Friday, September 4, 2009

A trailer for two


Okay, enough politics. Onto the big news of the day.

We got two horses in our trailer today.

Fortunately it was the two horses we own.

I'd been waiting for our trainer to come back from her trip because I felt I needed all the help I could get. Over the last two weeks I'd gotten Lilly to the point that she wasn't bolting out and Cibolo was strolling in there like he owned the joint.

But I didn't really try to get the butt bar on let alone load them both. I still couldn't get Lilly to stay in place and didn't feel confident that I knew how to solve the problem.

So today was the day. Adam and I went together to meet the trainer. Adam has a good connection with Lilly and I was glad he was going to be on hand. As it turned out he took care of the bulk of the loading while I was merely a calming influence just outside the front window.

Our first step was to load Lilly. It took about three tries, but with rhythmic tapping on her butt (not hard, just rhythmic) she loaded and let us secure her in place. She had a nice grain reward once she was secure, and after a few more tries she unloaded about one or two gears slower from her previous bolt. Progress.

Then we loaded Cibolo. He was confused at first at being in the back area only, but then I could almost see the light bulb go off in his head. We shut the rear door and marveled that we had two horses in there.

But unloading Cibolo then Lilly seemed to increase Lilly's fear. She was back to bolting out.

We decided to try her in the rear. Initially when we were trying to deal with all this bolting weeks ago I'd suggested loading her in the rear. Sure, you'd have to get out of the way fast when you opened the door, but she couldn't really build up a head of steam either. She'd be out and not left alone in the trailer. But there was one significant hurdle - she couldn't seem to figure out how to get in the back section of the trailer.

We loaded Cibolo first and he was fine, although he leaned on the butt bar a bit. Loading Lilly in the back was challenging at first. It was as if she didn't think she'd fit. But with more tapping and soft words, she was in and stayed in calmly for the door to close.

The first couple times opening the door were something else and she even banged her leg once getting out. But by the end she came out somewhat quietly. Quiet for Lilly anyway. Okay, not so quiet but just a bit more slowly.

Cibolo comes out very quiet. Hopefully he can be a source of inspiration. (and hopefully he won't pick up her habit!)

It will take more time and practice, but I think we're through a hurdle. We're going to try to take them on a picnic at the lake tomorrow. I hope we don't end up having to walk them home!


Wound update: we have some proud flesh starting. I'm still cleaning it every day and putting on salve. Tips are welcome...

9 comments:

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Sounds like things are progressing nicely. Want to come here and help me with Baby Doll, after you've got them jumping in and stepping out of the trailer calmly on cue?


~Lisa

Anonymous said...

Very good progress for both of them! I'm not the person to ask about proud flesh - I'd ask your vet, as I believe there's stuff you can put on it to remove it but I wouldn't feel safe trying home remedies, myself.

Callie said...

Progress, even in little steps is still progress, the more they do it, the more they'll trust you. Now onto proud flesh. I have a friend, I'll contact, because quite frankly I cannot remember the product, but she's using it on a performance horse and it's eliminating the proud flesh. I'll give her a call and find out for ya.

Unknown said...

Lisa - actually I'd be happy to - when I get her calm. We might both be in our 70s by then.

Kate - slowly, but surely...

Callie - Thanks, I appreciate it!

jacksonsgrrl said...

Awesome Winter! Now you can be on your way....hopefully to ride with us in the near future! Linda is healing up and so is Jackson so it may be time to set another date...do we dare? -grin- It is so much fun riding with Linda AND my friend Lorri that I have hesitated over just getting Lorri (or just me) and setting a date. I want you to meet all three of us, but most especially Linda. IT WILL HAPPEN! Proudflesh, ugh! I have heard that Equaide works well, tho' have no personal experience with it myself (yet!). My LORD it has been a crazy month and a half, I am just on the edge of my saddle waiting to see what and which horse will be next...May that be all health issue wise with J, and Shorty too- he had a pretty big surgery at the same time as Jackson to have an enormous growth removed near his ahem..parts! I LOVED your why horses are better than sex blog, can you remind me of the title so I can find it again on your blog?
So...we are going on a camping weekend with our horses the 2nd wknd. of Nov. (Thurs.,Fri.,Sat.,Sun.-leave early Sun after one ride...) and it is near Austin (don't ask me where this early :), would you be up for it? Of course you need to come for a ride first and test us out? -double grin-- We have done them before and they are SOOO great! REALLY GREAT! Anyhow, just an idea...my friends are super cool and we extend invites without asking each other....I guess we all three know anyone we would actually invite on one of our weekends pass muster! And no worries about where your horse is at...we are always tolerant to what is going on with each one of us. Riding ability, horses ability, confidence levels, etc. Anyway, the idea is there for you to ponder!!! Let's do our ride SOON!

jacksonsgrrl said...

Awesome Winter! Now you can be on your way....hopefully to ride with us in the near future! Linda is healing up and so is Jackson so it may be time to set another date...do we dare? -grin- It is so much fun riding with Linda AND my friend Lorri that I have hesitated over just getting Lorri (or just me) and setting a date. I want you to meet all three of us, but most especially Linda. IT WILL HAPPEN! Proudflesh, ugh! I have heard that Equaide works well, tho' have no personal experience with it myself (yet!). My LORD it has been a crazy month and a half, I am just on the edge of my saddle waiting to see what and which horse will be next...May that be all health issue wise with J, and Shorty too- he had a pretty big surgery at the same time as Jackson to have an enormous growth removed near his ahem..parts! I LOVED your why horses are better than sex blog, can you remind me of the title so I can find it again on your blog?
So...we are going on a camping weekend with our horses the 2nd wknd. of Nov. (Thurs.,Fri.,Sat.,Sun.-leave early Sun after one ride...) and it is near Austin (don't ask me where this early :), would you be up for it? Of course you need to come for a ride first and test us out? -double grin-- We have done them before and they are SOOO great! REALLY GREAT! Anyhow, just an idea...my friends are super cool and we extend invites without asking each other....I guess we all three know anyone we would actually invite on one of our weekends pass muster! And no worries about where your horse is at...we are always tolerant to what is going on with each one of us. Riding ability, horses ability, confidence levels, etc. Anyway, the idea is there for you to ponder!!! Let's do our ride SOON!

jacksonsgrrl said...

Sorry it posted twice! I'm afraid to erase one-it may erase both with my luck!
~mindy

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

I find that proud flesh is just a part of the healing process and it eventually flakes off on its own. By eventually, I mean many months later. I recently read that wrapping a wound makes the proud flesh more stubborn, and to give it air. I wash wounds with soap and water, put a gob of anti-bacterial gel on them, and surround them with SWAT to keep the flies out, unless the vet specifically asks me to keep it covered.

d2cmom said...

Proud flesh is a "abnormal" growth (though it's unfortunately very normal) of scabbing that will not go away without treatment. I have been told by experienced horse people and vets to use the following:
1. A spray called Granulex in a 3 inch tall yellow can. It's kinda like peroxide.
2. Corona ointment, and
3. Baking powder

Koda had a nasty wound where a horse kicked her. I put the baking powder on in the mornings and the Granulex on in the evenings. Hose the wound prior to each treatment to clean out trash and previous treatment. The Granulex is specifically designed to prevent proud flesh.

I hope this helps.