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3/28/07: From the promoter of Monty’s Australian Tour, Keith Lawrence: "Monty, There is one unusual horse whose owner has requested be in the horse selection for the tour. It’s owned by a girl who has done everything to get it under control and been hurt in the process. It seems that when she goes to mount it just bolts out from under her but is OK to handle in most other ways , even ride if you can get up and stay on, but it has this problem of not trusting people and I think it is nervous . She is desperate for help on this one and does not know what to do. Is this something you can help her with in the demo in Toowoomba? Keith"

3/21/07: My horse’s loading is no problem at all. He walks in and starts eating calmly. Only when I start the engine or he hears other horses, does he start to become increasingly wild. Upon un-loading he is calm again, like nothing happened. Transport by truck: same problems. I sedate him (2.5 times the limit) with no results. If I transport him together with another horse there is a very small improvement. I do not know what to do… Geert van der Spiegel

3/14/07: I bought my first horse six months ago, a gelding, 7 years old. He’s a lovely horse but fears to go into the trailer. We tried to use food, but that it takes 2 hours or does not work at all. The former owner showed him the whip and he jumped into the trailer. We thought he did not want to leave his stables, but now we fear that he has been hit. I try to make him trust me, but some times I lose my temper. He is shaking less now, but I know that when I start to become mad, I can start over again from zero. Do you have tips for me? Are there books who can tell me how to gain trust without dominating the horse? Kim van den Broeck, Netherlands

3/7/07: For two months now I am the owner of a horse with some strange habits. For instance: when you just touch his ears he will put his ears flat. This means that I need some one’s help to put his halter on. What can I do?

Answers to March 2007 Ask Monty Questions

Question: From the promoter of Monty’s Australian Tour, Keith Lawrence: "Monty, There is one unusual horse whose owner has requested be in the horse selection for the tour. It’s owned by a girl who has done everything to get it under control and been hurt in the process. It seems that when she goes to mount it just bolts out from under her but is OK to handle in most other ways , even ride if you can get up and stay on , but it has this problem of not trusting people and I think it is nervous . She is desperate for help on this one and does not know what to do. Is this something you can help her with in the demo in Toowoomba? Keith"

Monty's Answer: Dear Keith,
Standing to mount has been the subject of some of the highest rated demonstrations that I have completed in the past years. Standing to mount is a remedial problem that I have regarded as producing more serious injuries than any other negative behavior produced by horses.

Even if we didn't choose the horse for some reason, I think we should assist the young lady with this problem.

The essential equipment needed to deal with standing to mount would typically consist of the Dually Halter, the mannequin rider, the “legs” made from a plastic tarpaulin and the plastic bags on the stick. I believe that my riders Nigel and James will understand the meaning of each of these items.

The “legs” used to simulate a rider’s leg but without the full height of a mannequin rider, can be made after I arrive if necessary. I will need a large tarpaulin, which can be purchased at any home improvement center. The ones I use are generally around 3 x 4 meters. In addition, we will require a hundred feet or so of what I call "clothes line" rope to wrap the plastic and form the “legs”. It is usually around a quarter of an inch in diameter and made of a woven nylon material. This is useful in many ways throughout the demo.

I look forward to going to work to help this horse and its owner with this challenge!

- Monty

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Question: My horse’s loading is no problem at all. He walks in and starts eating calmly. Only when I start the engine or he hears other horses, does he start to become increasingly wild. Upon un-loading he is calm again, like nothing happened. Transport by truck: same problems. I sedate him (2.5 times the limit) with no results. If I transport him together with another horse there is a very small improvement. I do not know what to do… Geert van der Spiegel

Monty's Answer: This is a problem you hear of more and more, especially in Europe. This can be because the size of the trailers in Europe is very small compared to the size of the horses you have.

When horses are being transported, they are forced to lean against parts of the trailer to balance themselves, certainly in a small trailer ore a 2-horse box with the partitions closed, Studies have shown that if horses are given enough space, most will prefer to travel at a 45-degree angle and facing backwards. Horses tend to travel with their legs apart, for a good balance. Most horses travel better without partitions and even better completely loose, allowing them to turn around as they wish.

