Loading tips!

[Landcruiser]

No major experience of it myself but I have see the frustration with friends and as JulesRules said above- a session with a pro is usually worth its weight in gold if there is one local to you!

I did see a friend who's horse sounds like your -just stood there, no fear, no nothing, just standing, and eventually could be an hour or 2 or 20 mins, just like a switch would flip and he would just walk straight in!!! So what she did was back him up when he decided to stand, like reverse him down the yard, back back back back, if he didnt want to go in, she would make his life harder by going backwards - which obviously wasnt as easy as standing around for an hour getting fed or coaxed - every time he stopped on the ramp, she would back him up and keep backing him & then walk him on again - after a few times, about a good half an hour the first time, he just walked straight on. After that it only took backing him up like a couple of steps and he would get fed up with not getting his own way & just walk straight on. He doesnt like the bother of it anymore so just loads to avoid the hassle!!! Sometimes making the right way, the easy way - is a good way to get around them!!!

I was going to suggest just this. The other thing is to make it as easy as possible. Have the front ramp down and all bars out, and just practice going straight through, over and over. I travel without partition, so it's even more inviting. Also - if they stop and you are NOT doing the backing up strategy, make them look into the box, don't let them look around or daydream. It took me a lot of years and trying lots of things ( never brute force or beating/smacking I hasten to add!) but I think backing up is how we cracked it with my non loader. Also looping a rope round his bum to add pressure/annoyance.

 

[Sprat]

I echo what others have said about getting a pro out to help. My mare was a flipping nightmare to load, one session with a pro where he has given me a lot of ideas to help and she loads like a dream now.

Most effective is a pressure and release halter (and ensuring that the horse understands the concept of pressure / release), as well as keeping the legs moving if she wants to plant.

 

[Quigleyandme]

We practiced loading in and out of the box - took 25 mins and he went in 5 times after and was having a lovely time with lots of treats!
Went XC on Saturday - loaded in 5 minutes - way home he took 20.
Going to practice again this week and keep chipping away at it. It's not the end of the world just slightly frustrating!

My pony was like this. Pure FOMO. I liked to do my thing and go home and he liked to party. Well done and thanks for the update.

 

[mustardsmum]

It's so annoying isn't it? Couple of things you could try is to get someone to shoot a water pistol at the horse's back end, sometimes the shock will get them moving, a cup of cold water will also do if you haven't got a water pistol. Another thing to try is just to irritate the horse with a schooling whip, soon as he moves his feet you stop but if he plants, then the irritation starts again. I'd rather deal with one that runs back or comes off the side of the ramp than one which plants. If a bucket of food works then it's easy but with the ones I've come across it hasn't.

Seriously?? I though this sort of practice had gone out with the "crack an egg on their head if they rear" approach. Please don't shoot water at your horse.... Get someone to help you, its usually just a case of practicing when your not under pressure, walking in the box and straight out again until its as natural as walking into a stable. Do it everyday, whenever its pouring with rain and you don't fancy riding. I have a sticky loader, and this was the way we cured her. Groundwork first, walking/halting in hand quietly then walk up the ramp, don't look back, keep the pressure on the lead rope and wait. As soon as he moves, release the pressure immediately. Start using sticks, water guns and you may possibly never get him in a box again. The more confrontational it becomes, the less likely you will be successful.

 

[Surbie]

We practiced loading in and out of the box - took 25 mins and he went in 5 times after and was having a lovely time with lots of treats!
Went XC on Saturday - loaded in 5 minutes - way home he took 20.
Going to practice again this week and keep chipping away at it. It's not the end of the world just slightly frustrating!

Well done! That's good progress surely.

Took mine out for our first solo outing yesterday to a previous home as I wanted good associations - walked straight on at the yard, took 5-10ish minutes to get on for the way home after playing WTC in an open field and being fussed over by people who remembered him.

Keep chipping away!

 

[Adoni123]

Thanks guys! I'll be practicing again once a week until our next in a few weeks!