Loading - Monty Roberts Dually headcollars (also in CR)

horseywelsh

horseywelsh

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My horse has moments when he decides he doesn't want to load. Most of the time he walks straight in, but if he decides he isn't going straight in it then takes 1hr + to get him in usually. Lunge lines, food, smack bottom all don't work, he isn't fightened of trvaelling and doesn't sweat up. I have been looking into buying a dually as these are supposed to help with loading issues. All your experiences good or bad on the dually would be appreciated, before i part with my pennies to buy one. So comments please ..
Thanks
 
My OH's mare has similar issues. She will load eventually, but she makes a right song and dance of it. Up the ramp, back off, front feet in the box, back off again etc etc. Once she's in, she's no trouble at all and actually loves to go to new / different places.

We have found the Dually to work really well and has cut 2 hrs plus loading times down to 20 mins worst and straight in at best. You do need to know how to use it properly though, as used incorrectly they either do no good at all, or could actually do physical harm. If you get the DVD that comes with the Dually, it makes it very clear how to use it properly.
 
They are brilliant
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- as said above you do know how to use it properly - maybe get the local RA out to show you how to use it. We did for our ponies who wouldn't load - 2 hours later they were 'self' loading and still do - my nieces can also load them on their own. They no longer need the Dually but we keep it just in case they have a relapse.
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I use a dually too and think they are great!! I too think you are better off getting you local RA out too as they can give you a better guidence about using them and how to get the most of them etc...
My mare is a dream to handle now and even loads herself in to our trailer too!
 
Mine was a godsend with my late mare. She was a bit like your horse and sometimes would load fine and other times it could take hours! With the dually she always went straight in, it was brilliant.

I had a NH lady come out and show me how to use mine properly, she helped me load my mare the first time I used it.

The best thing about using it is you can load your horse with noone else having to help. Its also helpful if they need reminding about leading and ground manners as well
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I like them, especially since they convert straight back into a normal headcollar with no faff.
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You will need to school your horse to it before you attempt loading, and I think this is the most common area for people to come unstuck. They either don't do it, don't do it enough or make the problem worse by panicking at their horse's initial reaction to the pressure.
 
I use a dually for loading - exact same problem, not scared just a pain in the bum! They do work a treat, as soon as he pulls back keep the tension, as soon as he comes toward me - slacken and pat. We're now at a point (touch wood) that when the front feet are on the ramp, a good pat, he'll then walk up. Another thing I found useful, if loading on a trailer, is unloading backwards - I do not know why this helped, but it did. From 3hrs to 20mins max now
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With Omar the dually was a god send. Even then it was still a battle but less of one than without the dually.
I sometimes use one on hovis if he's being pig ignorant and a few days later we are back in a normal headcollar.
I really rate them
 
Recommend them. My horse was awful to load at one point (e.g. 4 hrs +). Had a natural horseman come out to see her but after a month or so it wore off and she was a pain to laod again, then used dually ever since. She is usually fine now but will play up if she realises she has an ordinary headcollar on.
 
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I like them, especially since they convert straight back into a normal headcollar with no faff.
smile.gif


You will need to school your horse to it before you attempt loading, and I think this is the most common area for people to come unstuck. They either don't do it, don't do it enough or make the problem worse by panicking at their horse's initial reaction to the pressure.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can't echo enough!!! Fab when you have shown them how to do it and you have to be very quick with both the reward AND release!!
 
Very bad and unfair device.

I have one, given to me by MR himself, and taught how to use it. So I know what I'm rambling on about. I've watched the unedifying spectacle of KM at the top of a ramp hauling as hard as her little frame will allow on the noseband of a dually.

I won't use it and I won't give it away because I don't want anyone else using it - so like other pieces of "essential" equipment stays in the bottom of a box.

Far better to improve your horse handling and understand why this is a problem in the first place and work out an approach that allows your horse to feel good about loading for you.

There are fairer ways of applying pressure release than a coercive crank aross the face.

I had two very bad loaders - one downright dangerous - both load nicely now - one still takes a few minutes and I have to be patiient until he decides that he is happy to load and it is his decision - but there is no hitting, no pulling, no facial pressure at all.

Sorry...but it's just not my thing. That's the great thing about HHO - you'll get more than one viewpoint.
 
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