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

Most "stubborn" horses are genuinely afraid of loading or travelling or being in an enclosed space, or have been whipped or frightened or otherwise have bad associations with loading. There's an awful bit of film on YT somewhere of a couple trying to load a pony with a whip, and the pony is kicking back more and more violently. Each time the pony moves forward, the guy whacks it on the rump...teaching it quite clearly that trailer approach=pain and fear.
It sounds to me like you have a sensible and willing pony, who's willing to try for you, and who will be helped by constant repetition of stress free loading. Add in more comfortable slower travelling, and I think you'll have it cracked. Good luck!
 
Nothing to add about loading, but it is not the SPEED of your driving that will upset a horse but CHANGES in speed or direction.

It's all here if you want the boring explanation!

http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_laws.html

OP, don't bother explaining to your OH, have him travel in the trailer. Do a few sharp accelerations, braking, and go round a few roundabouts! That'll teach him!:)

Then tell him that when travelling your horse, he should drive as if he had a full bucket of water in the back that he must not spill.
 
Loading much improved. We walked him in and out 20 times and gave him a polo every time. First few days after that he was ffine . He's got sticky since then but if I pull long and low on the headcollar he fights me for a minute then gives in. We do this two or three times then he goes in.
 
Sounds like he is improving!

I know I've harped on about this before, but we had a polo pony who would not load, stubborn as a mule, not scared at all, just naughty! I ended up getting profession help from Jason Webb, and it was quite honestly life changing for her. Although she can still try it on sometimes, we are now armed with the knowledge of how to calmly and happily get her on that lorry! Honestly it was the best money I ever spent, I just wish we'd done it sooner!
 
billylula said:
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
Click to expand...

HiI had the same issue some year ago and one of my current horses can be difficult to load when the mood takes him, I use a Richard Maxwell controller halter. It came with a video which shows you how to school the horse so it understands what the halter does then explains how to do the actual loading. I have never failed to load a horse with it and the original horse, whowas really tricky and had dragged me all over the place, was completely cured! It's exactly the same as the dually and there are others on the market that work on the same principle of pressure and release. It sounds as if your pony has the capability to be a bit bargy and take control, so schooling in this will teach him a few manners. Don't worry, you can do this but you do need to put some time aside to work through things properly. I think the problem with using 2 people and a lungeline is that you never really have the problem beaten. Good luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top