Feel out of my depth with pony's loading issues...

B

billylula

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B Pony was stubborn to load when we first got him, but with a bit of coaxing we seemed to crack it. A month ago my husband took him and my daughter to a rallly - he wouldn't load coming home so a friend gave him an almighty whack with a whip and he shot in straight away.

Stupidly we thought all he needed was a tap with the whip and sure enough that seemed to work. Then he started to 'buck' or back kick when we did it. Tonight he wouldn't load at all and we gave him a crack with the whip and he back kicked so big he kicked my husbands arm which is very bruised. Ok, so he's telling us he hates the whip...

Eventually I coaxed him into the trailer with food. Went to the rally, he was in a stubborn mood then we couldn't load him coming home - I said no whips at all as his kick really scared me. I managed to coax him into actually standing on the ramp but we kind of waited it out for nearly an hour - no luck. Eventually another rider (an eventer, very experienced) had a go and did a brilliant job, making B walk back and putting pressure on him with the headcollar until he walked forward. He loaded very quickly.

Now I feel as though we've done all the wrong things and I am dreading next week when I have to load him every morning for junior camp.

His field buddy and best friend is away this week at senior camp so I am presuming he is feeling miserable about this (he loves routine and is very sensitive and stubborn...).

Wouldn't mind some reassurance I suppose.
 
You have got a uphill struggle now. You are going to have to undo all the bad associations of the trailer and make it pleasant. You will have to take time every day, to load and unload and make it pleasant. Good luck!
 
Ok, you're in a bit of a rush to do the feeding in the trailer thing if you're off to camp very soon.

Is he happy travelling once he's in the trailer? If so, he's just being stubborn.

First, ditch the whip, if you get into a fight someone's going to get hurt.

Walk him calmly up to the trailer (I know it's the most frustrating thing), have two lunge lines and two helpers. Calmly cross the lunge lines behind him and gently tighten them around his bum but DON'T apply any pressure, they are there so he can't go backwards.

It may take some time (a long time the first time) but be patient, just make sure he can't go back or sideways. Eventually he'll go in. After a few loads like this you should have no problem.

I've always had difficult loaders and this method has only failed once on a cunning wee pony who refused to travel on his own but couldn't wait to get on the lorry with a mate.

Good luck!
 
in the south west.

People we bought him from told us that he was stubborn when they first had him but they lured him in with a bucket and then no problems.

He's very stubborn, he seems to travel ok and is happy to load when his field mate is in the trailer.

The kicking thing has really rattled me although he has only done it when we've used the whip, he's very calm and easy to do on the ground normally.
 
I don't think I'll have two helpers :(

Guy who loaded him today put pressure on his nose with the headcollar and it seemed to work but if I am honest and before I rush out to buy a dually halter I think it was just that someone different had a go
 
dont just load him before you go somewhere...... do it 2 or 3 times a day! keep him guessing if he is going somewhere... or just walking through!!!
 
Personally I would not go down the lunge line route - I can't stand seeing people doing this.

I got some help with my youngster loading as he was a bit unsure. Essentially you have to start with getting them to understand what you want the to do when just on the ground (no trailer). Yoou need to have them being able to walk forward, back, stand when you ask them to. A schooling whip is used as an aid to help move them forwards - ie stand in front on horse, whip in one hand. Ensure they are not scared of the whip - stroke it down their neck and side until they are relaxed.

Using the whip where you would a leg, tap gently on the side and increase the intensity until they move forwards. As soon as they step forward you stop the tapping. Do this evenly on both sides but you must NOT hit the horse or have them nervous of the whip at any stage. You are wanting them to learn the 'pressure' means move forward.

you also need to ask for back. Tap lightly on the leg, just below the knee whilst also apply headcollar pressure on the nose. once they step back, stop tapping and praise.

If you repeat these exercises they soon learn what you want them to do and what behaviour gets the 'reward' (ie release of pressure and praise).

