Rooster made it onto the trailer, today. In the first few sessions, I had Rooster eating hay from the back of the trailer while I walked around inside making noises and clanging dividers together so he could get used to all the sounds and movement. The last thing I wanted to do was make this another traumatic experience (like pick-up day in April)! He was pretty unsure about getting his two front feet up there, but once he did, he walked the rest of the way on without coaxing to reach the hay.Sometimes getting off the trailer can be harder then getting on. I teach all my horses to back out because there's nothing worse than a horse trying to turn around on top of you to exit. It took some thought from Rooster, but he backed out slowly and easily, one foot at a time.
Other than a brief relapse (Rooster decided he wanted to be wild again last weekend and took off - we got him home safe and sound without incident) I've been super happy with this guy. He's athletic when he needs to be, but overall very mellow and level-headed. The trust and confidence is coming slowly, but surely.
