This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Behavior and Training » Halter Training and Tying Horses »
  Discussion on Climbs trailer when tied to it
Author Message
New Member:
Cheers2u

Posted on Monday, Oct 14, 2002 - 5:23 pm:

My 17 month old friesian cross gelding ties very well and trailers well. But has not had experience being tied TO the Trailer. On his first experience he proceeded to climb, one foot at a time, up the trailer. One foot reached the windows. He is very quiet tempered, so an immediate "no" only gets a look. I think it's his Friesian side and he does like to use his front legs to check things out. I hobbled him the next day and he is ok with that, and although I want to keep him feet down under most instances, I don't want to take away his desire to totally keep grounded as it could come in handly for future training (we'll train dressage).
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 15, 2002 - 11:35 am:

Hello Gayle.
I recommend you do not put him in a position where he could hurt himself if you do not want to correct him when he is trying to be a squirrel.
DrO
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 15, 2002 - 12:32 pm:

Hello Gayle,

While it may be cute to see him acting like a squirrel (Dr. O, great analogy by the way (;) and I understand that you want to keep him light on his front end, you might consider correcting him now before he grows older and BIGGER and thinks this behavior is OK. It could be VERY dangerous.

Just my two cents! Good Luck!!

Member:
Cheers2u

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 16, 2002 - 4:32 pm:

I do want to solve this. Any suggestions other than tying him to a post for an hour at a time? I know I need to be careful, I don't want him or my trailer damaged. He is so mild tempered and does not scare easy so telling him "NO" or even slapping his leg gets a slow if any response.
Member:
Westks

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 16, 2002 - 4:53 pm:

Rather than tieing him to post for an hour I would un-tie him and do boring lunging at increasing times everytime he did it. Rather than, whipping yelling or jerking I would simply untie and lunge him where he cannot see anything but you and think about anything but how boring and un-rewarding it is just to go in circles, both directions. This is also a good time to work on stiff side, which just about every horse that hasn't been suppled has.
Member:
Aeowen

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 16, 2002 - 8:22 pm:

I'm going to suggest an alternate approach - as you well know, there's more than one way to skin a cat. (where DID that saying come from, anyhow?)

Here are two techniques that I've used successfully with dogs and horses alike.

Option 1. Teach the behavior you want to extinguish.

I hear y'all screaming *what* at me, but bear witht me for a moment. Find a stump/safe place for your Fresian to get 'up' onto with his forelegs. Then teach him a command to get 'up'. I suggest the command "on". Lead him to the stump, give him the command and guide him to put his forelegs on the stump. Reward him when he figures it out. You've obviously trained him to do other things, so this shouldn't be too difficult! When you wish him to get off the stump, give him the command of "off" and reward him accordingly.

If he gets up on his own, without you saying anything, do not say "off" but instead ensure that he knows that you are displeased (Slapping does nothing to most creatures, I've "nipped" sides with my hand - made it like a bite - and usually I sort of bellow no - the lower the better - and a variety of other bellowing, freaking out on him kinds of things - all without injuring him, of course!)

Most of the time, teaching the command keeps the behavior confined to when it's desired. When it does not, you've got the "off" command, just in case.

Option 2: Extinguishing the Behavior using positive reinforcement for *good* behavior

When your horse is standing teach him a 'stay' or 'still' command. As long as they 'stay' they receive a reward (extend the period longer and longer, just like a dog).

These are just some more things to try :o) I usually use positive reinforcement as much as possible - I find that negative reinforcement needs to be incredibly swift (usually swifter than I am) and I prefer it to NOT be associated with me (while I will do the nipping and yelling if necessary, I prefer to have the horse think of me as an ally more often than not. Every once in awhile I get a horse who will not respect that, and I have to be more 'mareish' with him/her, but that's not the majority of the case).

It's all in what you feel comfortable with - and in your judgement what you feel the horse will respond to the best. Oh - and I should add that these options are not mutually exclusive, but it largely has to do with how much time you have to deal with it.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 17, 2002 - 8:51 am:

Hello Gayle,
I think this is a behavior that will extinguish itself with time. Your horse is just curious and when climbing your trailer or what ever does not yield food or pleasure he will quit. I do not think this is a big deal but like I say above: avoid situations where is climbing can result in danger to himself.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC