I think he was previously abused, possibly with a hose. We've come along way with trust issues but he won't go into the washrack. He has no problems with a bath, just the washrack. He's been into a washrack with an open front and was okay. I was able to coax him in with grain. I've tried grain, flicking a whip at his feet, pushing, pulling, and even the whole releasing pressure to reward him when he moves. I'm lost about what to try next. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. PLEASE HELP!
Answers:
you are working on getting his trust and this will be good for anything you ask him to do. some other things you can do are this spend time out grooming him or have a nice conversation about the weather or what ever you want to talk about. this time spent with your horse will help make bonds between you that will last for ever. to help get him in the wash rack you can try taking him in when it is a nice day out and there is no hose or wash equipment ready in the rack. lead him up and let him know he is welcome to walk forward into the rack but not move side to side or back. reward him for going in and give him a treat then take him out. only do this once or twice a day but do it for several days so he learns that going in the wash rack is fun and very enjoyable also start to bring in wash equipment so he gets use to that as well. another thing you can try is to have a friend lead a horse that is OK with going in the wash rack and have that horse go in first. lead your horse in right behind the other and reward your horse when he gets in. Good Luck
My horse was the same way. We used to back him in to the wash rack and once he was cross tied in there he usually got over it. I don't know if this is the best advice, but it was my experience. My horse finally realized nothing bad was going to happen to him in the washrack.
I had a similar problem with a horse who would rear when when we tried and if we did manage to get him in he would try and pull so hard against the ties which were welded into posts, it wasn't safe. In the end we just thought to ourselves, "its not worth it." If he washes well in other areas, you may have to give over to that. That being said you can try the tricks used for loading into a trailer (same scary confined bit) if he isn't reacting violently.
1. obviously bribery which you seem to have tried
2. bribery plus a lunge rope held by two stable hands across his rear exerting pressure on his hind to kind of push him gently in
3. if he balks at the prospect, again combined with bribery, step back walk him in a small circle and as you are coming out of the turn, walk forward as if nothing is the matter whilst still carrying his bribes.
4. You could break this down into smaller sections. First get him to put his head in, reward. Next day go for the front feet. Then the next day his barrel, then the next his hind feet. Then try to properly turn him and tie him into place. Every day - bribe him.
Its worth a shot and I hope this has given you a few ideas with which to approach this one.
Walk in with treats, take the lounge line and pull it gently, let him smell the treats. Keep tryiying, praising him with every step.
Good luck!!
If it possible, do try backing him in. If he is fine once he is in, then that should work. I would remove the hose, if you think that may be the source of the fear. Bathe him with a sponge a few times, then add the hose after he has accepted the rack completely.
well if he likes apples then try coaxing him in but if he starts to get mad get him away and try again in a minute or two.good luck.
It's a trust issue.
Getting your horse to trust you is the important first step. If your walk him on the line until he moves with you without hesitation - stops when you stop, turns when you turn, etc. you will eventually be able to walk him without a line - and he will stop when you stop and turn when you turn, etc. Then he should walk with you into the wash rack or any other place you go. Without hesitation. I had a horse that wouldn't load and after 2 days walking, he learned to follw me anywhere, anytime, without hesitation because he knew that I wasn't asking any thing of him that would cause him harm.
With horses, it's a trust thing!
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