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[HollyP]

Hi I'm new!

Does anyone know of anyone in the somerset area that is a master at loading horses? My mare must have had a pretty traumatic experience years ago (before i got her) as she is a nightmare to load which is an issue as I want to get out and compete and cant! Someone at my last yard did some joinup and she went on without a lead rope etc but it hasnt lasted and she wouldnt let me see what was done so i cant load the beast!

let me know...everyone is so judgemental when they dont have a horse that wont load!

 

[dianchi]

Friends of mine have got Richard Maxwell coming out for their probelm loader, he has done a few up here and i have to say he does the trick.
Normally they advertise in local horsey mags?

 

[HollyP]

hmmm expensive?! It is so frustrating!

 

[dianchi]

£400 i think

 

[DollyDolls]

It's not hard to DIY, -Just common sense & lots of time.
Our youngster had a few bad journeys & wouldn't load, so I took my time and did the following.

1. Worked out she was better with a reward after, rather than carrot being waved in her face.
2. Got good ground handling, ie walking next to me, backing up/ turns on forehand etc.
3. Follow me into different places eg a new barn.
4. Put ramp down and walked around it, again ground work.
5. Mine is quite nosey so she got bored of not being allowed in & then about 10mins after she then wanted to investigate.
6. Walk confidently towards ramp and praise for every step on it.
7. Use common sense here to end on a good note, perhaps just leave it at the 2 front feet on. Then repeat the following day or whenever is feasible.
8. Repeat & aim for more of the horse up ramp/ in box.
9. Once in stand quitely for a while and exit when ready.
10. Repeat the load/unload about 5 or 6 times. Yes it's a bit dull, but you need to keep doing it.
11. Next time load & shut ramp, then unload.
12. Try short journey when ready, possibly do a one-way trip, ie box out to where-ever and hack back.

This has worked for me & only cost me my time & effort.
PS If the horse just plants its feet at the base of ramp either try backing horse up, it will want to go forward after a while, or use a schooling whip & with the flicky bit tickle the base of fetlocks on rear legs. No hitting, just tickling.....it really works!

 

[PeterNatt]

As above it is all a matter of loading your horse quietly and without an audience once a day for 3 months so that it just becomes the norm. At the begining take it slowly and use food as a reward for going in. Park vehicle downhill so that ramp is as flat as possible.

 

[Coffee_Bean]

My horse was a bad loader. She would rear, throw herself on the floor, you name it. I got a pressure halter off the richard maxwell website, did 40 mins groudwork with her in the school, like on the DVD that comes with the pressure halter, then went to the trailer, and the angel walked on and off 12 times. Couldn't believe my eyes.

 

[Mickeymoo]

Coffee bean.... really....

 

[HollyP]

thanks for you comments, i have done a lot of ground work and that does help when controlling her around a horse box she is a lot more trusting! one of the girls at the yard is gonna let me use her box and il just try getting her used to walking next to it for a bit then the whole 2 feet on lark...she is stomach orientated so will try the whole feeding her on it! It is just frustrating that i have seen her load with no lead rope before and even then the lady said she was still really scared and rushing...

but i will put a pressure halter on even though she doesnt pull back or plant her feet....its tough to describe and im rambiing!

so coffee bean you learnt how to do it off a dvd?? was anyone with you?