Horse will only load with companion

[LBJ]

Looking for advice. WB mare travels really well but is sticky loading, gradually getting worse. At first I thought she was nervous and gave her lots of time and eventually she'd go in but it has deteriorated. Front 2 feet on ramp, back end firmly planted. Put another horse on first and she happily trotted up the ramp, so clearly she's not worried about loading. I can't really take a companion everywhere so wondering what suggestions you have? I am reluctant to fall out with her (being a mare) but am wondering if I need a bit of discipline, and how to administer that?

 

[Goldenstar]

I would load her daily for her hard food for a month and see if that helps .
A mirror in the lorry or trailer might also help .

 

[Annagain]

I'd find a really good professional to give you some help. I was in a similar position - my newish horse who had loaded perfectly for a year suddenly became sticky. I'd always get him on but not in a way I'd like. We had two sessions with a professional and not only is he back to loading like a dream, I have the tools to deal with him if he becomes sticky again. It's the best £90 I've spent all year.

 

[Sealine]

My horse can be a reluctant to load alone after an incident a couple of years ago when he was travelling alone. My solution is to put a horse, so that he can see it, on or near the front ramp. He seems to focus forward on the horse and loads fine. It's not ideal but it seems to make him think forwards and he walks on happily.

 

[LEC]

Put another horse on first and she happily trotted up the ramp, so clearly she's not worried about loading.

Actually that points out that they are worried.

 

[Annagain]

Actually that points out that they are worried.

I thought Charlie was finding his feet and developing a bit of teenage 'make me' attitude but the pro said straight away that he was anxious and pointed out to me what he was doing to show that - they were pretty subtle signs. Often the two front feet on the ramp and planting behind is because they get anxious and lose pattern of their footfall so they get a bit stuck rather than choosing not to move forwards. She thought his anxiety stemmed from not wanting to leave where he had become comfortable and the friends he has in the field. When he first arrived, he wasn't settled there so he had no problem leaving but once he realised it was home he didn't want to leave it. It all makes sense now when I look back at it.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I'd find a really good professional to give you some help. I was in a similar position - my newish horse who had loaded perfectly for a year suddenly became sticky. I'd always get him on but not in a way I'd like. We had two sessions with a professional and not only is he back to loading like a dream, I have the tools to deal with him if he becomes sticky again. It's the best £90 I've spent all year.

This is sound advice but please if you decide to use a professional ask around and find out everything good and bad and what their approach is like. I got a professional in for my sticky loader and things went wrong and now he he’s terrified of being closed in so I’m in a worse position and I currently can’t travel him (due to something that happened with the expert). I wish I’d just persevered myself because he really wasn’t that bad at loading

 

[Lady Jane]

@LBJ Feeding in the lorry as suggested is a good idea. Practice going on and off without going anywhere, and a short drive and home may all help. However professional help could be the answer but do research the person, as @I don’t like mondays said, it could make matters worse. Someone above got help for £90, that sounds really cheap? I recommend Richard Maxwell for loading. Its all based on groundwork which is useful for all sorts of reasons. Where are you based?

 

[MagicMelon]

Try a pressure release halter, I find they generally work really well, otherwise I think its just purely practice. I did it every single night with my new horse for about a month and still need to redo it nown and again at home in between outings just to remind her. Lots of food, having it really open the first few times (take partition out completely) and just get her walking in, stopping then walking out. Once thats easy, partition in but pull open each end so horse can still walk through. Then move onto front bar being up, giving her food for a minute then out and keep going in and out over and over. Its all very boring but I think its the only way. Done this with several bad loaders over the years and usually after that they're very good.

 

[Annagain]

@LBJ Feeding in the lorry as suggested is a good idea. Practice going on and off without going anywhere, and a short drive and home may all help. However professional help could be the answer but do research the person, as @I don’t like mondays said, it could make matters worse. Someone above got help for £90, that sounds really cheap? I recommend Richard Maxwell for loading. Its all based on groundwork which is useful for all sorts of reasons. Where are you based?

I was that person - We had 2 sessions at £45 per session, the first was about an hr and included 10 mins of groundwork, the second 3 days later was slightly shorter as we went straight to the loading and he was loading so well we finished early. She didn't just work on getting him on, she worked on him feeling happy to go on and on giving me the tools to do the same without her being around. I don't think that's particularly cheap, certainly not cheap enough to cause alarm bells to ring. She was excellent and 2 sessions was all it took with my boy - she would have come back as many times as necessary. She's very local to me and while she has an excellent reputation locally, she's not a 'big name' so I suppose one of the big names would charge more especially if they have to travel but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone in my area.

 

[Lady Jane]

I was that person - We had 2 sessions at £45 per session, the first was about an hr and included 10 mins of groundwork, the second 3 days later was slightly shorter as we went straight to the loading and he was loading so well we finished early. She didn't just work on getting him on, she worked on him feeling happy to go on and on giving me the tools to do the same without her being around. I don't think that's particularly cheap, certainly not cheap enough to cause alarm bells to ring. She was excellent and 2 sessions was all it took with my boy - she would have come back as many times as necessary. She's very local to me and while she has an excellent reputation locally, she's not a 'big name' so I suppose one of the big names would charge more especially if they have to travel but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone in my area.

Local does help to keep the price down and as you say, if she isn't a known name. Sounds like a very useful person to have locally!

 

[Annagain]

Local does help to keep the price down and as you say, if she isn't a known name. Sounds like a very useful person to have locally!

I'd seen her results in several horses who go to my riding club before engaging her services. If anyone is in SE Wales and would like her number, give me a shout!