Loading help please?

[Pidge]

Ok bear with me on this one. Pidge has always just walked on the lorry no problems whatsoever. However after he spent the day at the vets when he had his treatment for his hock spavin, he didn't want to get on the box to come home. His tail was clamped to his bum and he was not a happy chappy

went to load him on Friday and he didn't want to go on, so sis had to encourage him from behind - just a gentle push and slight slap. Came to load him today to come home and he was just as bad

How can I get him to go back to just walking on the lorry like he used to?

 

[Butterbean]

Try a Dually headcollar. And be prepared to spend some time getting him used to it and practising going in & out of the lorry. OH uses one for Marco as before that he would just decide not to load and that was it!

It only takes one bad experience for horses to decide they don't want to load. Merlin is a bad loader, I think it stems from one time when we were in a friend's lorry & it got stuck in boggy ground at the show, we couldn't open the ramp so we were stuck in for some time. However he will load as long as there are 2 lunge lines attached to the lorry forming a corridor - they don't even need to touch him. It is just a nuisance as there is no way I could load him by himself.

 

[Pidge]

thanks butterbean, what is a dually headcollar?
Is it worth trying some treats next time? He wasn't stressed or anything just didn't want to go on

 

[dozzie]

I know I'll be shot down for mentioning lunge reins but.....this method does work!!!

Lunge rein through the bit, round the bum, back through the bit the other side. Lead forward up the ramp. If the horse pulls back just increase the pressure by pulling down on the lunge rein on both sides(downwards is really important as it puts pressure on the poll and the bottom! If the horse puts its head up it can hollow its back and you wont stop it pulling away)

Before you try loading this way make sure your horse is happy with the rein behind his bum! Plus you need to know how tight to keep the lunge line to stop it slipping too low, it needs to be kept about 6-8 inches from the top of the dock but under the tail. Lead him round the yard a few times then go up the ramp. Insist he always takes a step forwards even if you let him pause, but every step is forwards. Its like an extension of the easiloader. But if you extend it to the bit on both sides you dont need extra people. Takes a bit of practice but it does seem to work.

You can use a headcollar instead but with really reluctant loaders a bridle is best. My 16.2 will rear and refuse to load, Ive tried food, leading her in and out and its great until I take her somewhere. She travels perfectly but refuses to go back into box. I know the reluctance is due to sacroiliac probs not just fear but she has to load to go to the vets!This works every time and I can get her straight into the box with no aggro.If I forget the lungeline... Im stuffed!!!

Maybe I should video before and after!

In 30 years Ive only failed once with this method! That was with a horse that had been so wound up with lunge lines and whips that there was no way it was going to happen. Not my horse I hasten to add!
Try it!