Dry Rot
Well-Known Member
Is it possible to have a reasoned discussion about loading problems without the usual emotional outbursts and point scoring?
I have bought in several ponies over the years with serious loading issues. All were cured eventually. One took three of us 2.5 hours to load, mostly by lifting her into the trailer. At one point, one helper observed, "The b**** has gone to sleep!". She had! We'd got her half way in and her eyes were almost closed and she was leaning back on us! I can't help thinking that's what a lot of horses do, they comply to a certain point, then switch off and say "won't". After that, nothing is going to work.
There are the usual methods. Blue alkathene. Yard broom. Bucket of water. Forcing head collars. Tapping with lunge whip. Etc. I've seen them all and when they don't work I'm convinced the horse simply associates the bad experience with the trailer. I had one mare that would stop 25 yards from the trailer and refuse to move closer. Yes, she was eventually taught to load perfectly. I saw another horse beaten onto a lorry. (Livestock haulier on a schedule). I was so disgusted I could not watch. A couple of days later that horse was dead. Maybe the death had nothing to do with her treatment at loading, but I'm convinced it did.
Any thoughts? Is there a way to convince the horse that loading and being in the trailer is a good idea, without risking negative associations and making matters worse?
I have bought in several ponies over the years with serious loading issues. All were cured eventually. One took three of us 2.5 hours to load, mostly by lifting her into the trailer. At one point, one helper observed, "The b**** has gone to sleep!". She had! We'd got her half way in and her eyes were almost closed and she was leaning back on us! I can't help thinking that's what a lot of horses do, they comply to a certain point, then switch off and say "won't". After that, nothing is going to work.
There are the usual methods. Blue alkathene. Yard broom. Bucket of water. Forcing head collars. Tapping with lunge whip. Etc. I've seen them all and when they don't work I'm convinced the horse simply associates the bad experience with the trailer. I had one mare that would stop 25 yards from the trailer and refuse to move closer. Yes, she was eventually taught to load perfectly. I saw another horse beaten onto a lorry. (Livestock haulier on a schedule). I was so disgusted I could not watch. A couple of days later that horse was dead. Maybe the death had nothing to do with her treatment at loading, but I'm convinced it did.
Any thoughts? Is there a way to convince the horse that loading and being in the trailer is a good idea, without risking negative associations and making matters worse?