Day 15-16 - Trailer Loaded!!

Yesterday we got to the ranch late around 6:00. Yesterday we just reviewed most of the things that we had done and he really is doing amazing at everything! We didn't have a lot of time so we didn't do anything new. (* see note from Dad below) We left at just about 9:15 when it was already dark. Today we had to drop my dad and brother off at the ranch so me and my mom could go get some more alfalfa for Disco. We dropped them off at about 4:00 and got back around 6:30. When we got there my dad was walking Disco around the pasture already desensitizing him and letting him graze. So today was the big day... time to start trailer loading. So my dad jumped on the back of the truck and we had Disco follow us over to where we moved the trailer (in a wide open area this time). First I started lunging over the logs then worked my way to the trailer, went over to get in position, then sent him into the trailer. HOW?!?! UMMM..... WHAT?!?! DID HE REALLY JUST...HUH???? He went into the trailer without a care in the world! He just hopped right in, turned around and stood there looking at me. So I went in with him and rubbed all over him before asking him to get out and do it again. The second time he just went right in again but... he didn't really want to get out :) but we did get him out and thought well lets mix it up a bit for him. So I just stood in one place, send him from side to side, then shortened up on the lead and asked him to get in. No fuss... So we changed it again, I did some leading around the trailer then brought him back, walked up to the trailer, stopped right before it and pointed him in. Again he did it no problems. Well then I bet you can't do this! I jumped up into the trailer backed up and started combing the rope to draw him in. WHAT?!?!?!? NOT POSSIBLE!!! ok... proved me wrong... He passed all the tests first time. Now we just didn't know what to do. We thought that this would have taken all day but it really only took a few minutes! So I decided to do some more review and took him to the roundpen and started working. He walked all the way up to me at the end and even followed me around without the lead! I was able to do everything in the roundpen without a lead today. So I took him out and walked over to our deck cause my dad had finished dinner. When we where done I found Discos favorite treat... Ice cubes! When we where ready to leave we put Disco back in his corral and gave him his scoop of feed and 2 flakes of alfalfa. We are already ready to start going places now! BEST DAY EVER!

Going over the logs.

Picking up his feet.

Working him outside the trailer. 

Sending into the trailer. (First time)

 Resting him inside the trailer.

 

NOTHING BUT SYMPTOMS OF A CAUSE

"The majority of horse "problems" aren't really problems at all; they are really just symptoms of a cause. Ninety-five percent of all the problems you will ever have to deal with as a horse owner will fix themselves if you do the groundwork and earn your horse's respect.

Most people think that their horse's problem (biting, bucking, rearing, pawing, trailer loading etc.) is the real issue, but it's not. What most people think is a problem is nothing more than a symptom of a cause. But people get so focused on the horse's bad behavior that they can't see what is actually causing it.

For instance, take a cinchy horse. A horse that pins his ears, snaps at you or cow kicks when you pull up the girth is nothing more than a disrespectful horse. When you get the horse's respect, he'll stop all of his disrespectful behavior because cinchiness is nothing more than a symptom of a cause.

You might say "I'm new to horses. I don't understand where my problem is coming from. I don't know if it's lack of respect, of if it's a fear-based issue."

Here's the good news-it doesn't really matter. as long as you do the groundwork, you'll actually be working on both categories.
The sensitizing exercises (moving the horse's feet forwards, backwards, left and right) gets the horse respectful and teaches him to use the thinking side of his brain because he is constantly having to move his feet and change directions. The desensitizing exercises will teach the horse not to be fearful by exposing him to various types of objects that move and make noise. If you build a solid foundation, a lot of problems will just disappear.

The reality is if you just start the Downunder Horsemanship Method your horse will tell you where your problems are. If it's a lack of respect, he will give you resistance when you go to move his feet. If it's a fear-based problem he will react badly when you work on any desensitizing exercise. If you just start the Method, he will tell you where he needs you to help him and spend more time. You just have to be willing to listen and put in some effort, that's all."  - Clinton Anderson

Trailer Loading first time!!

*In training a horse, repetition is essential. Being consistent in your lessons, training as many consecutive days as possible, having clear and consistent body language, being rhythmic in your pressure, desensitizing and pauses, repeating lessons over and over then moving the same lesson to a different location etc. Success depends greatly on laying this solid consistent foundation, its hard work. After two weeks of daily groundwork, Disco has become safe and respectful, great job Melia!!