Call Another Taxi

Hi Elizabeth,

I was planning to send you some pictures from Taxi’s dressage lesson but they didn’t make it.  Taxi refused to load. We have a 2 horse slant load extra tall and wide but she wasn’t so sure of it. Our dressage trainer was able to come over and help. He started by working  her until she softened and began licking and chewing.  Then he  alternated working her on a lunge line outside the trailer with asking her to go in. He wanted loading to be her idea. Next  problem –  she bolts in, panics, then rushes out.  He thinks she’s afraid of backing off the trailer more than going in. He spent the rest of her lesson just letting her step up then he’d stop her, reward her and back her out (slow her down). Even though we know she has been hauled to the track and can load we’re taking baby steps.

Caitlin is riding her regularly. Have I told you lately that she’s really awesome? 🙂  I don’t know how much time Doc put into her before she shipped or if she’s just this willing to give and work but she’s a real gem to ride. I promise pictures soon. Cait’s next scheduled dressage lesson is this Saturday.  I’ll take a little video too.

I took Cait to see Secretariat. It’s really cool knowing that’s her great grandpa. Loved the movie.

Hope all is well with you and yours.

Tina

Elizabeth’s Note: Slant load trailers are designed for horses smaller than 16 hands. A big tall horse is cramped end-to-end in a slant load and often rebel at getting into them. You can tell when the slot is too small as there will be an aluminum stripe on the butt of the horse from leading on the divider. The last stall is a little larger so if you have a big horse like Taxi (17 hands) put the horse in the last slot and keep the trips short. For a long haul a straight load trailer will be more comfortable.