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[Wicks]

I am having trouble turning my 4 year old around in the lorry. He will happily go up the ramp into the lorry and stand facing the living but when i try to turn him to the left (herringbone partitions) he steps off back down the ramp. He will turn right happily enough and stand the wrong way round but just can't get him to turn to the left. Any ideas as i am supposed to be taking him out on Monday?

 

[Mickeymoo]

Do lots of groundwork moving him around. then put him in the lorry and do the same. I would do it saturday and sunday then by monday he will have more of an idea of what you are asking him.

 

[Rhiann0n]

Has he been in the lorry before? Does he usually do this?
Does he have a problem turning left on the flat?

1. Make sure there's nothing wrong, such as minor unsoundness.

2. Practice the movement on the ground, perhaps in an enclosed space, such as his stable

3. Get him in the lorry and give him some time to just stand and take it in, before asking for the turn, he may be feeling claustrophobic?

Good Luck!

 

[Wicks]

Yes he has been in the lorry before. It is weird as he moves left and right on the ground with no trouble but as soon as he is on the lorry he decides he can't turn to the left. We have tried with food and still no luck. I think we will just have to keep practising!!

 

[MrsMozart]

I don't know the layout, but is it possible to have a lunge line attached to his head collar, run along his side and held by someone in the living area? The idea I'm aiming for is that as you ask him to move round, there is the added support of his head being pulled round a bit and his quarters being asked at the same time to shift over.

I know what I mean! I hope it makes sense

.

 

[Rhiann0n]

Maybe he doesn't like travelling the 'right' way round?

Would it be possible/safe for him to travel the other way?

 

[BSJAlove]

turn his head right round to his tummy, he will have to move his bottom over

 

[jumpthemoon]

When you say he 'steps off back down the ramp', how exactly does that happen? It sounds to me as though he is just misunderstanding what you want. When you turn him does he barge you out of the way and rush off the ramp, or does he just walk back off again?

Do you mind me asking how much experience you've had in loading horses on a herringbone lorry? Don't mean to be patronising

 

[Kenzo]

Is there any chance of removing the middle partition (say if it carries 2 - 3 horses) so he's more fully in the lorry, so you have more room to practice asking him to swing his backside to over into position so he does not immediately step off the floor onto the ramp which will no doubt be putting him off if he's feeling a little unsteady about the whole thing, once he's got the hang of it and doing it himself and the penny has dropped, then travel him last or at least bob the partitions back in place?