Kick up the bottom required

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Joyous70

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please give me some words of wisdom, and a good kick up the butt

I fancied going jumping at the weekend, only a little pop round at one of our local venues, however, I don't have a willing victim to come with me to help with loading, and once im there.

Am i being a wuss as considering not going at all now, as I don't think i can face going alone, madam needs 2 people for loading, and once im at the venue I will need someone to watch her while i walk the course etc, i should add at this point we don't go out often and compete, generally as loading is difficult, so i know it going to be very exciting for her.
 
Its an hour round trip for me to get to Olney, and I think its probably too far this weekend, but let me know if theres another date and I'll come and give you a hand :)
 
You could leave her on the box/trailer while you walk the course but the loading issue would put me off going anywhere alone. You are likely to get far more help than you want which - while well meant - may not really help you or your horse very much. What have you tried to do to resolve the loading? As it seems to be quite restrictive for you.
 
Train her to stand on box properly so you can walk course, leaving a note in window with your number and know she will be fine for future outings.
 
ihatework said:
Well if you decide not to go due to aforementioned lack of helper then use the time wisely .... solo loading practice at home and standing on the box practice. So that in the future you can go solo.

Both are skills any competing horse needs to be taught.
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Or any horse travelling full stop. What happens if you break down on a motorway? Or horse has to get recovered on side of road?
 
Ambers Echo said:
You could leave her on the box/trailer while you walk the course but the loading issue would put me off going anywhere alone. You are likely to get far more help than you want which - while well meant - may not really help you or your horse very much. What have you tried to do to resolve the loading? As it seems to be quite restrictive for you.
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We have worked on the loading for months on end but sadly it never seems to improve to the point I can guarantee she will load for me or rather stand once on for me to shut the back bar I cant tie her first as she will panic and break whatever gives first. I have had professional help in the past and the advice was get someone to help you load.
 
Joyous70 said:
We have worked on the loading for months on end but sadly it never seems to improve to the point I can guarantee she will load for me or rather stand once on for me to shut the back bar I cant tie her first as she will panic and break whatever gives first. I have had professional help in the past and the advice was get someone to help you load.
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I don't think that was very helpful advice, you need to be able to load on your own. I think you should resolve the loading issue before you take her out anywhere.
 
oldie48 said:
I don't think that was very helpful advice, you need to be able to load on your own. I think you should resolve the loading issue before you take her out anywhere.
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I don't think it was particularly helpful either. I have battled with this now for quite a few years and I really don't know what the answer is it really is restricting us getting out and about an if I'm honest im getting really down about it. She will tie anywhere and stay put no bother but to tie her once loaded before that bar is up and she gets dangerous and I worry she will hurt herself however once the back bar is up she's as calm as anything and travels well
 
Will she load just with you but you need a second person just for the bar or does she need following up? You could always ask the organiser if it's a small show or ask on local FB groups especially if it is just putting the bar up. Would you have help at your yard? We found with one that didn't load brilliantly when he arrived that getting him out in the lorry helped hugely so begging some help may pay dividends for the future.
 
Joyous70 said:
I don't think it was particularly helpful either. I have battled with this now for quite a few years and I really don't know what the answer is it really is restricting us getting out and about an if I'm honest im getting really down about it. She will tie anywhere and stay put no bother but to tie her once loaded before that bar is up and she gets dangerous and I worry she will hurt herself however once the back bar is up she's as calm as anything and travels well
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I really sympathise it's so frustrating. Does she run backwards? If she does, I've had great success with a Richard maxwell controller halter. TBH she doesn't sound frightened because if the back goes up she travels OK. I had a mare that would run back at speed and pull me off the ramp, once she had been trained in the controller halter she knew that didn't work and would walk up the ramp but i kept loading and walking her through the trailer to the point of boredom before I tied her(I'm assuming you have a trailer, if it's a lorry you just put her on and off without tying up). I got her over it pretty quickly and another horse who was fine 80% of the time never tried to back out if he was on the controller halter. I hope you get it sorted, don't give up.
 
oldie48 said:
I really sympathise it's so frustrating. Does she run backwards? If she does, I've had great success with a Richard maxwell controller halter. TBH she doesn't sound frightened because if the back goes up she travels OK. I had a mare that would run back at speed and pull me off the ramp, once she had been trained in the controller halter she knew that didn't work and would walk up the ramp but i kept loading and walking her through the trailer to the point of boredom before I tied her(I'm assuming you have a trailer, if it's a lorry you just put her on and off without tying up). I got her over it pretty quickly and another horse who was fine 80% of the time never tried to back out if he was on the controller halter. I hope you get it sorted, don't give up.
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She used to run backwards and was very dangerous and does still pull back at speed sometimes if you put too much pressure on her she has a dually for loading but it doesn't make much difference if I'm honest. I have been loading with the front open and walking through which helps the biggest issue seems to be getting her to stay whilst I pop behind to put the bar up sometimes she just seems to go oh ok I will stay here but other times she just shoots out if you try to stop her she will take you with her and then the rearing starts and your looking at around 2 hours plus
 
How very frustrating!

If I were you I would try someone else for help to get her loading so you can manage on your own. I know a trainer who has had big successes with clicker and target training so that the horse learns to go into the box themselves and that leaves you free to put the back bar up then go to the front to tie up after the horse is secure. Takes time though!
 
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