My Loading Demo

nice vid. It brought back a lot of memories - my neddy was not good to load when I first got her but with help from a Natural Horsemanship trainer who used the techniques shown in the video got her loading. She then went on to show me how to load my neddy, incuding some techniques for the "bad" days and I pleased to say we have far more good days then bad.

Who was the handler in the demo?
 
Great job. You are one of the RA's I would certainly have out to my horses if I needed any help. I like the way you are with people as well as horses, that counts for a lot in my book.
 
Fantastic demo. This is exactly the issue I have with my mare and I'm hoping to get a trailer in the new year and will be using these techniques with her. Your video is very helpful - shame you are so far away from us!
 
Just one question (not a criticism - but curious.) Did the trailer you were using have a front ramp on the off-side - or none.

I find with difficult loaders that having the front ramp down - and leading them THROUGH the trailer (once you get that far!) makes it a more comfortable experience for them. Did you back him out for a reason - or was it just a lack of front ramp?
 
Yes the trailer did have a front ramp. I tend to initially work with the front ramp up, as sometimes the horses can see it as an escape route and take you out rather quickly!! If the horse is finding it really difficult I will open the front ramp to make it easier for them.
In this instance he was responding pretty well. I did move on to opening the front ramp and walking him through, to really start to consolidate the work.

I also like the horse to understand how to back out when asked and under control
 
winterwood said:
...sometimes the horses can see it as an escape route and take you out rather quickly!! ...
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My horse loads just fine, but rushes out when we reach our destination. We make her stand as the breast bar is lowered, her travelling companion is always in full view, however, once she starts on her exit - it all gets a bit much for her and she rushes out.

Do you have any tips for this?
 
wanna help me load my mare??! had an RA out, didnt work. if you can get her in, she rushes out before you can put the ramp up!?
 
winterwood said:
I tend to initially work with the front ramp up, as sometimes the horses can see it as an escape route and take you out rather quickly!!
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Yep - legitimate point! I've had the odd one do a hasty exit - although I try NOT to work on loading until I have horse word perfect with 'walk on' and 'whoa'. Not always possible if you have to go and pick the bu**er up when owner has totally failed to load it!

We make her stand as the breast bar is lowered, her travelling companion is always in full view, however, once she starts on her exit - it all gets a bit much for her and she rushes out.
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I would GUESS that you haven't done enough loading AND UNLOADING practice! Many people breathe a sigh of relief when they've got horse to go on ... and leave it at that! When teaching youngsters to load, I find many will go on pretty much at first asking. But I still repeat on - and stand (and titbit) and off at LEAST 10 times in a session. Each time I load, I repeat the 'stand' bit - and increase the length of the stand period (and let them have a munch on the haynet.)

Until they've done load, stand - and off - calmly at least half-a-dozen times I don't attempt to put breastbars up - let alone ramp.

And of course you then have to ensure you give them as good a ride as humanly possible.
 
HollyB66 said:
My horse loads just fine, but rushes out when we reach our destination. We make her stand as the breast bar is lowered, her travelling companion is always in full view, however, once she starts on her exit - it all gets a bit much for her and she rushes out.

Do you have any tips for this?
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I would work on getting her to back out. Then even if she rushes she won't be coming towards/over/through you! Clip a long lead line on (20ft at least) then if she rushes out backwards let it slip through your hands. She will stop at the bottom of the ramp and you will still have hold of her without her having pulled you out of the box.
Lots of work on getting her backing up nicely should sort the problem though.

I also agree with janetgeorge regarding repetition and asking for stop/stand in the trailer
 
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naza said:
wanna help me load my mare??! had an RA out, didnt work. if you can get her in, she rushes out before you can put the ramp up!?
Click to expand...

Lots of loading repetition, with you asking her to back off and then walk on again. Also ask for just a step or two backwards and forwards when in the trailer.
In addition to this some spook busting type work with plastic bags on sticks behind her (away from the trailer initially). When she is comfortable with this, repeat with her near the ramp, then on the ramp, then when she is stood in the trailer. Break down lifting the ramp into small steps. So lift a few inches and put it down, and let the handler give her a nice stroke, then lift a little higher and so on. You may need to finish the initial session on having the ramp 3/4 of the way up amd then build on that the next time.
 
winterwood said:
I would work on getting her to back out. Then even if she rushes she won't be coming towards/over/through you! Clip a long lead line on (20ft at least) then if she rushes out backwards let it slip through your hands. She will stop at the bottom of the ramp and you will still have hold of her without her having pulled you out of the box.
Lots of work on getting her backing up nicely should sort the problem though.

I also agree with janetgeorge regarding repetition and asking for stop/stand in the trailer
Click to expand...

Thank you, when the snow clears and we can move our trailer again I think some practice is in order :D
 
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