Loading Horse for First Time!

[thehorsediva]

My horse is going out on loan and I need to load him to get him there but its only a short journey. However I haven't loaded him before as he is a happy hacker and I hacked him from the place I bought him from. I am going to rent a lorry which has a very low ramp so its good for horses that are unsure. Obviously I am not going to have the luxury of having the lorry there every day to try and do the gradual approach... Just wondered if anyone had any helpful tips for the day!! Thanks

 

[LynH]

Give yourself plenty of time so if it takes a long time you won't get stressed and don't get upset if it does take ages. Also do it your way and don't be pressured by helpful advice which is contrary to your way. My horse is a 'slow' loader who was previously a 'non-loader' she needs a few mins (which is longer if she hasn't loaded for a while) to get her confidence and then walks in. You wouldn't believe how many people have tried to chase her in or force the situation. I use a pressure and release system where I face her from on the ramp and apply pressure via lunge rein and release it the second she moves forward. You could practice that for a few days beforehand so he/she gets the idea before you introduce the box.
Good luck.

 

[Paris1]

First make sure the horse leads well in hand. When I loaded my horse for the first few times he stopped at the bottom of the ramp and I waited no rushing, I had food and bribed the little darling. After a few times j dispensed with the bribery but he still required a little push on his bottom, sometimes a lean! Now he walks in and out and in and out as much as I want into a trailer a lorry first last, backward facing forwards facing.
Take plenty of time but take no nonsense, if he is good to be led and into strange stables also, he should understand when you say go it is ok.

 

[rockysmum]

By the time you have rented a box it would probably work out cheaper to just pay a local transporter to do the job for you.

If they are anything like the ones near us they are very experienced. The one I used last said he had never failed to load a horse and mine went in far better for him than they ever have done for me.