I need to vent a bit:)
Why, oh why do people let horses get big BEFORE they teach them to get in a trailer! I don't understand that. People should know that sometime in a horses life it is going to have to get in a trailer, sometimes in an emergency situation too, so teaching a horse to load should be one of the first things they do when it is just a baby. It is so much easier.
I had to put Harley in because he is one that is going to the vet today. Luckily I started early, because I had a sneaking suspicion it might be a problem even tho he got right in when I brought him home. The girl I bought him from mentioned she was surprised how easy he did it. I know I should have been doing it before now too:), but like I said, I had a gut feeling it was going to be a battle and I was dreading it. I kept hoping that since he did it so nice then he would now.
It didn't really take me long, about 30 minutes, but dam, there is no reason for even that. He is standing out there in the trailer now. I'm not unloading him till I get to the vet, at least there I will have some help if he acts up. I'm hot and sweaty, and my shoulder hurts from his jeking backwards,,, ggrrrrrrrrrr:)
Oh well, at least he's in.
Becky
I sympathize! Trailer troubles scare the dickens out of me. When Bay was young and my friend had him, he'd hurt himself a couple times refusing to load in an older straight load that was really not big enough for him, but all he had.
He got over loading problems with the endurance racer.... lots and lots of trailering. If they can have a few good experiences, you'll get him over it if you're careful.