You then have to move this to when walking on to the trailer. Personally I don't like trailers anyway but try and make it as inviting (light/spacious) as you can. With just you (or whoever is loading), put the same work in to play. You also have to be relaxed and patient. Do NOT have others around the back/side of the trailer, no lunge lines, people 'assisting' etc. Just lead pony on as you normally would - ie expecting him to load. If he stops then tap his side until he moves forward. If he turns his bum one way then tap that side to get him straight. At any time he steps forwards, stop tapping and give praise. The key is to not allow him to turn round (do not be tempted to turn round and 'start again'), just persist - if he understands the technique he understands what is being asked.

This really worked with mine - it was remarkably simply and I always have the whip in hand now but very rarely ever need to touch mine, he loads calmly. If he does have a 'wobble', it just takes a little encouraging tap and he walks forward.

You have to remember they are not naughty, they have a reason for what they are doing (even if we may not understand it). Getting in to a flap, hitting, shouting, getting stressed etc does not help anyone.
 
Ok I am going to spend Sunday loading and unloading him.

will probalby start with his fieldmate in the trailer than try without.

Any advice very very welcome! He will walk onto the ramp for food but if you move the bucket so that he has to step into the actual trailer he just plants.
 
thank you ladyt that sounds like a great way to do it - unfortuunately he is now so scared of the whip he kicks out if he thinks you are going to use it. I suppose if I stand in front of him with it and just tap his side then he cant actually kick me
 
I love the Richard Maxwell pressure halter! It has never failed me yet and have used it on lots of tricky horses to load especially when out at pony club or at a show! Our pony used to be very stubborn and now loads perfectly with it on. However, if I try with a headcollar or even a bridle on, she refuses point blank to go on! Best £35, I have ever spent!
 
billylula said:
Ok I am going to spend Sunday loading and unloading him.

will probalby start with his fieldmate in the trailer than try without.

Any advice very very welcome! He will walk onto the ramp for food but if you move the bucket so that he has to step into the actual trailer he just plants.
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Then you need to get him over his fear. If you're in front and gently stroke it down his neck before moving to his back etc. Keep calm and praise him when he relaxes. It won' t take long but horse should not be scared of a whip. I am no NH person but I have learnt a fair bit from this lady who helped me. essentially it comes down to being clear in what you are asking and the horse understanding. It has to be simple and not confusing - horses are simple animals and they need direction or they get confused and worried which translates in to the horse being 'stubborn' (as we'd see it), or lashing out.

I think you can crack this. If he's intelligent he will learn very quickly.
 
No need to be nervous. Pony has no ulterior motive, isn't trying to misbehave, he's just not comfortable doing what is being asked at the moment.

I'll swap you my youngster if you want - can't now have a saddle on as flips out so I have that hurdle to overcome! :D
 
Good advice ladyt25 and if all else fails back him in, but always end on a positive with no one upset not even the pony. One other thing dont keep on and on doing it, if he loads twice happily on sunday, leave it at that dont do anymore. How does he travel is he loose, has he had a fright, does he have a bale a hay to anchor against when travelling.
 
He travels ok although gets quite sweaty. My husband does the towing as I passed my test after 1997 so need to do separate test... I think he drives too fast personally. Not dangerously fast and within limits of trailer towing speed of course, but he's a confident driver and I wonder if he takes the corners a bit flashily. I did mention it but it didn't go down too well...

Friend said not to put hay in as he could get tangled in the net... Can they anchor themselves with one? That might help.
 
i think you need to try to relax and not rush, it is so easy to tense up when you are in a rush to get somewhere. my girl loads ok, but occasionally has a stubborn planting or tries to go backwards. but the other day i was just taking her out on a test journey round the block, in new trailer with no partition and she walked straight on: think she could tell i wasn't stressed, as i has no show/ event to get to.
pressure on a head collar i find is the best way, she knows from ground work pressure means move forward. i attach it to a lunge line so if she reverses slightly i don't move, i stay planted and simply draw the lunge line back towards me again and apply pressure. as it is a long line, as soon as she moves forward i have enough to give her slack.
i also use a bucket of food sometimes, if she plants on the ramp, i leave it right in the trailer and wait, eventually she will give in as the lure of food is much better than standing on a ramp with no food!
 
also if it is possible try with no partition, much more inviting to walk into a larger space and if he is like my girl she travels way better without the partition.
 
