Least Resistance Training Concepts (LRTC) Volunteers Training for Emergencies

Safe and Sure Rapid Horse Loading Part Three Updated August 13, 2012   Safe Loading Scenarios This information sheet is primarily intended for persons associated with or working with the LRTC Emergency Response Team, however the information may be useful to other groups or private individuals who may wish to similarly equip a support unit or who may need to utilize the resources available from LRTC's Emergency Response Team. Loading horses during emergencies and similarly stressful situations can at times be chaotic. A horse or horses don't want to load, the overall stress level increases and loading becomes both unpredictable and dangerous. There are some techniques that have proved reliable in providing safe and sure horse loading that are discussed on this page. Please note! These are skills that need to be practiced before undertaking emergency loading. Different horses and different loading scenarios can require different loading techniques. Owners and volunteers need to understand the principles associated with safe and sure loading so that they can apply the proper procedures to safely address the specific situation with which they are confronted. This feature is a continuation of Part Two.   Additional Use of Chutes We constantly use chutes to load horses. Often we're picking up injured wild horses that have never seen a trailer up close before. The chutes always work when properly utilized. Loading a wild BLM yearling with an injured leg. Animal Services Officers practicing the technique. Chutes are often connected to corrals or larger enclosures. In the following photos, a wild mare got a coffee can stuck around her hoof. It was cutting into her leg and she had to go to the state's prison horse program to have it removed. A resident had captured the horse in an arena. A chute was built off of an arena gate. (Chutes must be secured at both top and bottom in these scenarios.) A screen panel was set up in the arena to funnel the mare into the chute. Once in the chute with the arena gate closed, it took little pressure to get her to load into the trailer, even though her herdmates were behind her. Screen panel set up inside the arena. The mare figuring out the chute. (The mare actually loaded before the photographer could take another photo.) For the complete story on the "horse in a can," please click here. Chutes can also be used to control the unloading of horses, particularly in unfamiliar and chaotic locations. It takes a couple of minutes to set up the chute versus the time lost when confronted by a real challenge in the event the horse pulls away or someone gets hurt. The panels can be locked into a "V" position until the horse settles. The panels can be used as an open chute to get the horse headed in the right direction. The panels can connect to an enclosure where the horse needs to go. Similar approaches can be used when transferring livestock from an accident trailer to a rescue trailer. Seven large pregnant cows are crammed into this stock trailer. A chute configured to safely move the animals to the rescue trailer. Return to Part Two Return to LRTC Emergency Response Team Press Back to return to the page which brought you here Return to LRTC Wild Horse Mentors Return to KBR Training Page Go To KBR Horse Net