On The Lorry at Last, But Shooting Off Again....Help Please.

Elsbells

Elsbells

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We gave up on the trailer and today collected a lorry LWV2B.

I got her on with the help of the monty, a long rope and lots of damm it determination.
I could get her to stand at the top of the ramp with me, looking out from the open back and on a loosely held rope, although her spoilt stamping and rocking of the lorry, drew quite a little crowd, which seems to be a reoccuring theme for my girl.

I could get her to step out onto the ramp and then back into the open box, but as soon as I stepped down he shot off and was left standing at the top holding several feet of rope and a couple of times.......no horse!

Help please:confused:
 
What's he like going in and out of stables/narrow spaces etc? My pony was like this when I got him - he'd throw himself off from the top of the ramp. he would not unload off a front load trailer as the narrow space panicked him so he'd either throw himself out (often hitting the exit in the process and making his fear worse) or not come out at all. we actually resorted to reversing him out as that he could manage!

We basically 'cured' him by just getting on with it I guess. We took him to shows and unloaded him without really thinking about it (although did make sure the bottom of the ramp was clear of people etc first!). He eventually was fine unloading and i don't actually know when he stopped being neurotic about it, he just did. I guess we just never made a deal about it or made him wait at the top of the ramp. He never was an issue to load though and willactually load himself - we took him out 2 weeks ago and he's not been out in a wagon for about 5 years (he's 25 now). he still loaded himself and remembered how to turn himsef etc (he travels in the end).

I think it's just a case of repetition to be honest and not building it up in to anything major. let him do things how he wants to and just remain calm throughout.
 
The way I would deal with this, is park the lorry by somewhere safe, good footing, like an arena/field, even gravel (just not concrete). Then load, but do not try and force the horse to stand on there, let them decide when to come off. If they rush straight off, and do not stand and wait to be asked to unload, then at the bottom of the ramp, work them round you, in trot, really sending them forwards. Then load again. Repeat until they figure out that standing on the lorry = nice quiet time, rushing off = hard work. You can use this in reverse on a bad loader too - work them, offer them the lorry as a rest spot, then if they say no, work again.

You need a day when you have a lot of time, and you may need to repeat it to get the message in!!
 
Thanks ladyt25,

She hates narrow spaces and yes she sounds just like your boy was.

We are going to try her in the morning, but put her buddy in first so she'll be on the end too. She knew to push the white boards with her nose to open them roday and I'm guessing that's where she used to stand when she travelled in her SJ life.

Me thinks that because she was moved to 8 dealer yards in 6 months, then I moved her 4 times in 2 years to a new place, that she thinks we're moving again. A few trips with her pal around the block should sort that out if I'm right.

Shooting out could be dangerous though and I will try the reversing:)
 
SpottedCat said:
The way I would deal with this, is park the lorry by somewhere safe, good footing, like an arena/field, even gravel (just not concrete). Then load, but do not try and force the horse to stand on there, let them decide when to come off. If they rush straight off, and do not stand and wait to be asked to unload, then at the bottom of the ramp, work them round you, in trot, really sending them forwards. Then load again. Repeat until they figure out that standing on the lorry = nice quiet time, rushing off = hard work. You can use this in reverse on a bad loader too - work them, offer them the lorry as a rest spot, then if they say no, work again.

You need a day when you have a lot of time, and you may need to repeat it to get the message in!!
Click to expand...

Thanks SpottedCat, that's how I got her to load, just never thought about the unloading;)

And Chico, I know of Sue Palmer and your troubles loading. She is very good BTBH, I have learnt loads from my mare as she has been the ultimate project and I have done it all myself. I would really like to do this as it is our last fence and it's the journey, not the destination that's important to me.;):D
 
elsbells said:
Thanks SpottedCat, that's how I got her to load, just never thought about the unloading;)
Click to expand...

I expect she'll get the idea super-fast then! It is good, as it means they make the decision to accept the situation, not that you try and 'trap' them on.
 
mine hated narrow spaces - would rush in and out of a stable, would not go in a stable with a concrete floor unless there was straw. He used to hate going through gates on bridle ways (again, narrow spaces). I honestly found that just not making a big fuss about it worked best and he soon worked it out for himself. He is certainly better in a lorry than a trailer but, if I had to travel him in a trailer again I would back him out.

I didn't mean reverse him out of the wagon by the way - that was just whate we used to have to do with mine in a trailer.

In the early days it was quite scary unloading him from a wagon but the more you'd try restrain him the worse he'd be. Of course I tried to be calm and would tell him to steady but I woud not try and stop him or get in his way. He just worked out himself eventually how to do it. He still comes out fast and he will still load himself pretty quick too but he would stand in a lorry all day at a show - he is content when he's in! lol. I've had him 17 years, the rushing thing is just one of his 'things'. It's improved sooo much but he was never going to be a calm, 'normal' pony. He has issues!!!
 
ladyt25 said:
mine hated narrow spaces - would rush in and out of a stable, would not go in a stable with a concrete floor unless there was straw. He used to hate going through gates on bridle ways (again, narrow spaces). I honestly found that just not making a big fuss about it worked best and he soon worked it out for himself. He is certainly better in a lorry than a trailer but, if I had to travel him in a trailer again I would back him out.

I didn't mean reverse him out of the wagon by the way - that was just whate we used to have to do with mine in a trailer.

In the early days it was quite scary unloading him from a wagon but the more you'd try restrain him the worse he'd be. Of course I tried to be calm and would tell him to steady but I woud not try and stop him or get in his way. He just worked out himself eventually how to do it. He still comes out fast and he will still load himself pretty quick too but he would stand in a lorry all day at a show - he is content when he's in! lol. I've had him 17 years, the rushing thing is just one of his 'things'. It's improved sooo much but he was never going to be a calm, 'normal' pony. He has issues!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reassurance, this is what I am hopeing for at best.:)
 
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