I have a question on trailer loading. My gelding is 17 hands, and is a
freisian saddlebred cross. I have a two horse, ramp load trailer with
a removeable/moveable partiton in the center. It is definitely tall
enough for him, but I feel like he's a bit claustrophobic inside of
it. I can walk him right up into it, but as soon as someone tries to
secure the butt bar, he goes flying out of it in a panic. Can anyone
help me figure out how to make him feel comfortable in this trailer?
He's broken a bungee trailer tie in his rush to escape, but he has not
hurt himself on or around this trailer. I've only been able to do the
butt bar once and put the ramp up - do you think that is what he is
fearing? Should I not lead him onto the trailer, but rather train him
to load while I ask him from the side? Are these type of trailers safe
if the partition is removed, thus not having use of the butt bar? I
just didn't know if the absence of the partition would give him the
impression of a larger space and slightly more comfortable. I have
trailered him in my friends step up stock trailer with no partitions -
but he doesn't load as easily as he will get into the ramp load. Any
suggestions, training advice, etc., would be helpful! I'm not willing
to rush him and/or "trap" him into the trailer - I want him to be
willing to do it without making him fearful. Thank you so much! Vivian