Loading issue

[~Howrse~Mad~]

My horse is perfect in every way but he just hates loading, i have tried the patience method, food, lunge reins at either side of him and behind to guide him in, holding a crop in my hand for reassurance and for encouragement for him to walk forward, i have tried widening the partition, company, a pressure point halter i have tried for more than 3 days, sometimes an hour each session, but he isn't having any of it. Sedation wouldn't work as it isn't a long term solution, and it wouldn't work if i was taking him to a competition or xc ride etc..solutions please! Thanks i'm sure he isn't being stubborn you can tell he is genuinely frightened as his eyes go out on stalks, he snorts and his nostrils flare.

 

[bonny]

Lunge reins will work.....keep up the pressure but don't try and force him in with them and have handlers who won't let the horse go backwards. I've never known it fail and it will work if the horse is just being stubborn.

 

[L&M]

I have had 2 bad loaders in my years of ownership, and both have been resolved with the help of a Dually halter (Monty Roberts). I am not saying this would cure all bad loaders, but certainly has helped me.

The halter works on a pressure/release reward system - if the horse plants the halter places pressure over their noses, but as soon as they step forward, this pressure is released. Therefore most horses quickly learn that forwards is better!!!

My new horse decided it wouldn't load for a lesson a couple of weeks ago, and took me 20 mins to load him with the help of another livery. The next day I put the Dually on him and had him loaded 6 times in under 3 mins, and practice loading every time he comes in for a ride, and touch wood, have had no further issues.

Good luck as know how frustrating loading issues can be!