My horse resists loading on the ramp and runs off on me

[chloecathcart]

I've always had some issues with my mare since I bought her 2 years ago when she doesn't want to do something, her go to is to go in reverse. Whether that was going through a puddle or through a stream at the start - she would plant her feet if something was unfamiliar and somethings lift her front legs off the ground and spin around saying no. It would take a while to coax her into something but once she knew it wasn't a problem/scary next time she wouldn't think twice about it. A bit problem was getting out the gate for a hack on our own, it took me almost a year to get through without any rears or trying to bolt home and even now on some hacks she chances her arm turning around to get home.

On top of that problem I've started to trailer train her as I want to take her out to shows. Thing is, sometimes she is actually ok at loading (the few times we have done it), especially when it's just myself and my mother loading and we have a bit of feed. But the last few times I tried loading she has backed off the ramp resisting the pressure, spun around and took off in the other direction not stopping for me. I found this to be a total lack of respect and possibly beyond a fear response. She ran off once when I took her away for a lesson trying to get back to the arena and I really can't have that at actual shows. What do I do in this situation where she runs off and I'm running after her? When I catch her do I reprimand her? Do I try again?

Are there ways to get her out of that headspace that she wants to run away?

 

[Fieldlife]

A longer rope, gloves, and a bridle will probably help, but I think you need the support of a good professional on the ground, before this gets any more dangerous. Do you have an instructor? Can they recommend someone who is good with groundwork, manners and loading practice.

You want to load at home, load for short trips you can hack home from if needed and build up.

Definitely dont ever tell her off when you catch her, as you are actually teaching her to refuse to be caught. She wont associate it with the running off earlier.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Have a watch of this video, Steve Young is brilliant and this warmblood does a very similar thing to what you have described

 

[Quigleyandme]

You could also consider Michael Peace’s method for solving loading issues. There’s probably something on YouTube. It worked for me at my first attempt with a very difficult and very large horse.

 

[nikkimariet]

Chain headcollar. Hat. Gloves. Lunge line.