Problem Loaders
SPHO Hosts Trailer Safety Clinic At Plain Ridge Race Course
Four guest speakers each shared their extensive
experience with horses and trailering. Despite a cold rainy
fall day, attendees walked away more confident and more
knowledgeable.
The event started with trainer Cathie Hatrick-Anderson,
who presented loading and unloading procedures with the
focus on safety. She offered training exercises for owners
to do with their horses before they begin traveling. Using
one of the racehorses “X-Files” owned by Cath and Marc
Bouthillier, in a live demo, auditors were able to witness
her training.
Cathie recommends working with your horse many times
before you travel. Setting up ground poles and jump poles
you can simulate trailering. It’s important that horses
learn not to rush on or off a trailer and to wait for
direction. A panicked or a horse that rushes does not
facilitate a safe environment. - Kristy Milo
Thanks Kristy- I have started using what I call a
trailer simulator. I set up two jump standards two ground
poles and a tarp or a piece of plywood to simulate the ramp.
I'll add some pin wheels duct taped (you gotta love that
stuff) to the jump standards to make it a little scary.
The reason I started using "The Simulator" was the fact
that I would go to a clients facility/back yard, work with
the horse, he'd load up in a matter of minutes for me, and
then he'd usually load up for my client in 2o minutes as I
had done all the work, and he was primed and ready to go.
Problem was the next time my client would try to take
the horse somewhere the horse refused to load and the owner
had no tools, their timing was off, as it was never tested.
Then the horse has the upper hand or hoof as it were, He
goes right back to his previous evasions of rearing pulling
back, going off to the side and the list goes on.
Now I work with the horse AND the client AWAY from the
trailer so the owner AND the horse can actually take in the
lesson without the fear associated with past bad experiences
with the trailer. They may have have hit their head, gone
under a butt bar, out an escape door etc.
Before we go to the trailer I have taught the owner and
the horse what they need to know to be successful. Now
returning for a second visit is a rare occasion.
Please visit my guest book to read more testimonials
about problem loaders.
Thanks Cathie
Jan 3rd 2009
Have you ever just given up on trailer loading? Don't give up - just call Cathie. We struggled with our horses for a long time. Sometimes they would load, unload, and then not get on again to go back home. Other days we would try to load them for hours. They were clearly unhappy and so were we. Our experiences were not safe ones either. Cathie worked with us a couple of times and our horses now self load willingly, ride calmly, and slowly walk out. We actually give their tails a little tug when we're ready! My husband and I couldn't be happier with her training and our stress free trailer loading! Thanks Cathie for getting us through this. We are all better for it! Linda Chita - Blackstone, MA
Date: September 26, 2007 Comments I have an old (26) Thoroughbred who is my best buddy. I have owned him for 7 years. During the later part of our relationship he has decided that he does not want to load into a trailer anymore. He outright refuses! I had asked Dr. Jay Mirium, owner of Mass. Equine if he knew anyone who trailers problem horses. I found fighting my old friend was getting us nowhere. Dr. Mirium recommended Cathie. She has been successful every time with not a lot of time involved. He was semi-retired and now retired. She trailered him from my home to 3 different barns where I boarded him and now home again. I had a hunter/jumper trainer, where I last boarded, offer to trailer him home in her big fancy trailer. I had seen this trainer "not so nicely" load a problem horse and I wanted no part of that for my best friend. I turned down her offer to have Cathie come in her much smaller trailer instead. She is the only one I trust to get my horse on and transport with no fighting or any tension at all. Its all about kindness and understanding. I recommend Cathie hands down to load ANY problem horse..... Thanks for all the safe trips, Linda
"I cannot say enough good things about Cathie Hatrick-Anderson.
She has been of invaluable assistance to me with my horses.
Her kind but firm handling combined with infinite patience
and knowledge is unbeatable.
I used Cathie when I lived in Massachusetts to teach my
Arab mare to trailer load for a trip to Idaho. The training
was invaluable. When my mare arrived in Idaho, the shippers
could only rave about her manners and training!
After I was set up in Idaho and my barn built and a new
mare added to the equation I called Cathie again. I asked if
she would be willing to spend a week in Idaho working with
both of my horses who needed all kinds of help.
 Diana
leading Amber to the trailer "relaxed". Previously her head
was in the air with her nostrils flared and her feet dancing
trying to get away.
She agreed to help me. My Arab was underexposed on the
trail and my new quarter horse had been beat to get her to
load on the trailer. We accomplished miracles in a week. My
horses are very well behaved now and I am extremely
pleased.
Diana
loading Amber right...
Loading
Avalon next to Amber below...
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My only disappointment is that Cathie lives 3300
miles away now! Maybe I can talk her into moving to
Idaho! I would recommend Cathie anytime".
Diana Dawson
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