Baily Noche is on of a kind

[Boyd R]

Today with the weather so beautiful, I figured I would work with Rebel and possibly Noche with loading. Well went out to get them and Pluma was laying down for a nap so I joined her. If you don't have a Pluma ya just don't have a life.
Since no horse likes to get in my trailer the first time anyway. Rebel surprised me and had no issues loading, I figured this was so good I would go get Noche and bring myself down. Well got him to the trailer but he was so nervous that Rebel decided not to do a demo on how easy it was and that there are treats up in the front to nibble on.

With a little effort I got Reb up and in. then it was time for Noche. Hooked 2 repelling ropes to his halter, up through the tie eyelet and back out. I know some may not like it but I have found a horse that figures out he can pull and escape becomes a horse with more problems to fix. And I knew that this would be the first thing he would do and of course he did. He laid back 3 times before he decided forward was the direction of least resistance. Once in I backed Reb out and in several times to make sure he had the hang of it and Noche would be use to it to. Then it was Noches turn again. This time one good layback and bounced right back into the trailer. rewarded him frome the escape door and backed him out again. Qued him in and he jumped in. Rewarded him and asked him to back out. I walked to the back and gave a kiss and he jumped back in.

Then my daughter called me to answer the phone. So as I am on the porch talking I see Noche back out on his own but just stands there. Within a few moments Eileen walks around the trailer to go to her vehicle to leave and without asking him Noche jumped back into the trailer. Before she could leave Noche backs out of the trailer again and as she passes him he jumps back into the trailer.

Before I could finish my call he is back out agian and this time he makes a run for it. I finished my call and went to get him. He runs straight for the trailer and jumps in.

We went from a situaion where he could have fought the rope and broke his neck or back to loading himself in no more than 30 minutes. Ya got to love him. Oh and yes he got a suger cookie for his efforts.

[Jane Hurl]

Man, I wish that would work with my little Misty mare. She'd lay back on the rope 'til she broke her neck, I fear.

I've not been able to get her in a trailer for years....not that I try anymore.

[Boyd R]

It is definatly scary and my heart goes into my throat when they sit down on it but I have seen so many horses that have injured themselves and others around them by breakin halters and leads just because they know they can. If they know they can't they don't try.

[NAtlanta]

Boyd, how was the ride yesterday?

You are certainly correct about those horses that think they can break a halter... they become dangerous for everyone around!!!! Glad to hear that Noche is coming along. They are both beautiful horses.

[motorgypsy]

GREAT Boyd!!

We have to put two rope halters and two longe lines on Arwen because she's broken so many. When she breaks them she doesn't go anywhere. Just stands there. But it got expensive and once we used two she was fine.

[Boyd R]

It went well. Luckily only a light rain. We blew a trailer tire on the way down. 6 others showed up for the ride and we rode I would think about 10 miles and had a good time. It was definatly refreshin riding with all Pasos and no incompetent riders.

[CarolU]

Congratulations Boyd - I guess. I have seen horses break their legs doing that...they fly back and the back legs slide under the trailer, breaking them when they try to get up. I've seen this same accident twice, so it must be fairly common. Maybe your trailer has a ramp and this isn't a concern. Also, I had Baby rear up doing this and smash her head open on the top of the trailer - and needed stitches.

I'd certainly use other methods before this one if I had a choice. Luckily I do now.

I used to load this way years ago, but changed to Parelli's method and it's much less traumatic on me and the horses. It is the same/similar to Cowboy Ed's method which is also Clinton Anderson's method. I think Ed has it typed up and can send to you.

But I fully agree with you that trailer loading should be TAUGHT ahead of time, NOT when you want to go somewhere. Give the horse every chance of success, don't be in a hurry and take the time to train it before you NEED it.

I was taught a very good method to get horses that pull back to stop. You run a 1" thick soft cotton rope through the halter ring, between the front legs, around the barrel of the chest so it sits directly behind the withers, and then tie it under the legs in a NON-slip knot. Then tie the horse up fairly short to something stout. The horse will quit pulling back VERY quickly once he finds the pressure is behind his withers. That's a go forward area for pressure. Once he steps forward the rope will slack and he'll have his release. I'd tie a horse this way several times until they quit pulling back. This works very well.

[ErinC]

I start them just for the fun of it, and as a leading game, never had an issue,
YOUNG is best , my little guy goes on and off, and ties great.

[Boyd R]

I know Carol. I do try other methods first and have seen first hand horses get hurt pulling. He ties fine. We have done extensive work with these two every night getting them ready. I have a flat bed trailer we even practice them on. Noche has an issue about being told what to do and will fight not to. He is not scared of the trailer, He proved that himself. he just knows If I pull I get my way. he is learning that I ask nice and give him every chance to agree but it will be done my way. He is catching on quick.

[Boyd R]

Erin wouldn't it be great if all breaders done that. Only breed as many as they can work with. Rather than never touch them till they break them and then make a quick possibly cheap sale to someone that isn't right for the horse.

[paintedhorizon]

Boyd, that's great news about Noche! What does his owner say about all of this? How is his pain issue?

[baileyholc]

:razz: Thats Great Boyd, YEPEE! FOR NOCHE! Reading your post brought tears to my eyes. That is so great. I hope he continues to get better and better for you. :D

[motorgypsy]

We use two longe lines with rope halter. Put the lines through the opposite windows of the horse trailer and tug with two of us holding the ropes - they are never tied and we ignore them other than to be sure they are lined up correctly. The horse can always back up so they don't slip down. If they step forward we stop tugging for a few seconds. If they back up we tug harder until they move back up. There is always feed in the trailer for them when they go in. Also our trailer is 7 feet tall so our guys don't come near the top. It's so much better if you can take your time though.

Some of ours have taken up to two hours to load but most take 45 minutes to an hour the first time, 15 minutes the second and no problems after that.

We did try the circle them around if they don't load technique with Chinook and each time we'd circle her she's park further from the trailer. We had to laugh at her - she was sooo slick.

[Boyd R]

I don't use he leads to pull. I cue them as in training but. I don't tie them either. I use them to stop them from backing. they get to the end and pull, when they release, no more pressure. then I begin cueing forward again. If for some reason they go down then I can release. Circleing to me is as bad as letting them pull away. A bad habbit that leads to danger. when ever one trys to circle they get backed up into position. Never let to come around.

he is still showing pain issues. Which I expected. This is an old problem as I thought and will take some time to get out. Cavelleties and butt massages to loosen up his styfles, and groin. I haven't heard from his owner. And I won't bother him until Noche is where I want him. We put both Noche and rebel in with Little Man. And he is more than happy to make them exersize. And Vickie will be by this week to do a follow up.