Last night two hours to load the Donkey

[SSM]

Tonight? 2 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After several frustrations of Donkey going into a trailer then straight back out, including 2 hours last week to come back from Show Camp I engaged the services of a local 'horse whisperer' so last night we spent two hours getting her to load - in the end we had her tied up and I walked out of the trailer and put the back bar in place!

Tonight (under hubby supervision) I attached the trailer all by myself

I want to be able to go everywhere I want and not rely on him! and then Donkey went straight in, I took her out, straight in again, took her out again and then in again and fed her in the trailer!!!!!!!!!!! When we took the back bar down I made her stand until I was ready for her to come out - I am so impressed, that I would recommend him.

 

[Weezy]

WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - fantastic news

 

[SSM]

I know!!!!!!!!!!

When I arrived at the yard tonight she was lying down, let me go into her stable, I cuddled her - she then threw her self flat out in front of me - I then panicked thinking she had colic and made her get up, but she was just showing me how relaxed she is with me

 

[Weezy]

Oh that is so lovely

I am taking P out with company again on Monday, with partitions in EEEEEEEEEK! Last time I did that she was a minx to load back up again, so I may need to call your guy if we have probs

 

[Chumsmum]

That is fab!! As an owner of a bad loader I can only imagine how great this feels

Hopefully OH will be treating me to a trailer soon

so might need the contact details.
Congratulations - no stopping you now!

 

[KatB]

FAb! So pleased for you!!

 

[Thistle]

that's great!

 

[wildpinksalmon]

Thats great well done its so nice when things go so well!!

We have a pony at the school who is only 13.3hh but a tank of a new forest HATES men and has seen the farrier and the vet off the yard!! she will walk straight onto the lorry no worries but as soon as she is in without warning she just sets her neck throws you out the way and runs of at speed then just stands at the bottom when off the ramp

she is sooooo quick about it you dont even get a chance to shut the partition

so if anyone has any ideas on this one that will be champion!!

 

[the watcher]

Weezy, suggest you do some practise walk throughs before the day to iron out any problems.

Mine all load fine now, in fact we load early in case there are problems and arrive everywhere early these days

 

[Weezy]

Ahh see she is fine at home, has been fine everytime I have travelled her, except this one time after a lesson

I won't be able to practise with this horse before the day, so just have to hope it will go OK - otherwise Calais Oak is close enough to do 2 trips home

 

[Stinkbomb]

Well done!!! Its such a weight off your mind if you dont need to worry about loading. I too have been saying i should learn how to do the trailer myself so i dont have to rely on the OH but its just so much easier letting someone else do it!!!

 

[sleepingdragon10]

Great news SSM

Don't fancy trying to convince a certain yearling that trailers aren't the spawn of satan do you

xxx

 

[Marooni]

Well done, what's the secret???
xx

 

[pottamus]

Well done! It is fab when it comes together, they just have to trust and learn that you are not going to put them into a bad place or situation, but once they realise that you are usually onto a winner. Been through the blood, sweat, tears, tantrums over loading myself and come out the other end...one less stress to worry about! I think it is really good that you are doing everything yourself so you do not have to rely on help from your OH...I did this and am so glad I did because I would never get out if I had to rely on my OH's help...as it is I was out all over the place most weekends last summer. Get yourself in a big field and get some reversing practise in if you have not already...it is really wise to be confident doing this as you never know when you might need it!

 

[samp]

Well done, having also had bad loaders I know how frustrating it can be. My mare went straight in to her horsebox on the way home from a show - I was so happy, it is such a releive

 

[SpottedCat]

[ QUOTE ]
Thats great well done its so nice when things go so well!!

We have a pony at the school who is only 13.3hh but a tank of a new forest HATES men and has seen the farrier and the vet off the yard!! she will walk straight onto the lorry no worries but as soon as she is in without warning she just sets her neck throws you out the way and runs of at speed then just stands at the bottom when off the ramp

she is sooooo quick about it you dont even get a chance to shut the partition

so if anyone has any ideas on this one that will be champion!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Leadrope already tied up to the ring you want her tied to, leadrope on headcollar round nose, lead her in and clip the leadrope in the lorry to the headcollar before she has a chance to swing her quarters round and throw you out the way!

Takes a bit of practice, and you need to keep her close to the side of the lorry with the rings so you can clip it before she has turned herringbone.

Once they have realised they can't drag you back out, they seem to stop trying. I personally use a dually headcollar as it is easier than rope round the nose and means I have a bit of leverage to keep the head facing the cab whilst I clip the rope.

From "really quite bored of being dragged back out the lorry of Gloucestershire"