AboutRick Gore (www.freewebs.com/horseawareness) Expertise Visit Rick Gore's Horse Site: www.freewebs.com/horseawareness --I am a student of the horse. I can answer questions about sacking out (Desensitizing vs. Sensitizing), dealing with spooky, abused or ex-race horses, rearing, bucking, horses that won’t tie or load into a trailer, working in a round pen/round corral, starting colts, dealing with aggressive or so called "mean" horses, herd behavior, biting, kicking, horses that won’t let you mess with their feet or head, horses that are hard to take a bit and hard to catch. I can also answer questions about using a bosal or hackamore, do's and don'ts, soft hands and direct reining verses neck reining. If you expect me to tell you feel good advice, you will be disappointed. 95% of all my answers will include the problem is you and not your horse. About 90% of most answers that I give out are on my web site, so if you read it you will probably answer your own question and may learn a few other things. If have some good information that you would like me to add to my site, please email me so it can be passed on to others.
Experience I am an experienced horseman with many years of riding and handling horses. I grew up in Texas around horses and horse people. I have started colts, ridden many horses with behavior issues and worked with problem horses. (I believe that most horse problems are normally people problems) I believe in and practices natural horsemanship. I continue to read and study books by great horsemen. I routinely attends clinics, talks with and discuss horse issues with other clinicians and trainers. I have never met a horse that could not be fixed. I have fixed horses that would not; trailer load, take a bit, go through water, lead without pulling, allow you to halter or catch. I believe it is never the horse's fault and with proper handling, all problems can be worked out.
Education/Credentials Rick has life long experience in being around and working with horses. Over the years he has watched good horsemen do the right thing and seen the wrong things done with bad results. Rick has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Question I am 53, my horse is a 12 year old Thoroughbred mare eventing at preliminary. She has scrambled in the trailer since I have owned her (bought her as a 2 year old) when she was alone. I have ridden close to 30 years. I have moved the but bar closer to her body, tried drugging her during a non competition season and just drive her around,not to zn event maybe just a trail ride, she is boarded, has a stall and group turnout. She does not scramble when she has a horse going with her - only alone. HELP! I wish I could buy another horse to compete with her, or always a buddy to come along and split costs, but that doesn't always work.
Answer Horses don't like trailers, they are dark, enclosed, trapped and scary, so when with another horse they are not as stressed and it is less scary. Making it not so dark, and open may help, she is 12 and knows a trailer will not hurt her, but she may know she has to go work and does not like that or she does not like to leave her friends or her home, whatever you can do to make it more comfortable and less traumatic will help, you could try and give her some grain every time you take her out of trailer then she may like to go in knowing she will get grain when she comes out.
This is something other than trailer issue, I just cant know all the facts to figure it out. There are lots of horses that need a home and getting her a travel buddy would be great for her, so that may be best option.
You can read my site about sacking out, trailer loading and herd behavior, it may give you some other ideas.
