Float training

Floating and trucking can be a stressful time for a horse.  Difficulty with loading and unloading is one of the most common non-riding problems horse-owners face, and it can be one of the most time-consuming and frustrating!

Interestingly, the horse views a float quite differently from ourselves due to his lateral eye position giving him a wide visual field (he sees far more space around the float than we do).  Coupled with deficits in training that can lead to flight-response and general confusion from incorrectly rewarded behaviour, it is easy for a horse to become concerned with floating.

Before… tense & resistant – “no way!”

After… gaining confidence & calmness

If you would like help in teaching your horse to float-load calmly and safely, give me a call m. 027 233 1408 or p. 07 883 8641, or email me using the contact form.

Testimonials:

I was fortunate enough to have Karen come out and work with my new horse which had loading problems. Straight away I was impressed with how Karen took the time to assess my horse and took a genuine interest in him.

She handled him well with plenty of patience. The aids given were clear and consistent and my horse quickly understood what was being asked with no confusion. With this established he became more responsive and I was amazed at how quickly he progressed.

Not only did Karen give my horse confidence in loading, she also gave me confidence and taught me the ‘tools’ to continue to use in the future to carry on the good work.

I now have a confident and relaxed horse that is happy to load on the truck. I am rapt with the results and would not hesitate to recommend Karen to anyone who requires help with their horse.

S.H., Wainuiomata

I took a huge risk buying a horse that had floating problems – he had to be ridden home 50km one day when he didn’t get on the float. His previous owners were at their wits’ end, not knowing from day to day whether he was going to float that day or not.

Other than his floating problem, I thought he was a beautiful, honest horse and decided to take the risk and get him trucked to Wellington from Dunedin (which apparently also took some effort) knowing that if you couldn’t help him, no-one probably could.

I thought your method was great, and of course it worked. I have now lost count as to how many times he has now been on and off the float, out and about to various places.

I would certainly (and do) recommend you to everyone!

So thanks again, Karen, “you’re brilliant”.

L.R. (& the horse that “does” float – Shadow), Wellington