Why We Were Having a Problem Loading Our Horse

I don't know why any horses get on trailers. I wouldn't. They must really trust us.

Lily's new horse, Markus, has never, ever gotten on our trailer on the first try. At first we cut him some slack. We have a step-in, slant-load trailer (very open, so it's well lit), and his former owner had a ramp-load trailer. We figured he wasn't used to a step-in and  it would just take some time. Soon he'd be hopping in, like Buddy.

But no. Time didn't help. Markus was never awful about it, but he never would step in on the first try. Sometimes not on the second. Sometimes not on the third. Things never escalated -- he never dragged Lily around or reared up or did anything terrible. He just failed to get in. 

We tried treats. He would not be bribed. I held a broom behind him, sweeping it in his direction. He went backwards, away from the door. If he wasn't so gentlemanly in his refusal to just go ahead and get in, we would have escalated. But since it was just a matter of walking around to the trailer door a lot, we dealt with it. I have to confess that he got popped with the leadrope a couple of times but it never seemed to make a difference. He would get in when he decided to get in. Usually by the third try. 

Then I learned something about Markus. At a lesson a couple of weeks ago Lily's teacher told her to quit jumping one jump they couldn't get quite right because Markus was beginning to get worried. I thought that was very perceptive. Yes, now that you mention it, the horse was worrying. He was jumping it fine -- he loves to jump and has a grand heart for working -- but repeating the effort, even though Lily hadn't quite worked out whatever they were working on on her position, was making Markus worry that he wasn't doing something right. So they quit and moved on to something else and Markus quit worrying.

I never thought about a horse worrying about not doing something right. But Lily's teacher was right. Markus tries so hard that if something isn't right, he worries.

You have to love Thoroughbreds. 

Yesterday it was time for another lesson, and we needed to load him in our trailer to haul him to the lesson farm. I started to stand in my usual position, sort of behind him and to the side. I saw him roll his eyes to look at me, and realized that he's not getting in the trailer because he's worried about me standing there!

So I told Lily to wait a minute, to give me time to move to the front of the truck where Markus wouldn't worry about me. And with me out of the way and out of sight, Markus walked right on.

After her lesson we did the same thing. Again, he walked right on. First time, both times.

We are loving this horse. He's all set to do his job -- we just need to get out of his way.

Comments

[winter]

Our mare Lily is a worrier too, and you're right, we just have to get out of their way!

[molly]

That's fantastic. Good reasoning on your part.
I think horses have all kinds of "feelings." Besides worry, I think they get embarrassed when someone falls off. Sometimes, that is. And certainly proud when they are told they've done a good job.
It's good to see you back here.

[nancy]

Wow. What a great story.

[Susan Morgan]

that was a GREAT story!!!

[gp]

yup i've been finding that with my arabian... instead try to make it ezier for them rather than hitting the worry button (same for us'ns too i reckon)

gp

[Victoria Cummings]

What a wonderful insight into your horse's personality! I am a worrier too, so I can identify with how he feels. He's lucky that you and Lily are sensitive to him and appreciate his goodness. Other people might have gotten mad at him and tried to push. It's so interesting how horses will let us know what's bothering them if we only take the time to listen.

[Dee]

What a great story. I don't know too much about horses, so that was a good learning experience!

Fall is such a beautiful time to be outside on a trail with your horse. I just wish I had one of my own!

I thought I'd mention that OhHorsefeathers.blogspot.com is giving away two different horse books and all you have to do to enter is comment on each of the blogger's posts about the books! Send all your followers to enter this awesome contest... the books look fantastic!

[Savannah Brentnall]

Great photo, btw. How nice to see someone staying balanced over her leg instead of throwing herself on her horse's neck in the current hunter fashion.

[Mary Beth Williams]

I love stories with happy endings. I'm proud of everyone.

[Ericksonx]

love love love the story so much. It inspire me as a beginner one.