Teeter totter exercise preps for trailer loading

Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Believe it or not, there was a slight southwest breeze of about 45 mph the day the photos in this article were taken. The weatherman said it was suppose to be windy the next day so I made hay while I could.

The following photos will prove to the doctors of veterinarian medicine that a colts tail can turn inside out and move laterally 180 degrees with little or no effort from the horse. Also take into consideration my traditional buckaroo attire (pronounced a-tar). I've learned that wearing a hat geared up with a stampede string reduces the (tight-hat-headache) factor, and also prevents your picture from being taken working horses in a comfortable baseball cap.

Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6

With the important stuff out of the way, I would like to share what's working for me on crossing objects, trailer loading, or just about anything that comes your way. This is the short go, for those who have followed along and developed the rear end under, front end across exercise. If you are a new reader to "Staying in the Loop," refer back to last month's article and get caught up on the exercise.

Start by getting some poles or logs, and start crossing them. If the horse balks, put him to work using your rear end under, front end across exercise, then offer them a chance to cross once again. Keep in mind there is one open door, forward across the poles. (See photo 1.)

Continue to cross the poles until you and the horse are bored. Look for the horse not to strike the poles with their feet as they cross. That will let you know they are getting things working for themselves.

After I accomplish crossing the poles, I add what I call a teeter totter to the poles. It is basically a barn door made of heavy wood (oak) around 4- by 8-feet. I build three sets of 2-by-4's onto the bottom side of the teeter totter. Attach one set at each end, and one the middle. The 2-by's are spaced apart around 8 inches or a little farther apart than the poles I intend to use underneath the teeter totter.

Continue by crossing the teeter totter flat on the ground. Once you have accomplished crossing the teeter totter flat, add a pole under each set of 2-by-4's. Proceed by crossing the totter as a bridge. (See photo 2.)

Next, ask a little more from the horse now. Remove the two end poles and have the horse cross what now is a teeter totter.

Some tid bits to think about. Notice in photo 3, Magnum has took a close look at the teeter totter. Allow the horse to check things out and consider it as a forward movement, in the beginning. Be happy on the next try if you only get a couple of feet on the teeter totter. (See photo 4.) Give your horse a nice gesture. Eventually you will get your horse all the way on the teeter totter. Give them a big reward when they get on. (See photo 5.)

About the only thing I can think of to help a little more, is place some poles on a tarp and with your rear end under, front end across exercise accomplish crossing the tarp. In the beginning accept just a nose across, then a foot on it, then the whole horse will eventually get on. When they do, visit with them, give a lot of good gestures. Spend as much or more time with your horse making the teeter totter and tarp a good place to be, as you did learning to get on. (See photo 6.)

Now don't tell anyone, but you have been trailer loading without a trailer. The rocking sensation of stepping up onto the teeter totter, and crossing the tarp will make trailer loading a breeze. Keep in mind the trailer we have been using--so to speak--doesn't have doors on it. So, it doesn't matter which side or end you cross the tarp or teeter totter on in the beginning, just get them on there. In the end they will cross from any direction or either side.

Thanks for visiting the High Plains Journal/Midwest Ag Journal, and until we meet again, may God bless you, your family and your livestock. And always remember, there is one bit that works on all horses, a bit of knowledge.

Pat

Pat Hooks is a day working cowboy from Texhoma, Okla. Hooks has taught clinics at national horse expo's and private ranches since 1989, and writes how-to articles for various national magazines, websites and is a published author. For more information on his books, DVD's, and clinics please go to www.hookshorseranch.com or call 580-423-7482.