horse loading

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traceyell

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help i have a cob x who ihave done all the groundwork with loading been to a few shows had no problems loading, no accidents no bad driving ,until last night at show no problems really chilled jumping, came to loading horse just basically said no way not scared or worried at all tried treats, cajoling, another horse going in nothing worked horse even maneged to kick me from the side in end it took 5 people to get him in then horse was not kicking box or making any fuss at all help dont know where to go from here
 
Sounds like a typical stubborn horse trying it on. My gelding could be exactly the same. the only thing we found to work was a chain leadrope under his chin. He learnt to move forward from it.
 
Sounds random but only thing that got my frinds horse in was a ladder behind it! Agani- not scared but very stubborn and willing to squash you- also went over backwards. As soon as we tried ladder- just walked in!

She now has a foldaway ladder to take just incase- but even the noise of unclicking it makes it go in!

Must feel very solid when pressed up its bum!
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try a pressure halter, very good, the trick is to try and get their feet moving, whether its sideways, backwards..then its easier to go forwards! This is easily done in a dually than a normal headcollar. Try this at home, when in the box, do it another 2 times!

It all comes down to herd hierachy, if a horse can move another horses feet, they are top of the herd, if you can move your horses feet (preferable without moving yours too much) you are top of the herd and there comes the respect!

I only know this as it has worked on mine, he kept planting his feet and this has worked a treat!!

Best of luck and get a dually, even if you keep it for when you need it!
 
I've heard that about ladders before and I've seen it work! Mine is more stubborn than scared but have found that the longer I've had him the more he trusts me and the more he goes on no problem tho' he can occasionly have this stubborn thing again with no apparent reason - sorry not much help
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Also didn't know about the moving the feet thing is to do with horsey heirarchy - explains why my Shetlands always go for each others legs while play-fighting
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Anyway, good luck whenever you try loading him again - anyone with loading problems has my full sympathy!
 
After spending two hours the other day loading, she goes in but back out at the speed of a bullet!! I engaged the services of Mickey Gavin, he did some ground work, getting her to follow him etc - then started taking her into the trailer - everytime she shot out he made the environment outside the tailer unpleasant - schooling whip 'tickling' her etc - he was not whipping her. he also used the hold and release approach. By the end of the session we had her tied up and I walked out and put the bar across at the back. (I am very reluctant to do this as scared of her pulling back and breaking her neck) - we have since loaded her, unloaded her, loaded her and after she stood and allowed us to put the back bar on we fed her in the trailer, to come out he wants her coming out backwards, she was made to stand (using hold and release) until I was happy for her to come out.

Good luck it is so frustrating - was it a lorry or trailer? and if a trailer did you have the partition in, Donkey, being the big greedy princess she is has to have an entire trailer to herself!!!
 
was it the same box that you've used all along and was it the same part of the box - i.e. in first, in last, middle section, whatever

apart from being stubborn there are another couple of things that could have caused upset

1 is that you had low branches hit the side or roof of the lorry en route to this venue that hadn't occured on other trips

2. is that the horse felt the floor of the lorry be unsafe - have you checked the floor lately ? I've heard more than once of a horse suddenly become difficult to load and then finding a while later that lorry floor needed attention....

if neither 1 or 2 then assume stubborn and go with advice above - I'd add a chifney and a second lead rope - one to the pressure halter and one on the chifney - stops any idea of rearing
 
Agree with the pressure halter. I have a thin rope one (almost string) which if pulled on, tightens first round the nose then round the head. Cant remember what type it was as never seen one since (its not a Dually or anything).

Has been a god send for my bolshy Welsh. He went through a phase of putting his 2 front feet on the ramp and that was it. He's just stand there!! If we got mad with him then he'd just throw a huge hissy fit so that didnt help. Basically I just walked in front of him and pulled slightly on the lead rope so pressure was on him, he didnt like it at first but I just kept with the same tension on the rope until suddenly he walked straight forward in! Its basically rewarding them because as soon as they walk on then the pressure is gone, simple. Only had to do this in about 4 sessions and he now walks straight in first time.

Also found a squeezy drinks bottle filled with water squirted from behind can help a horse shoot forward with surprise! Although only try it occassionally (ie. when you are having to go through every option if they're being a total bugger!) as I think they would get wise to it pretty quick.
 
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