Foalie great at loading, mare not, help!

[pinkcatkin]

Planning to take Rose and the Weasel to show tomorrow to do broodmare and best progeny classes.

Practised loading in my trailer last night, foalie quite happy standing in trailer facing backwards but mum not having any of it. We had put mare in first to begin with but she shot out backwards (no breech bar as partition not in), so we then put Weasel in only with a little persuasion and she stood quietly with me while my friend brought Rose up the ramp. We could not get her in. Normally she does anything for food and we had a bucket of nuts for her.

Just wondering if she has any memories of her two previous foals - no knowing how they were weaned in Ireland, maybe she was just loaded up and taken away.

Anyway, I am feeling very pleased with my foal who was a little star and so calm amongst all the clattering and movement. Not so pleased with my dear old Rose, she has travelled in that trailer for 8 years with absolutely no problems at all except that she hasn't been in it for just over a year.

I could put the partition back in and would then have a breech bar, but worried about foalie being in other partition. It is only a 20 minute drive to the show, but......

Any comments welcome!

 

[Foxfolly]

I assume if she goes in first she will break the ropes coming out? Or did she not go back after the first attempt??
If not just cross tie her as soon as she walks in!!

Can you just keep walking baby through if its a front unload, and hold him/her at the front out of mums sight, hopefully that may encourage her to follow!!

 

[pinkcatkin]

[ QUOTE ]
I assume if she goes in first she will break the ropes coming out? Or did she not go back after the first attempt??
If not just cross tie her as soon as she walks in!!

Can you just keep walking baby through if its a front unload, and hold him/her at the front out of mums sight, hopefully that may encourage her to follow!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately I dont have a front unload.

I would not tie up mare until breech bar or ramp up as she is not averse to pulling back, she has always been naughty about pulling back and I cannot remedy it.

Thanks for comments

 

[Maesfen]

Try her in a Chifney or a bridle on top of your headcollar as she is a big tank of a mare, you'll have more control.
If it was me doing it, I would also try it with friend holding foal, you holding mare as she knows you better. Of course, this also means you need 3 people with one being ready to do ramp. If she's known to pull back, please make sure they never stand behind ramp, always to one side even if you are holding her. Don't take any messing from her, just be firm; they usually give in after a while! Oh and no titbits until she is in and standing tied up, then is better than all the time.