Loading issues

[maxapple]

I probably going to get an expert out to help ... but needed a few suggestions on solutions to a loading problem.

Basically my pony is a bit of a bruiser! I have to lead in a be nice (need to buy a dually I think!) otherwise he buggers off! I've done lots of ground work with him and he leads / backs up etc beautifully all of the time ... until i try in a normal headcollar and then he's off ..

So this is the same issue loading. We found a strategy that works which basically involved one person leading him and me shouting like a loon behind. It has worked all summer - I shout and he just walks on - but he has now realised that he doesn't actually have to go on if I shout as he can now just ignore me!

His new trick is to get up to the ramp and swing his bum round sideways so he is side on to the ramp. We've tried having 4 people standing there to prevent him doing itbut he is bloody strong!

I also used to make him turn circles then stand and ask him to walk on - and after a few times he would, but that doesn't work anymore either!

I now get him on by someone very strong holding a lunge rein and basically stopping him going sideways / forcing him to go in straight - but this is less than ideal as I go out a lot and really need to be able to load easily!!

He is not scared of the trailer - he's been out every weekend in lorries / trailers for years, he's just a very strong / stubborn little horror who has found a great way to avoid loading first time. Every time we find soemthing that works, he finds a way to evade it..... and it really is just a battle of wills. He will go on, just seems to enjoy deciding when he will go on!!

Any ideas!

 

[soloequestrian]

Have a look at my website www.soloequestrian.com - the solo harness might be of interest to you.

 

[Clodagh]

I can load my awkward pony by myself if I have one lungeline going from her headcollar through the tie ring and back to me and another attached to the side of the triler around her bum to me, haul on both! Also park next to a barn so they can't swing sideways off the ramp.
Someone shoving them up the bum with a broom works too, as long as you can keep them straight. then when she was in it was lots of food and praise. Like yours she wasn't at all scared, just didn't feel like being cooperative sometimes.

 

[Optimist]

If he is genuinely taking the P*!s, and not at all frightened, I suggest you ditch the yard broom in favour of a lunge whip, once he realises you mean business and it is less pleasant to be a pillock, he will soon trot happily in. Just make sure you always take the lunge whip with you, you probably won't need it but once he sees someone standing behind him, he will behave.

 

[Parkranger]

Chiffney and schooling whip

 

[VRIN]

I was at the Monty Roberts clinic at your horse a couple of weeks ago and Kelly Marks said anyone who knows of a bad loader to contact them and they will do it free of charge.

This is because they need more horses for their students to practise the loading techniques. You would take it their for the weekend (can stay or return for it as you wish)... Its their bread and butter stuff I think...

 

[AengusOg]

Whereabout are you, maxapple?

I load difficult horses for part of my living, but it's very difficult to advise people on a forum without it becoming a major novel.

I use Be-Nice halters too, and the horses I work with generally respond very well to them.......................but

Your feel and timing has to be spot on. You have to be very aware of your body position, and be careful not to block the horse when he is attempting to load.

Your timing, and duration, of the 'ask' has to be correct, and the release has to be given at the instant the horse shows the slightest offer of compliance.

There can be many different reasons for a horse to refuse to load, and every horse requires a slightly different approach. However, the main thing is to make sure that the horse is calmly re-presented to the ramp every time he fails to load; keep your self calm and be patient.

 

[Rowreach]

AengusOg talks sense. I would add that some horses are reluctant to load because of the way they are travelled, not because they are naughty, or scared of the trailer or horsebox.

Whips should be used as aids, not as threats or punishments, and the attitude of "if a horse won't do something, we'll make it" frankly p*sses me off.

It sounds like your horse's loading issues have been present for some time - there will be a reason behind it, and it is important to identify this, then deal with it using time, patience and technique in order to achieve a long-term result.

It is difficult (and ill advised) to give specific advice without seeing the horse, so you would probably find it worth getting someone out to help. It's important that you work with your horse though - no point in someone else being able to load it but you can't when you get it back.