The horses panic can come because of the fact that he feels unbalanced because he can’t spread his legs enough, Also, horses are naturally inclined to push into pressure and around the flank area is a practically sensitive spot. Pressure there, certainly on a frightened horse, will not only make him lean in, but often down and/ore kick as well. When you would have a camera in the trailer you can see the horse having trouble balancing himself, lean into the partitions and sides more and more and loose his balance. This particularly happens on the turns. But once a horse had a few bad experiences he’s going to start falling down, kicking and panicking as soon as he feels the partitions.

I would also much prefer to take a bad traveller like this in a horsebox, not in a trailer the first time, both for reasons of safety and comfort. Make sure the floor is non-slip and that the horse is totally protected. Take him for short, straight journeys initially, driving very slowly. After a while you can see if you can close him in a little bit more and get him trained to stay between the partitions again. Do it gradually, so he has the time to get used to it.

I never use sedation for training of horses. In the case of bad travellers loosing there balance and control, you can understand that being sedated panics him even more. He cannot balance himself correctly, because he is drugged.

- Monty

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Question: I bought my first horse six months ago, a gelding, 7 years old. He’s a lovely horse but fears to go into the trailer. We tried to use food, but that it takes 2 hours or does not work at all. The former owner showed him the whip and he jumped into the trailer. We thought he did not want to leave his stables, but now we fear that he has been hit. I try to make him trust me, but some times I lose my temper. He is shaking less now, but I know that when I start to become mad, I can start over again from zero. Do you have tips for me? Are there books who can tell me how to gain trust without dominating the horse? Kim van den Broeck, Netherlands

Monty's Answer: Yes, there are definitely books and the DVD ‘Load Up’ that can help you with this problem. In my book ‘From My Hands To Yours’ you can learn how to improve your relationship with your horse and overcome problems. You can learn to speak the language ‘Equus’ and do a Join-Up to create a better understanding between the two of you. I specifically talk about trailer problems on page 115. You can’t blame the horse for fearing the trailer, when he had the experience of getting whipped every time he came near a trailer. So you have to help him overcome this fear, and you can do that.

Horses that won’t load into a trailer need to do a lot of groundwork first. The Dually halter helps the horse to learn to work with you, it is like a normal head collar but with an extra soft strap that goes across the front of the nose. When your horse responds well on the groundwork and you can control his movement in every direction, than its time to approach the trailer.

Before loading any horse, be sure that the trailer is acceptable for your horse. Make sure its safe, with a substantial length, width and height appropriate for the size of the horse. For loading any horse you need a good surface that is not slippery. Put the trailer in an enclosed area in a corner and block the sides with panels so it makes it easier for him to do the right thing. Now move him forward and backward to the trailer, with a small amount of pressure and release on the Dually Halter and bring him gradually closer to the trailer. Don’t try to ‘pull’ him in, but work until he gets confident and he wants to go in the trailer. After you have loaded him successfully, work until you loaded him at least 15 – 20 times, and he is really comfortable doing this. Allow him to go back to his stable or the field after this session so you have a good, positive experience for you and your horse.

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Question: For two months now I am the owner of a horse with some strange habits. For instance: when you just touch his ears he will put his ears flat. This means that I need some one’s help to put his halter on. What can I do?

Monty's Answer: Since you just acquired him, I imagine you had a thorough examination done by a veterinarian. If his ears were found to be without abscesses, ticks, lice or other maladies that can plague ears, then you have a frightened horse that simply does not want to have his ears handled. He was not born head-shy. Any more pain you might inflict on him could elevate his condition to phobic and dangerous. To rebuild his trust, complete Join-Up® with him. Spend time touching his head, and when he lets you into that area, walk away. Not appearing predatorily, you will be seen as trustworthy and meaning no harm. Even the most phobic animal will begin to relax and drop his head a little. Keep your fingers closed when approaching the head-shy horse, moving with a passive hand to the nearest comfort zone and rub again for prolonged periods of time. Again, the most important aspect of my work is the building of trust. It does not matter how long it takes to build that trust. No time limit should be placed on this work. You will not speed it up anyway. The horse will ultimately decide the length of time required to gain his trust. Remember, it is usually true that “slow is fast and fast is slow”. Read more about my procedure with a hair dryer in my book From My Hands To Yours, chapter 8 to further desensitize a horse that won’t let you touch his ears.

- Monty

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