Comments on: Trailer Training Is Not A Last Minute Task http://www.novicehorseman.com/wpblog/2008/09/24/trailer-training-is-not-a-last-minute-task/ Words of Encouragement for the Novice Horseman Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:18:57 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Dara Turner http://www.novicehorseman.com/wpblog/2008/09/24/trailer-training-is-not-a-last-minute-task/comment-page-1/#comment-3158 Dara Turner Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:18:57 +0000 http://novicehorseman.com/wpblog/?p=33#comment-3158 Hi Beth, Please don’t be put off by this story. I used this as a worst case scenario as to what can happen if you don't train on a consistent basis. This horse in this story was hardly ever used and the ONLY time he was ever trailered was to come to this stable and after several years, leave to go to another stable. Start your filly right with consistent positive training. If you are a novice, I would encourage you get some help from a horse savvy friend or professional in your area. I’m not sure as to how you are going to use the plywood. If you do use it, I would leave it flat on the ground and make sure it is thick. You don’t want it breaking the first time she steps on it. I’ve used a blue tarp for a different surface. Put some poles on at least 2 of the edges to keep it from flapping if there is a breeze. If you use either of these methods, don’t stop until she walks across it calmly & without hesitation. You want this to be a positive experience for your filly, so keep your cool. You are trying to build trust and a partnership. If you have the opportunity to use a trailer, remember to always leave it hooked to the truck or car. This will give the trailer more stability. When you finish your training session, make sure you clean out the trailer if your filly left any deposits. Hi Beth,
Please don’t be put off by this story. I used this as a worst case scenario as to what can happen if you don’t train on a consistent basis. This horse in this story was hardly ever used and the ONLY time he was ever trailered was to come to this stable and after several years, leave to go to another stable.
Start your filly right with consistent positive training. If you are a novice, I would encourage you get some help from a horse savvy friend or professional in your area. I’m not sure as to how you are going to use the plywood. If you do use it, I would leave it flat on the ground and make sure it is thick. You don’t want it breaking the first time she steps on it. I’ve used a blue tarp for a different surface. Put some poles on at least 2 of the edges to keep it from flapping if there is a breeze. If you use either of these methods, don’t stop until she walks across it calmly & without hesitation. You want this to be a positive experience for your filly, so keep your cool. You are trying to build trust and a partnership.
If you have the opportunity to use a trailer, remember to always leave it hooked to the truck or car. This will give the trailer more stability. When you finish your training session, make sure you clean out the trailer if your filly left any deposits.

]]> By: Beth Pitts http://www.novicehorseman.com/wpblog/2008/09/24/trailer-training-is-not-a-last-minute-task/comment-page-1/#comment-3157 Beth Pitts Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:14:30 +0000 http://novicehorseman.com/wpblog/?p=33#comment-3157 Oh, dear, not so sure that I am glad that I have read this!! I am trying to trailer train my 14 month old Tennessee Walker. Thanks for the tips...I will start out training without the trailer(don't have one). She is sweet, yet sometimes anxious filly. Just curious to know if anyone out there has tried using plywood to just get her used to stepping on a strange surface. Any other tips? Oh, dear, not so sure that I am glad that I have read this!! I am trying to trailer train my 14 month old Tennessee Walker. Thanks for the tips…I will start out training without the trailer(don’t have one). She is sweet, yet sometimes anxious filly. Just curious to know if anyone out there has tried using plywood to just get her used to stepping on a strange surface. Any other tips?

]]> By: Debbie http://www.novicehorseman.com/wpblog/2008/09/24/trailer-training-is-not-a-last-minute-task/comment-page-1/#comment-1976 Debbie Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:19:52 +0000 http://novicehorseman.com/wpblog/?p=33#comment-1976 From what little I have seen, trailering problems seem like one of the most common problems with a horse. I guess they just get scared. Also,using the same trailer all the time might help too. I'm not sure. So borrowing a trailer might be a problem if you don't have one. Anyway, thanks for the info. From what little I have seen, trailering problems seem like one of the most common problems with a horse. I guess they just get scared.

Also,using the same trailer all the time might help too. I’m not sure. So borrowing a trailer might be a problem if you don’t have one.

Anyway, thanks for the info.

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