Cracked the loading but how to get him to settle to the engine/moving

[njyr]

Bought a horse 2 years ago and went out about 6 times in other peoples lorries. He was always very sweaty and obviously worked up but didn't offer too much resistance to going out. The past 4 times he has either moved yards or been to the vet.

I bought a lorry 3 weeks ago and have been using natural horsemanship techniques to get him used to it. Having got him relaxed about loading, the partition being shut, the ramp and doors closed I tried to move onto the next step: turning the engine over. He was ok with the doors open but once they were shut pure panic set in - he was kicking and bunny hopping and looking for any escape route - what can I do other? Any one else gone through this? Did they eventually get used to it? Have you advice?

 

[guido16]

Get in and start driving! He will have to balance himself so won't bunny hop!

 

[Orangehorse]

Have you tried Rescue Remedy - 10 drops in the water bucket, or you can put it on neat before you load, although some horses don't like the alcolhol smell. Pax Calmer? Or something from the vet?
A mirror?

When you find something that calms him down, do lots of short trips and go to nice places, just an interesting hack a few times where your are not stressed or trying to be somewhere by a certain time.

 

[linda1b]

I called in a trainer when my horse was rearing when mounting, he also had a problem travelling, loading him on the box was fine bizarly! Sweating, quicking, panic. Mike Malone the guys name was, I told him about the travelling. The guy spent some time with my horse inside box whilst we did some short "test drives" don't know what he did but my horse is far more relaxed now! Don't have to completely wash him out when going to a show try www.perfecthorse.co.uk