Loading neddy

W

wench

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 December 2005
Messages
10,260
Visit site
has anyone got any tips on loading a horse into a trailer?

He went in a lorry for first time in at least a year on saturday. went in fine first time (got a lift with someone), and came out other end (after 5 min journery) fine.

However, when it came to coming home (in another box) he would load at all, and it was stressing him out. I know it might have been the box.

I am going to see how he reacts to a trailer tommorow, but I am due to go to a show on saturday, and if I cant get him in the trialer to come home, I will be a little frustrated!
 
Sometimes you just need to start right back at the begining. I have been getting my youngster ready for loading he is ten months. I started with letting him smell the trailer and not trying to load him. Then my OH stood at half way up the ramp with his tea in a bucket and he popped in. We did this a couple of times and let him eat his tea inside. Now he doesnt even need a feed. He actually takes a running jump into the trailer he loves it!! It just takes time and patience unfortunatley. Are you able to practice a few times this week? Sometimes boxes are harder beacuse the ramps are steeper.
 
my advise is slowly, slowly, calmy
present horse at bottom of ramp, as ask to follow you in to trailer, but do everything slow and calm, do it horses time. Make when you do it you have lots of time spare, have reward in trailer, ONLY reward if horse moved forwards and clamy DO NOT let horse turn or step backwards.
You know you own horse if shout helps do, BUT if not chillout you have the brains not the horse
When i first got my youngster it could take up to half an hour to load, but now 2secs...............
Please do end in a fluster shouting ranting and rav'in cos then why should he load??? make it a nice experience, but be firm but fair
good luck
 
Practice, practice and more practice. My horse is still more reluctant to load on the way home, however we are normally in within no time. I practice loading lots at home to get her used to the lorry etc. Also if you can have oneside on the ramp against a wall that may help?
 
Firstly, make sure the trailer is big enough! You can't expect a massive horse to ever want to get in a tiny trailer. Put some dirtyish bedding down from their stable, so it smells familiar.
Practice with all the partitions folded back out of the way, and the front ramp down, and jockey door open. Park the trailer againts a hedge at one side if poss, or block the sides of the ramp with bales if possible. put a feedbowl (one he reconiguses sp!) on the floor at the front of the trailer.
walk purposefully towards the trailer- keep looking ahead- and don't stand infront of the horse, give them space to walk into. Let him quietly eat the food then walk straight out. Repeat again and again and again etc!
If he won't go in get a helper to shake the bucket/ show him the feed then let him walk up to the bucket. Keep calm! just wait it out, he will go in eventually.
Once he is happy doing this put the breast bar up etc. then unload him.
This has worked with my horse who wouldn't load for love nor money when we first got him. Now he drags me up the ramp to get to the food - he actually starts licking his lips as soon as I put on his boots! LOL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top