Loading horses - problems and solutions

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soloequestrian

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This is actually a market research post so I hope it's going to be allowed - it links to an article that was in H&H a couple of years ago: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/article.php?aid=130748&cid=397.

I would love to know from as many of you as possible:
1. Do you have to load on your own? If so, how do you manage?
2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past?
3. How did you combat any problems?
4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)?
5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems?
6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading?

Any other loading information/ comments also gratefully received, thank you!!
 
1. Current horse can not load on it's own so needs 2
2. Always goes in but can try it on now and again
3. Calmly and always use 2 x lunge lines that cross over behind (can do with 1 person this way)
4. Claustophobic - hates herringbone travel loves my spacious but not pretty forward facing lorry
5. No
6. I would say 25 - 30%
 
1. Do you have to load on your own? If so, how do you manage? <font color="red">Normally on my own, occasionally I have a friend to help me. The horse normally walks into the horsebox anyway so the only problem i have is messing about with the partition if i am on my own </font>
2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past? <font color="red"> My first horse will only load if there is no partition in the horsebox, my second horse normally loads straight away. No problems unloading </font>
3. How did you combat any problems? <font color="red"> The first horse I have to remove the partition </font>
4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)? <font color="red"> The only problems I have experienced is my first horse has quite bad balance so needed to position himself diagonally on the horsebox </font>
5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems? <font color="red"> No </font>
6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading? <font color="red"> Probably about 80% of horseowners I would say experience problems, but the more well travelled the horse the better it is to load </font>
 
1. Do you have to load on your own? If so, how do you manage?
<font color="green"> </font> I could load on my own because she isn't a problem but the partition swings across if you don't hold it open.

<font color="black"> </font> 2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past?

<font color="green"> </font> Yes in the past, perfect now.

<font color="black"> </font> 3. How did you combat any problems?

<font color="green"> </font> Practice and in the end a broom on the bottom.

<font color="black"> </font> 4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)?

<font color="green"> </font> She used to fall over in trailers. We bought a lorry and once she realised that she was comfortable in it she seemed fine.

<font color="black"> </font> 5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems?

<font color="green"> </font> No

<font color="black"> </font> 6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading?

<font color="green"> </font> Judging on the shows I go to I'd say about 25%
 
1. Do you have to load on your own?yes If so, how do you manage? Depends on horse - easy loader no problem, easy loader and difficult loader together - put easy loader on first. Have to have diffcult loader on first - perseverance or give up and load easy loader first and swap them when i have some assistance. Difficult loader on his own- take the section A as well and load that first..
2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past? Yes
3. How did you combat any problems? different means for different horses - dependent on the problem and why
4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)?I did have one horse who lost confidence in the lorry after it was hit by a van whilst travelling. I just used to take a perfect loader and traveller with him until he was happy about the whole procedure again. Nothing else has had such an obvious cause and effect
5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems?No
6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading?I have no idea

My horses are taught to load early and are travelled every time I take another horse out for lessons etc. Then they are taught to unload and reload at competitions. This way they learn that loading is a necessary part of life, just like being shod or led etc, and they are good to load and will stand quietly on or off the lorry when out.
 
1. Do you have to load on your own? <font color="blue"> Yes</font> If so, how do you manage? By following a routine. <font color="blue"> </font> 2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past? <font color="blue"> Previous problems loading, but I never consider Star 'cured' </font>
3. How did you combat any problems? <font color="blue"> Pressure/release techniques, reward for desired behaviour and a routine.</font>
4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)? <font color="blue"> BAD experiences of loading before we got her, enclosed, dark trailers and bad driving. </font>
5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems? <font color="blue"> Not had 'proffesional' help but a very knowledgeable friend (BHSII) has helped me </font>
6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading? <font color="blue"> Lots </font>
 
I would love to know from as many of you as possible:
1. Do you have to load on your own? If so, how do you manage?
No, don't have to.

2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past?
Yes, mare used to be awful, rear vertical, throw herself on floor, you name it.

3. How did you combat any problems?
Bought a richard maxwell pressure halter, 40 mins groundwork and she went straight in. Loaded her every day for 3 months. Practise makes perfect.

4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)?
I expect she had a careless driver before I bought her.... and pure pigheadedness coupled with that.

5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems?
Nope.

6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading?
I would say at least 50% at some point!!!
 
1. Do you have to load on your own? If so, how do you manage? Yes, horse goes up ramp and into herringbone partition, is tied up on a long line and told to stand until I reach over and close the partition.
2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past? Yes, lots of problems in the past, horse would panic in a trailer.
3. How did you combat any problems? Bought a lorry - patience, practice and confident firm handling.
4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)? Trailer probably too small for large horse.
5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems? Yes, intelligent horsemanship helped for a while with the trailer loading problems.
6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading? 30%
 
1. Do you have to load on your own? If so, how do you manage?
Two mares load great,welsh cob needs lungeline visible,feed and rope round nose but no pressure to rope needed weird boy!!
2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past?
welshcob,daughters pony used to rear when loading and NEVER went in 1st time.
3. How did you combat any problems?
For Welsh as in Q 1,pony used chifney couple of times and he usually went in 2nd time so we leave it at that
4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)?
on advice by someone we thought more experienced that our partitions were too wide we narrowed them and found that he coudn't keep balance in narrower space.Much preferred wider so he could spread his legs out.
5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems?
No
6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading?
Actually haven't seen a lot of people struggling lately
confused.gif

so unknown
 
1. Do you have to load on your own? If so, how do you manage?
Yes, positive attitude, schooling whip, lunge lines just incase
2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past?
Major problems with trailer, wouldnt stay in it, tried to come through jockey door
3. How did you combat any problems?
Didnt succeed with trailer, bought wagon, firm handling, repetition and reward.
4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)?
Trailer, reckon probably small enclosed space.
5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems?
No but took 4 of us to get him in lorry after trailer problems, 2 were very experienced people.
6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading?
Most but reckon some (not all) are problems which are owner related.
 
