Britestar
Well-Known Member
Well actually not loading as such, as he's perfectly happy to go in, I just can't get him to stay in happily.
Background briefly, was an ok traveller, but last May threw a hissy fit after being left for 15 mins on the box, resulting in him over the breastbar and luckily not badly hurt, but plenty bruising. Trailer not so lucky and was in hospital for 6 weeks!
Anyway, trailer home and we start trying to reintroduce him to it.
He's happy to go in, but as soon as he is there, his anxiety levels soar, and he wants out. Most of the time I can stop him but if he's going, then he's going and nothing will stop him. I have tied him up a few times, but he starts hopping from foot to foot, almost piaffe. I'm reluctant to push it further, in case he's goes over again.
He will take treats whilst in there, but in a snatchy, gimme it so I can leave kind of way. Repeated loading and unloading actually makes him worse, and he become more and more anxious. One day I could feel his heartbeat through the ramp! As soon as he's off the trailer, he's back to normal, and will turn around and go straight back in, to start the whole thing again. Even if he leaps off in a panic, he'll stop, turn around and reload.
Eight months later we're still in the same situation. I don't have a school, so hacking is our only option, and its getting kinda boring.
He's a highly strung kind of guy anyway. Currently on treatment for Duodenal ulcers, and is on a calmer too (has been for years).
Trailer is an Equitrek, Showtrekka L so plenty of room. Changing transport is not an option.
Any suggestions?
Background briefly, was an ok traveller, but last May threw a hissy fit after being left for 15 mins on the box, resulting in him over the breastbar and luckily not badly hurt, but plenty bruising. Trailer not so lucky and was in hospital for 6 weeks!
Anyway, trailer home and we start trying to reintroduce him to it.
He's happy to go in, but as soon as he is there, his anxiety levels soar, and he wants out. Most of the time I can stop him but if he's going, then he's going and nothing will stop him. I have tied him up a few times, but he starts hopping from foot to foot, almost piaffe. I'm reluctant to push it further, in case he's goes over again.
He will take treats whilst in there, but in a snatchy, gimme it so I can leave kind of way. Repeated loading and unloading actually makes him worse, and he become more and more anxious. One day I could feel his heartbeat through the ramp! As soon as he's off the trailer, he's back to normal, and will turn around and go straight back in, to start the whole thing again. Even if he leaps off in a panic, he'll stop, turn around and reload.
Eight months later we're still in the same situation. I don't have a school, so hacking is our only option, and its getting kinda boring.
He's a highly strung kind of guy anyway. Currently on treatment for Duodenal ulcers, and is on a calmer too (has been for years).
Trailer is an Equitrek, Showtrekka L so plenty of room. Changing transport is not an option.
Any suggestions?