Just a thought if pony is sweaty when you arrive he is not having a comfortable journey. It is so easy for modern cars to bowl along forgetting that behind is an animal getting all the swaying and rolling about. It is best to slow right down and take turns and corners as smoothly as possible, your OH may not like being reminded to go slower, but if you feel it is too fast then it probably is.

Nothing to add to loading advice as above except practise when it does not matter, avoid whips, leave plenty of time and be very calm and patient!
 
Think you should definitely ask husband to slow down driving. Some ponies do not travel well in trailers at all and can fall/lose their balance. If he's sweaty (and it's not due to it being baking hot!) then he's in a degree of stress which will explain some of the reason he does not want to go in. Why would you go in in the journey was terrifying?

Have you ever tried him in a wagon instead?
 
I can really empathise and sympathise with this problem. I bought a horse 3 years ago and had awful problems trying to load her. She would rear, leap off the side of the ramp (if we could get her near it in the first place), plant her feet and not move, lunge lines behind her made the rearing worse, whips just made her more stubborn and not move. After several harrowing episodes we asked Richard Maxwell for help. He was brilliant. Started by doing some groundwork as someone else on here has suggested i.e. pressure and release with headcollar, getting control of the back legs by making the horse move them and cross them over so she couldn't spread and plant them. Eventually he led her to the trailer and she tried all her usual tricks but with patience and the above techniques she went into the trailer. Mine is rear unload so she then had to back out after standing for a few seconds with lots of praise. This was repeated about 30 times, one after the other. (after Max had loaded her about 10 times I took over). His advice was to do this every day for a week, then 10 - 20 times the next week (every day) then at frequent intervals for another couple of weeks. Also, when you go to shows unload then repeat a few times (we did get some funny looks!). Time consuming but it works! Do not get the horse on the trailer, breathe a sigh of relief and leave it at that. Repetition and reinforcement is paramount. We now have the very occasional rebellion but it is half-hearted and quickly overcome. Good luck.
 
A calm companion will help your pony. I have no respect for drivers who go too fast, and this will be upsetting your pony. I have always got reluctant loaders in with patience, tapping with a schooling whip, and food.
 
Practiced today. He was extremely stubborn and planted himself about 10m from the trailer. Husband hauled on headcollar and I stood patting him (pony not husband!) He seemed to suddenly give in and walked into the trailer (we had taken bars out and opened exit door). I gave him a fuss and half a polo mint then we walked him straight out and in again. Repeated this 20 times, by the end he was walking in by himself looking for his mint! Going to try again later.
 
My horse wont load either so I sympathise.
Its been very hard for me to practise as I don't tow and my o/h never has ages to hang round so It gets stressy and its just easier not to bother.
My plan is now I have a tow car of my own to park in the field with both ramps down and probably no partition. I intend to just get him following my other horse who loads up the ramp, on and straight off again round in circles, then stand in it
for a few seconds before walking off, maybe eat his dinner on It etc untill he's happy to be on board before we travel. I know its going to take some time but id rather not rush it and have him get worse or more worried.
 
Sounds exactly like my old horse, very stubborn. He would rear, buck, kick and twist to get out of going on the trailer, in the end we crossed lunge lines behind him and as he had nowhere to go he went on the trailer, then we rewarded him and took him off, then repeated. Eventually he would just walk on happily. :)
 
My darling mare had a trailer issue which was she would load like a dream but backing up out of box was a big no no 14 years on she has got it last November

I would say make sure you practice on a day with nothing to rush back to if it takes all day so be it

good luck
 
I would try and speak to your husband. if he is driving too fast then the pony is never going to travel well. It might pay to ask him to be extra slow and careful next couple of times you take him out and see if that helps. if he is sweaty after travelling and refusing to load perhaps he is just scared now.
Best of luck
 
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