Hello and can you help me?

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I dont think hes been competited before, but he has hunted as a 5 yr old for a season. After that he was in a riding school

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Hello and Welcome!!
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Mine was exaectly the same last week at our first show - came of the box doing star jumps and the managed to break his leadrope and headcollar when he pulled back. The last time he went out in a box was to hunt for a season so it is going to take a while for him to calm down and realise he isn't going for a hooley with his mates and the hounds.

It occurs to me it might be the same with your boy - if he was hunted for a season and then hasn't been anywhere since maybe he thought he was off hunting. From his point of view it was the same - was made to look all clean and smart, plaited etc put on a lorry and taken somewhere - that to him may mean he was expecting the meet and hounds. Mine certainly did and was sweating all over when we arrived!! You did better than me - at least you got a decent warm up!!
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As for the loading - try looking for your local Intelligent Horsemanship RA - on Kelly Marks website - get a dually and they will show you the techniques you need to have him loading safely in no time. Lunge line is the way forward as it makes it harder to get away from you!

For your nerves get Rescue Remedy!
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Good luck with him!
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Just a quick one - I would think about taking away the Topspec - it can simply be too much for some horses (I have an ISH and it is too much for him)

Ex school horses can be fun can't they! You need to get professional help with the trailer loading - it can be terminal for both of you! I was greatly helped by Alison Jones who took 15 minutes to teach my lad to load - after very similar experiences.
 
It sounds like a) he got a bit excited and wound up about being out and about at a show so maybe give him the benefit of the doubt this time on that one and b) he is generally getting a bit big for his boots.

My pony went through quite a pushy, bargey, dragging-me-round-the-yard stage about a year ago, and it wasn't very pleasant. I switched to using a pressure halter with him which taught him to respect me on the ground, and I always load him in a bridle (although he has now learnt to load himself!). He's now back in a normal headcollar and never causes any problems - he really was testing the boundaries.

Be firm and consistent - he shouldn't take a step you don't ask for on the ground, don't accept anything less. Don't be afraid to give him a good telling off - if he's being rude to you, you don't have to keep asking nicely.
 
We have horses to enjoy, so I think you should do whatever you think you will enjoy doing. If that is going to massage clinics then great. I definitely think it would be worth you joining a good active riding club, they offer so much.
 
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Haven't read all the responses but I'm a bit surprised by all the replies saying - wrong horse, get another. Fron what I read he's normally quiet, you'd practised loading and that had all gone to plan beforehand, you'd even been and practised at the venue! Sounds like plenty of preperation and you say the horse is normally steady, which is what you want.

Personally to me it sounds like a one off and you were nervous and it rubbed off. I woudl agree that the controller type headcoller might help (or load him in a bridle). If possible I would carry on with what you have been doing but try and get out more - but not just to shows, if you own the box, load him up, drive him round, unbox and go for a hack. Don't go so far away that you're under pressure to get him back in the box - if you know you could always hack home you wont be as tense! Carry on hiring different venues and going and having lessons there

To me it appears you have approached everything so far very logically and broken it down into steps for both you and the horse - carry on with this frame of mind but also be firm and don't let him get away with a anything!

Good luck.
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Think Vodka or Vino might be more appropiate for my nerves!
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But will give it a go!

Yes I thought he might have thought he was off hunting, esp as two other horses off the yard came too! A right little party for him! Bless him.

Not disliking him quite so much now - thanks everyone!
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ditto the RC,

though dont be the person setting up the boards with him in tow (it was RC yesterday)
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we get lots of nervous people, horse, youngsters etc we arrange the day so we have lots of time and can shift people about if problems arise with out too much trouble. Also take him to some group lessons if you can. Just let the people who are organising stuff know your issues and am sure they will help you out.

Ps I didnt feel guilty at all, he goes out most week and is old enough to know better
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I dont think i would sell him just on the basis of the loading issue unless you are finding it reallys cary just to handle/ride him on a day to day basis?

i would try him in a chifney at home (to make sure he isnt going to rear-my Tb goes ballistic in one but he is the minority, most go "oh sh*t" and give in...) and if he's ok then use that next time you take him out, sounds like a manners issue rather than a fear issue.have a helper go with you as an extra pair of hands until he learns he cant bugger off whenever he feels liek it, will be a god send.
good luck xx
 
I would agree with taking an experienced person with you to help out if he does get too much. I don't know if people think this is a bit of a cop out but perhaps your instructor or a confident friend could ride him at a couple of shows just to get him a bit more used to it, and you can see him settle? I wouldn't give up on him, he just needs a bit tougher handling
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good luck!
 
I've only skim read most of the replies so apologies for any repetition!
I too think it was just the heat of the situation and I wouldn't sell him just yet if he's been good most of the time. I think you did the right thing by not taking him in as well.

My boy can be the same to load if he's going alone, spins and legs it to the field - only ever to go though, he loads himself to come home or if there's company on the trailer so I know it's stubbornness. I ALWAYS load him in a bridle with a lunge line when I'm leaving the yard - the lunge line is particularly good as he can't get away like he can with even a long leadrope.

I would continue with the loading practice and maybe go to a few competitions without entering, just to soak up the atmosphere. That way if it takes an hour to load him, it doesn't matter you won't be getting flustered about being late etc. I'd take a helper as well, as much to support you as to give practical help. If he's a good traveller and it's not too long a journey, I would take him tacked up and get on him asap when you get there so he doesn't have time to get wound up, then just ride him round and once all is calm etc pop him back on and take him home, or maybe ride round for a few minutes and then go for a little calm hack. He just needs to learn that it's not all really exciting, if you don't feel able to do it the first few times maybe a friend or your instructor could help you out? If after that, it's still a problem that's when I would consider selling.
 
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I agree that he most definitely does not sound the wrong horse for you! You've come such a long way with him and you love him - he's not wrong, he just has some stuff to teach you, and that's good, you'd be bored otherwise!

Only thing I thought was that probably you were tense when you went to load him - he didn't know he was going to a show that day did he? You can work on this, particularly with the help of an instructor.

Also rang a bell with me when you said your instructor said he was lazy - when my lad was young (also a big strong thing, see sig!) I was dreadfully overhorsed, and it's true to say I couldn't make him go, and I also couldn't make him stop. People would stare like I was mad when I said it, but it was true! He would be a slug, and then take off. A good instructor taught me to take charge and ride him strongly forward - in anticipation of him bogging off, I was shutting him down and was tense. The riding forward showed that I was in charge, and I dictate the pace - so it helped with the p|ssing off too!

Sorry bit of a ramble, just wanted to add another vote for the don't give up club, I think you did a great job with him and just because you had a few issues loading at one show doesn't mean you should give up on him. Good horses that you gel with are hard to find and far too many people give up too easily, IMHO from being on livery yards for years!

Keep us posted, also got any pics?? xx
 
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