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The_snoopster

The_snoopster

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My 4 year old is off to his loan home tomorrow and will have to travel the 2 miles in a trailer, I have been unable to practice this with him as I do not drive so hiring a trailer is a no go. I also do not really have many horsey friends so cannot ask for their help in this matter.
I posted a while back about very rough treatment of a so called trainer attempting to load him, the pony was not naughty just inquisitive and nervous of the lorry. The trainers idea was to wallop the pony amongst other things, he was sent off with a flea in his ear.
So I had a freelance trainer to come out and start my pony who has so be honest been very good and adapted to being ridden extremely well, it is now time for the pony to go to his loan home and bought on some more.
I am very nervous of tomorrow due to my previous experience and I am worried this may have really given the pony a reason to not load, the loaners YO is fetching him and is fully aware of what happened before.
So has anyone got any advice to help my pony have a good loading experience, and smooth journey, he will only be on the trailer for around 15/20 minuites once he is on which is a relief.
 
Be patient, take your time and be positive.

Before you do anything, talk through with the YO how the pair of you intend to load the youngster and make sure you are happy with the suggestions made.


As the OH of a person with a poor loader, I know how painfully frustrating it can be, but it CAN be done without resorting to punishment.

Fingers crossed for you.
 
Thanks for the words of encouragment I am feeling pretty nervous at the moment, and the YO is known for his patience and understanding. The pony is a very quick learner so I am hoping that if we can just get him to the livery yard and has lots of practice with loading he will be fine for future loading, its just getting him on this once to move him that will be the sticking point.:eek:
 
Take your time & dont rush him!!!! Worst thing you can do is rush, last time i loaded my yearling we were in a rush & it took 3 hours, we moved him again on Saturday, no time constraints or pressure, we just let him take his time & encouraged him with a bit of food as well & he was loaded in 10 mins! Tell everyone else to bugger off if you have to, & dont let anyone take over because "they know best" you know your horse, he knows you. Ive seen lots of botched loadings & its mostly down to impatient people not giving the horse time to have a sniff & a nosey at the trailer, & in fairness its a huge ask of any animal to expect them to go into such a small space!
 
The key thing to do is just take your time!

When i first loaded my boy (2 years ago) it took us so long to get him in the lorry ( he had had really bad experienced before though. But the next time i tried i just stayed calm and within 5 mins he was happilly on board munching his hay.

Let him see it from all sides sniff it ect, and have the front door open so it doesnt look so bad, you could even walk him through it a few times before putting the breast bar up just so he knows he will be coming out again.
 
Def echo what the others have said re giving him time. He is his own person and is bigger and stronger than you, he needs time to check out what is being asked of him. Ensure his mind is kept on the task and you keep him pointing at the ramp, then just gently encorage and wait it out. A nice bowl of yummy tea at the top helps imensly too, and gives him a nice treat when he is on so it makes the trailer a lovely place to be! I find if I am expecting a prob, and go up prepared to wait it out, then they walk straight on like they are just wondering into their stable!! If I haven't left enough time, then you can be sure that loading will take an age. Just make sure you (or who ever is leading him) doesn't rush him and pull at his head. I hate it when people think they can physically haul them on by their heads, with someone waving about like an idiot behind the poor horse! All they will do is pull back against the pressure and get stressed! Our funny loader prefers walking into a lighter trailer, I would never leave the front ramp down or the jokey door open, but if you have a window in the front you could leave open then that might help. Also, ours won't trust the ramp if it is wobbly - maybe one side is balanced on a stone and the other side isn't so it isn't level - worth taking a few mins, before you lead your boy up, just making sure the ramp is flat and not wobbly so it feels nice and safe for him.
I bet if you are having a worry he will just wonder straight on and you will wonder what you were worrying about! Sure all will go well!
 
no matter how long it takes you have to try to not allow yourself to become irritated. Also i he wants a good sniff and look around, why not let him it will help him become less nervous.
If before you actually load you can ope the whole thing up and walk through a couple of times he will not be as reluctant to be stood in and things. Also leave plenty of time so you dont feel rushed. One the horse is in a mint or carrot is always a nice treat but i would never use food to tempt a horse in. I do however like to give a horse a treat once it is in and is relaxed.

I hope all goes well :)
 
fully agree with taking time & patience but it is REALLY important that you act as though loading is entirely normal & you are not expecting a problem. if you are nervous & expecting something to go wrong then pony will pick up on this & something will go wrong. walk towards the ramp as positively & forwardly & you never know, he might walk straight up!

easier said than done i know
 
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