse longeing the handler (the handler moving his/her feet more than the horse moves its feet.) We wave the horse off with our hands and then continue the stepping away process by shaking the rope and walking toward him, or twirling the rope end toward his nose, or both. We have changed to a completely different lesson now. We want to teach the horse to move off when we ask and reward good movement by inviting him back in for some nice rubs and scratches. Pressure-reward, pressure-reward. Crowding the handler produces negative reinforcement. Returning to a proper position produces positive reinforcement. Pretty soon he has the picture and we can send him out on the longe without a struggle. Key point: Teaching the horse not to crowd the handler is a critical element in trailer loading. A horse that doesn't want to load is going to look for escape routes on either side of the trailer. As a practical matter we tend to work from the opposite side of the rear trailer door, therefore the horse sees its opening just past its handler. Handlers get knocked down because horses haven't been taught not to crowd them. Therefore teaching a horse to properly load involves a number of safe behavior elements that apply in a variety of circumstances. Continue to: "Loading Up!"

Important Note: If you take on the project of developing an untrained horse, everybody will want to give you advice. Don't act on any advice, including the ideas offered in this site, unless it makes sense to you and fits your individual situation. Your abilities and the sensitivities of your horse(s) may differ from the examples given. Be alert and rational with your actions so neither you nor your horse will get hurt. This information is offered as illustrations of what we do and the reader must apply common sense since he or she is solely responsible for his or her actions. Happy trails!