Trailer Loading Practice

Xena and I will be moving to our new barn in a couple of weeks. In the past year I haven’t had the opportunity to practice loading her in trailer, because there hasn’t been a trailer to practice with. So, I’m focusing our remaining training sessions on simulating trailer loading as best and I can.

What We Did Today
4:05 to 6:25 p.m. = 2 hours, 20 minutes  Counting the Minutes

• Squeeze Game℠
  We’ve worked extensively on our Squeeze Game in the past 6 months, as this seemed to be Xena’s most challenging skill. I’ve asked her to stand in the corner of the arena, back along the wall, and walk calmly down the barn aisle, which was often like walking a gauntlet of horse heads. We’ve stood in the wash stall, backed through gates and played games in the gelding’s run-in shelter (when they were in the barn). If there was a tight spot on the property, we’ve probably spent time there.

• Scary Places
  In the past few days we’ve visited the few remaining scary places on the property. We’ve walked around the large, composting manure pile, behind the creaky, dark hay barn, and into secluded areas with strange sounds, smells and no other horses. We’ve even spent time in the Brock Street paddock, so named because it’s closest to a busy highway. She was confident and curious at each location, where a year ago she snorted, danced and pulled back in fear. This was a huge achievement for us!

• Wooden Pedestal
  And, lastly we’ve practiced stepping onto a wooden pedestal in the arena. This skill requires her to step onto a raised wooden surface, much like she’ll do when she steps onto the trailer’s ramp. Today she confidently planted both front feet on the pedestal, made all the more difficult because I placed the pedestal only inches from the arena wall — a combination of Squeeze Games.

Xena spent 4 days in a trailer when she was shipped from Alberta to Ontario in 2005. Just knowing that she’s able to perform the various simulations I created for her, makes me feel almost certain that trailer loading will go well on our moving day. I say ‘almost’ because I’ll probably still find something to worry about!

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