Horse will not go on box.

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showqa

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I am soooooo fed up, I can't tell you.

OK, I have a fabulous horse - rising 7 - and we have a great relationship. EXCEPT when it comes to loading. We've been a few places in a trailer, and he was a swine to get on it - 50 minutes minimum. No rearing, running backwards or anything like that - just plants front feet on the ramp and says "Nope - ain't going any further". So, as he's a biggish horse, I thought I'd invest in a small box which is split into two partitions as in a trailer. It's spacious, light, ramp is not too steep and very solid - great box. But guess what - he STILL will not easily go onto it. First time, one hour, second time 2 hours, third time I gave up altogether as I was freezing cold and just could not stand it for a moment longer.

Once he's on he's super chilled, he stands stock still when moving and comes off calmly without a bead of sweat. My TB mare goes on with him, on and off like a dream without a second's hesitation - almost loads herself.

What I want to know is, is this fear or him treating me like an idiot? If he's treating me like an idiot, how do I approach it? I'm not happy with aggression (whacking him with sticks, broomsticks and the like), although enticing him with food doesn't work. I've had him since he was 5 when he came from Spain, and admittedly he hasn't travelled a lot since he came here. I suppose about ten times in all. Your help is much needed!!!
 
Buy a Richard Maxwell halter... it works on discomfort if they walk backwards which releases immediately when they take a step forward... It worked for my mare and several others that are difficult to load... and do it everyday if you can...
Bx
 
This may not be the "correct" way of doing things but it achieved the desired result for me with minimal stress to horse or me!

I left the box in the field for a couple of weeks and fed her in it daily. If she didn't go in the box she didn't get her feed (was only chaff with vit sup). Took a few days but eventually she played ball and has been good (most of the time) since.
 
have you tried a lunge line behind him? i know you say he doesnt go back etc but it may encourage him forwards when applying slight pressure.
i know exactly what you mean about waving sticks etc... my mare was nightmare to load (mainly fear) she was bag of nerves so i to do not like the concept of flapping behind them so to speak!!!
the line behind her helped her lots and we now load a dream. it took lots of patience and the more they travel the better they become in my experience, as my girl goes out weekly so it not an issue for her anymore.
hope you manage to sort it out soon. :)
 
How far does Richard Maxwell travel? I'm in North Wales!! I know that he does clinics but I'd have to get the flaming horse to the clinic!!!!
 
I use a halter thing which goes under his upper lip - works like a twitch - it's very effective for getting my horse to walk on into the box. I always use it for loading now - if he doesnt want to go on I step him away from the box, ask him to walk on by applying pressure to the halter, then when he walks on immediately release it (to remind him how it works), then he usually goes straight on :)

Before this I used to need an assistant or two and a lot of time - even left him at one yard overnight!

I can't remember what the halter is called...I'm thinking Chambon but thats not it...someone on here recommended originally and I've never looked back!
 
Well, I did the feeding thing - first thing in the morning so he must have been ready for food. He stood there and went hungry (even though the other horses had eaten and were mucnhing hay) for an hour and a half!!

I do sit for hours waiting - but at a show this just isn't going to work is it - not least because you end up surrounded by "experts" who make a bad situation worse.

From what I said do you think he is frightened of something or is he taking the Mick?
 
Right - so the rope goes over the nose and under?

Is there any risk that this encourages rearing? Did you see that at all in your horse? My horse isn't a rearer - at the moment!!

Does it come with good guidance as to how to use it? Thanks a lot.
 
get a long stick tie a plastic bag on it shake it behind horse, horse loads,
well it worked for my mare many years ago, she would not go in, tried everything under the sun, one good shake of plastic bag on stick went in straight away
 
blitznbobs said:
Buy a Richard Maxwell halter... it works on discomfort if they walk backwards which releases immediately when they take a step forward... It worked for my mare and several others that are difficult to load... and do it everyday if you can...
Bx
Click to expand...

Snap. It wasn't a Richard Maxwell but similar 'pressure halter' and pony loaded every time from then onwards.
 
This may not be to everyones liking

I hada gelding like this I used to put a tea towel on his head to cover his eyes and in the end we got it so that it had holes in and he could see and he was always fine :D
 
guess he has you well sussed out now! never try to load him when you have not got the time to accomplish the objective! even if you dont go anywhere. think you need to get some help.
 
