loading problems

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Sophie1990

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I was meant to take my new horse (thats on loan with a view to buy) to his first show last month but he wouldnt load. I have been given the use of a trailer to borrow on my yard to have started trying to practice him as his owner says once he loads on a certain vehicle he will always load on it, which is proving not to be true as i managed to load him a couple of times on to the trailer but it goes back to square one the next day, and today couldnt get him on at all. I don't want to tell him off (which is what his owner suggests) because he starts rearing really high and he gets so much more stubborn when you do this. I maneged to get him on a couple of time with no lunge lines etc so would prefer to do this and don't want him breaking freinds trailer ramp as he stamps down so hard! He doesnt appear scared which is the difficult thing, he's always calm and is happy with front two legs on. Does anyone have any suggestipons?
 
In that case you know that you are acquiring a horse that is a nightmare to load. Now it just means you have to decide whether you can work with it or whether it's too much of a PITA and you send it back.

My own current preferred method is to make horse walk in circles at the end of the lead rein at the bottom of the ramp until it is so bored and fed up it walks in. It took 80 minute the first time with my new boy but required no effort on my part at all. Now if he even thinks twice about loading I just stand there and look bored and ask him to circle, by circle two he is looking to go in and on circle three I let him.
 
Get a dually halter, watch the dvd that comes with it on how to fit/use it, work him on the flat to teach him how it works and he will soon learn its easier to just go forward than planting and stamping around, especially if hes just trying it on with you.
Try not to lose your temper as it doesn't help in the long run ( I have quite a short temper so I know its difficult)
 
I have the same problem with my horse and it stresses him out more when people come at him with whips and lunge lines. I park the trailer in a quiet area with either a fence or something at thew side. I then place jump wings or barriers leading up to the ramp making a straight parth as my horse swings off the ramp. I use a pressure halter which puts slight pressure on the poll when he pulls back but when he walks on it releases associating walking onto the ramp as a good thing and he gets a treat when he is in. I also make my trailer as open as possible front ramp down jockey door open etc. Also dont look at him walk towards the ramp with the mindset he will do in and when he starts to refuse anchor yourself and look ahead into the trailer. I try to load my horse often even if he isnt going anywhere going in and out a couple of times. accosiating the trailer with something good like food.
 
ill bump this thread back up to the top for you as i have the same problem. ive never seen or sat to her rear but when she was loading she didnt half rear. but she travels excellent. hopefully we will be able to work something out
 
Take the thought of loading out of the equation and concentrate on moving the horses feet. This removes the 'intent' of loading and can help the horse to relax.

Ensure that the horse understands some simple groundwork exercises which are: Walk when you walk, stop when you stop without overtaking and back up willingly. It may also be useful to walk the horse over a sheet of plywood or tarpaulin a few times until it is going over calmly.

When approaching the trailer break it down into sections. Go forward a few paces then stop and back up and work towards the trailer. At the ramp work on simply asking for a step forward, not to load. Use pressure and release when asking for a forward step and allow time for the horse to work out what is being asked. Rewrad the horse with a stroke when it responds in a positive way. If it backs off the ramp allow the rope/line to slip through your hands, when the horse stops apply some pressure to ask it forwards again.

You can also ask the horse to walk over the ramp from side to side. By doing this you can get all four feet on the ramp, which will build confidence.

Take a look at the video in this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU6L9uz3ktg
 
My horse wasn't keen to load - initially I tried the nicely-nicely approach. After two and a half hours in one session, it was clear he wasn't scared - I lost my temper, shouted a bit, and he was in the box in five minutes flat in just a webbing headcollar and leadrope and no other aids or help. We repeated and repeated and repeated getting on and off, with a treat every time, and he hasn't so far been a problem since (touch wood).

My horse understands that not getting in = cross owner, getting in = food.
 
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