06/05/2026
We’ve participated in all three “sports” with Mando.
Float Training, Float Wrangling and Float Begging: Three Very Different Sports 😎
There is a peculiar phenomenon in the horse world.
A horse refuses to get on a float.
Suddenly a committee forms.
Someone produces a flag. Someone else produces a bucket of feed. A third person suggests lunging the horse. A fourth person suggests not lunging the horse and using the lunge behind the horse. There are three spectators, four opinions and varying levels of confidence.
The horse, meanwhile, watches the entire discussion with the calm confidence of someone who has realised they are the only individual present with a clear plan.😎
Eventually the horse gets on the float.
The owner sighs with relief. Someone films the final ten seconds and uploads it to social media.
Everybody goes home convinced they have just witnessed float training.
Unfortunately, they have not.
In many cases they haven't even witnessed float wrangling - they have witnessed float begging.😆
"Float begging" is the fascinating process whereby humans stand around a float with a bucket of feed attempting to negotiate with a thousand-kilogram prey animal that has absolutely no intention of entering the suspicious metal or plastic cave on wheels.
The distinction matters because float training and float wrangling are not the same thing...and float begging isn't in the same realm.
Let me explain...
What I consider "float training" is the process of systematically teaching a horse to calmly and confidently approach a float, load, travel, wait quietly and unload. It is about building understanding and confidence over time. The process is broken down into small achievable steps, allowing the horse to gradually become comfortable with confinement, movement, noise, travel and new environments.
Good float training requires patience, consistency and foundations. A horse that leads well, ties up well and responds calmly to handling already has many of the prerequisites needed for success. When you chip away at the process over weeks or months, horses will often amaze you with how confident and reliable they can become doing something that is completely against their natural instincts.
Float wrangling, however, is a different skill set.😬
"Float wrangling" is what happens when you need the horse on the float within a limited time frame. You do not have days or weeks.
You may only have hours or even minutes.⏱️
There is no opportunity to slowly build confidence. The objective is simply to get the horse loaded safely enough to travel.
It is a genuine skill. It involves influencing the horse, reducing options, managing pressure, reading behaviour and making good decisions under time pressure.
The challenge is that when time pressure increases, the risk of stress also increases. Even if you successfully get the horse onto the float and shut the door, that does not necessarily mean the journey will be calm, the unloading process will be safe, or that the horse has learned anything positive from the experience.
If that raises your heckles, I am sorry but that is the reality.😬
In fact, some horses develop an extensive collection of "float files" over the years. They learn a deck of evasions and objections that appear the moment they see a tailgate because they have come to associate floats with fight, conflict, stress or discomfort.
Do I wish every horse owner invested time in proper float training? Absolutely.
It reduces risk, improves safety and makes life considerably easier.
But life is rarely that simple.😅
S**t can happen. Horses slip on tailgates. They get injured. They travel uncomfortably. They associate the float with veterinary procedures, needles and unpleasant experiences. Even thoughtful, patient owners can sometimes end up with a horse that becomes difficult to load.
This is why I believe both skill sets are important.
Float training is always preferable.
Float wrangling is sometimes necessary.
And sometimes, you need both in order to help a horse that has develop a serious deck of touch evasion cards!😱
The mistake is assuming they are the same thing.
Next time you attend a clinic, read the fine print. There is a good chance it says that if your horse will not load onto the float at the end of the day, assistance may not be available or may incur an additional fee.
Why?
Because many horse professionals, including me have found themselves wrangling a super difficult horse whilst it is getting dark and you need to get to the airport.🫨
There is also risk involved. Float wrangling is one of the most dangerous activities you can engage in with a horse. People can get hurt. Horses can get hurt. Floats can get damaged. Questions about responsibility can become very complicated very quickly.🫣
Personally, I try to reduce the likelihood of float problems before a clinic even starts. Participants have access to float training resources through my Society membership before attending. I will give them advice and support prior the event.
That said, I will not leave someone stranded who respected my training skills enough to come to one of my clinics. I tried leaving before the last float left once, and ended up having to get up at 4am the next morning to drive 2 hours back to the venue to save one of my good clients.😆
If a horse will not load, I will help where I can. I will be honest about the time available, seek local assistance if necessary and explain to anyone watching what they are about to witness.
Because what they are seeing will not be what I consider - float training.
It is what I call float - wrangling.
A different objective.
A slightly different skill set.
And it might not look pretty.
And has a lot more risk.
And a distinction that every horse owner should understand.