I 2nd use of a lungeline if you haven't tried.
I've always been a bit sniffy of the method, until I saw first hand how successful it is.
Hope you manage to get it sorted, it will take time and patience
 
Ofcourseyoucan - certainly do need some help, but I don't want the help that seems on offer locally (thrash him, shove a broomstick up his proverbial, scream and shout, wave plastic bags). That is just no longterm solution. But likewise the Richard Maxwells are the other end of the country! Seems I'm stuck between a rock and a hard space and the fact is I've never had a problem loader, only the odd sticky one which has been relatively easy to resolve. Thing is I am assertive with him, and in every other area of our relationship we work so well together - BUT THIS. Arghhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
i know you said you dont want to use force, but, .. if someone else just walks very calmly up to him behind, with a brush while another is shaking food in front, then normally they go foward... i did this to my boy years ago and he is now fine.. he was relaxed tho and didnt spook

if you have a small yard, you could put your box in there, ramp down, all source of food in there and let him go in and out at will
should work
 
Have you ever tried to blind fold him? i used to have a very stubben horse which would take me hours to load, a friend told me to blind fold him, like they do to get race horses in the stalls, it took him a few mins to get used to it but then walk on, i did this for the next few times and he now goes on prefectly!
 
an old water/cooldrink bottle filled with a few little stones makes a wonderful noise when shaken so does a piece of hosepipe twirled above your head. You dont need to be aggressive with the broomstick either just touching his/her bum with the bristles usually gets them moving. Personally think he/she is taking the mick and spoiling both of your day. Good luck, the blind fold sounds good also what about backing up on to the trailer instead of forwards, that'll get it thinking.
 
Ive had a couple now.
One threw a hissy fit and tried to duck out the side all the time.
The other was a 'planter'

1st tip - Its going to take some serious time. There is no 'quick fix!!!'
2nd, try what ever you like, its your horse and you know what will work (or you will try it and definatley find it wont work!)

Dooley halter worked well for me. Or a rope pressure one.
Try lifting a leg on for him - or the lunge line, just acting as pressure to push him on contstantly.

Good luck! and whatever you do - do it again, and again and again!!!
Is he a good hacking horse? Try boxing him about every day or every weekend somewhere for some fun and he might learn it means fun (and more importantly coming home again!)
 
Inky_and_Sunny said:
Sounds like a really silly idea but it works for planters... Lift one front foot up and place it on the ramp - usually enough to get them started ;)
Click to expand...

This, as long as he's not the sort to throw himself around. This works if they are being stubborn planting themselves.

Or, someone behind with a lunge whip to tap his bum with. Often it doesn't need more than that, just the idea of something driving them forward is enough.
Tbh it sounds as if he's taking the mickey.

Or, if you have the money, I'd pay Richard Maxwell or similar to come out and get him loading for you. It'll save you hours and hours of tears and frustration.
 
Can you not find one of Kelly Marks Recommended Associates (RA's) in your area. Try website. They are equally as good as Richard Maxwell/Michael Pearce but not so expensive.
 
Happy Hunter - he is a lovely hack.

Thanks all sooo much for your advice - you've made me feel much better and certainly given me some good ideas. It's helps to know that you feel he's taking the Mick too, at least I know.

I've called Richard Maxwell's and they're actually in my area the moment but not sure whether they can get here now as he has a full diary. End of Jan would be the next time they're in this neck of the woods, but at least that's a bit of a lifeline - even if I do have to wait a bit.

Again, many thanks - really do appreciate it.
 
iv'e done loading probs for years but i'm not in your area
i also use a similar controler halter to richard maxwell

have you tried asking in your local tack shops etc
look in your local paper and ring the problem horse adds and ask if they do loading problems

last one i did she found me through a begging letter to a local tackshop ,who then rang me as i don't really do it as much anymore so i don't advertise but i would go and do it for someone who is really desperate

there might be someone like me in your local area and i think i'd prob be a darn site cheaper than RM

good luck
 
Charlie was exactly the same would plant himself at the bottom of the ramp and point blank refuse to load. Again I dont believe in hitting, whipping him etc and neiether did food work. The secret to getting Charlie loaded was to forget about doing so for a few weeks and use groundwork with a Richard Maxwell halter and his methods, using this method to gain trust and respect and also to get him to move all of his legs in the direction I wanted him to go in. Once we had established this we then introduced the trailer. Again he got to the bottom of the ramp and refused to move, by applying pressure with the halter, and a friend moving each hoof in turn, front and backs. We finally got his head in to the trailer. Then with more patience he finally walked in. The success was down to letting him take his time, having a good look and not letting him back away in any circumstances. When he went to go backwards, he had pressure applied by the halter and he soon learnt it was easier to move forwards rather than backwards. Once he had loaded once he then loaded a further 19 times that morning and another 10 in the afternoon. Since then he now walks on by himself and has never been a problem since.
If Richard Maxwell cant get to you, then try and go and watch one of his clinics. He is very friendly and will be willing to answer all of your questions. Good luck, and when you do try loading agin, make sure you have plenty of time and no pressures.
 
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