Retired Horse Gulliver answers :
1. Do you have to load on your own? If so, how do you manage? Started initially with help then as trust built horse just loaded on his own then put bar across ramp up and run around front and tie horse up.
2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past? I have had problems when he was 4.
3. How did you combat any problems?
Crossed lunge lines and a broom (meeds 4 people)
4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)? lack of training
5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems? No
6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading? 30%

New Horse Answers
1. Do you have to load on your own? If so, how do you manage? Not yet
2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past? Yes in past
3. How did you combat any problems? Opened front flap on trailer and moved partition aside. Used patience and reward as in Fearless Horse
4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)? Lack of Training
5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems? No
6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading? 30%
 
I would love to know from as many of you as possible:
1. Do you have to load on your own? If so, how do you manage? <font color="red"> Yes. I train my horses to walk on by themselves and to stand when told</font>
2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past? <font color="red"> Not now. Front ramp caused problem unloading </font>
3. How did you combat any problems? <font color="red"> Taught horse to reverse and didn't use the front ramp, simple</font>
4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)? <font color="red">Yes, horse was going blind </font>
5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems? <font color="red"> No </font>
6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading?
<font color="red"> Difficult to quantify. As in out of 10? </font>
 
Do you have to load on your own? <font color="blue"> Sometimes</font>
If so, how do you manage? <font color="blue"> Can't be done with horse 1, horse 2 loads perfectly and stands while I walk back to fit the rear breaching bar.</font>


2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past?
<font color="blue"> Yes, horse 1 loaded fine until 5 year old then refused to go in. Major problem for 3 years. Will load now but can take 20 minutes.</font>

3. How did you combat any problems?
<font color="blue"> (a)Tried many ways (crossed lunge ropes, feeding in trailer, chifney, yard brush etc). (b)Followed Richard Maxwells methods and plenty of practice. (c)Put windows in the headroom of trailer (horse 1 seems less nervous since we did this). (a) methods didn't help and often made him worse. Combination of (b) and (c) have improved the loading but still a long way off perfect.</font>


4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)?
<font color="blue"> Horse 1 loaded into our IW 505 without a problem until we were away one day and wouldn't go in for return journey (took 3 hours to load). No accident or driving issue. He previously stood with his back feet spread but started standing with them together, lost balance and became nervous. Thought the rubber skirt on the partition may have been touching his legs which made him keep his feet together. Took partition out but he would always lean on one side of the trailer. Took advice from Richard Maxwell about tying him up shorter on one side so that he couldn't easily lean. Travelling improved but still sweats up and can refuse to load for upto 20 minutes</font>

5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems?
<font color="blue"> No, apart from buying Maxwell controller halter and dvd.</font>

6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading?
<font color="blue">Depends how you define problems. If you mean refusing and/or becoming dangerous then &lt;10%. If you mean not walking straight in and standing still, needing assistance etc then &gt;50%</font>
 
1. Do you have to load on your own? If so, how do you manage?
Yes, now. Load horse with Dually, get all four feet on (he likes to hang one off the back). I have two lead ropes already tied in trailer so clip those on (cross ties as I travel him without partitions) then run around the back and put back up.

2. Do you have problems loading (or unloading) or have you had in the past?
Yes. Horse had never been in a trailer, at 13yo, when I got him, only large (5 horse plus) lorries so hated the trailer which was understandable. I could get him in it but he wouldn't stay in it - would back out at 100 miles an hour, try to kick anyone behind him, and rear if you put a lunge line behind his bum. Or he would dive out the front as soon as he was on (nearly broke my ankle doing this once). On the odd occasion he did go on and stay on, once the back was up he would throw himself around and kick hell out of the trailer until he was let off again.

3. How did you combat any problems?
Tried the usual; feeding on there (he would eat the feed then dive out the door), hay on there, chiffney, rope through his mouth, bridle, lunge line, all of it. Eventually a fellow livery lent (sp?) me her Dually, did a couple of groundwork sessions with us and recommended a Kelly Marks RA. The RA came out and had the problem sorted within 45 mins.

4. Were you able to identify factors that caused problems eg an accident, poor driving, a trailer or lorry that was too small for the horse, lack of training, travel sickness (research says it probably happens!)?

He just didn't like the trailer. I assume it felt claustrophobic and unsteady compared to big lorries so he didn't want to go on there. Our problem was really related to his general bad manners and pigheadedness. The RA worked with me to sort out his manners as she said the issues stemmed from a general lack of respect on his part rather than being scared to load. He just didn't *want* to and didn't see why he should have to.

5. Have you paid for professional help with loading problems?
Yes, had a Kelly Marks RA out.

6. How many horse owners would you estimate have problems with loading?
How long is a piece of string?! Difficult to say. Mine has only refused to load once since the RA came out in Oct last year but there are definitely two other liveries on current yard (out of 10) whose horses are difficult to load, plus another who sometimes loads, sometimes doesn't.

I'm not sure what other info to give you. I can't load without my Dually, it's the most useful thing in my tack box! It took a while before I could load him on my own but now he's fine (apart from when he occasionally gets in to one of *those* moods, but then he won't load for anyone!).
 
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