Second attempt at loading - now what?

Paint Me Proud

Paint Me Proud

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 October 2010
Messages
4,166
Visit site
Chico is still refusing to load on the horsebox.

I watched lots of video and read advice etc and had a clear idea in my mind what i wanted to do today with Chico.

Got both ramps down, bucket of feed and Chico on a lunge line.

Basically Chico will come to the bottom of the ramp then just stops. I was doing the pressure/release method, applying gentle pressure to encourage him to step forwards then releasing pressure and praising when he did.

He was doing very well but he was resisting actually stepping up onto the ramp.

Eventually he worked out he could evade the pressure by rearing up and jumping to the side of the ramp.

He wasnt scared, or nervous, he stood at the bottom of the ramp with one foot resting and his eyes drowsy when i wasnt applying pressure.

I gave up after 2 hours!
 
Personally i take a low stress approach when I have time. I make a pen at the foot of the ramp, no bigger than stable sized and then I put the horse in. I make sure he can see his hay,and water being put in the lorry and then I leave him to it. At feed times I walk through the pen with his feed and up the ramp into the lorry or trailer. It's amazing how quickly it just becomes routine to walk up the ramp. After a couple of days I'll take all the feed out and give the horse a couple of hours with no feed / hay to focus his mind, then I'll catch it up tie it up, put it's feed in the lorry and lead it up the ramp, a couple of mouthfuls and I lead down the ramp again, back up the ramp for another couple - and then down. Takes ages to get a feed down them but it does reinforce the message nicely. If that's going smoothly then you can let the horse do what it normally does during the day but feeds are given on the lorry until you feel you can stop and just load horse normally - but give a small feed for the first few times, just a mouthful in a feedbowl will do.

Any time horse reverts to being a PITA about it all a session back in the pen usually sorts it out no hassle.
 
sadly that is not something i would be able to do.
My lorry is on the livery yard carpark with limited space so i can only practice when it is quiet and there is space for me to pull the lorry forward.

I think i would have sorted it by now if i had my own land ;)
 
I hate to say it, but with a bad loader, two hours really isn't very long at all! What kind of pressure/release things were you doing? How are his manners on the ground too? Will he back up on command, move over on command etc?

ETA: re being on the carpark - do you really *need* to pull it forwards, or could you park the other way round and just drop the ramp?
 
Ive ummed and ahhed about replying, mainly as I can imagine I will get slated but here goes.
I dont know your horses history so apologies if hes had a bad experience or accident with travelling, otherwise I think he is totally taking the mickey.
Have you anyone to help you as if not I fear you will struggle on your own.
Have you tried a lunge line attached to each side of the ramp, with 2 people bringing them arround his bum to send him forwards?
Dont get in front of him when going towards the ramp, he will always win the battle as he is stronger. You need to walk him smartish towards the ramp, if he hesitates, smack him with the schooling whip you should be carrying and dont get in front of him, stay at his shoulder.
My horse was a great loader until we tried him in a trailer, at which point he scared me to death so when it came to loading him back in a lorry, he was having none of it. With the help of 3 other people, (as I was a wreck) we managed to get him in but it took over an hour. There was no standing on the ramp attempting to haul him in or bribe him in. He wasnt battered in but he was handled firmly and confidently and we were constantly going, no standing about. If he ran back out, as he kept doing, he was straight back towards the ramp. He eventually went in as I think he got fed up. Loads of praise and we shut the ramp and went for a short trip.
We then had to load him and take him for a ride every couple of days and we cracked it, he would load first time.
I loaded him last Thursday after him not being in a wagon for over 18 mths, I was a bit sceptical but on the 3rd attempt (ran out backwards twice) he went in. I was so relieved.
You really need some help, its hard on your own.
Good luck
 
SpottedCat said:
I hate to say it, but with a bad loader, two hours really isn't very long at all! What kind of pressure/release things were you doing? How are his manners on the ground too? Will he back up on command, move over on command etc?

ETA: re being on the carpark - do you really *need* to pull it forwards, or could you park the other way round and just drop the ramp?
Click to expand...


His manners are very good, he backs up and moves on command. Very responsive and follows my lead very well.

As for carpark - unfortunately due to how the side ramp opens i have to pull forward otherwise i cant get the side ramp down.


Louby - i totally agree - he is taking the proverbial big time!
I didnt want to push him more than 2 hours as we were in the full sun and we were both starting to overheat.

I am taking backup with me next time (parents are useful for something) so i think a slightly more forceful approach will be used.

I wanted to give him the opportunity of working with me but he has obviously worked out he can just plant and not move, so a bit of encouragement is in order.
 
I used the Richard Maxwell training halter with our very tricky mare! It worked within 15 mins and she now loads perfectly with it! It comes with a DVD which shows you the technique! I tried all other methods with our mare and this was the only one that worked!
 
I use monty roberts halter and is great, let her wallk in with me not in front of her, often now dont even have to use MR halter but if iffy for a couple of tries on it goes as have IW trailer always lead her out side ramp so never backs out where she went in,always load on own never more than few mins but has to be her wanting to go in as cant force550kg+ in.
 
Shame you cant leave it in the field etc as suggested with the hay net and some food!

My cob runs off the sides of the ramp so we park the trailer up against a wall to one side really tight(I have been in the jockey door shaking pony nuts to tempt him and take him in on a long lead rope to a nice hay net and yes a nice rubber bowl full of pony nuts. The previous owners did literally push him up the ramp (he is sane and not a kicker I know you never know). Fortunately he is a greedy guts so food was the key. But he doesnt load well at all fortunately isnt nasty. However I know with practice he would get use to it. However the more he run off the ramp the more he did it. So it was a case of nipping it in the bud from the start without it becoming a habit.

The two guys(farmers) who have helped me were so relaxed about the whole thing too and they just had a good way with him and were obviously so experienced...and very calm. They knew what they were doing...have to say I was fuffing! They did also put a big strap either side of his butt and push him in. They didnt give him a chance to think and it was all done really quickly and efficiently. They gave him the first go easy route and when that failed swiftly got the big butt strap and I rattled the pony nuts, greedy came in!

Cant help really, you need someone who has a few ideas and options to come and help show you what is the solution. There must be someone nearby etc to help
 
i know alot of people poopoo it but i would have a look into inteligent horsemanship. we tried for hours and hours. it took 3 hours to get my mare to load by the one we used. we used to travel in all the gear now bandages or boots with tendon support and over reach boots.
she did lots of ground work, she put trapulin on the floor with some poles on the edges and got her working over that which took a while, on, off, waiting, on it, backing on it before going to the trailer. opened the trailer front and back with out the partitions. when she stepped on the trailer she got pushed back off, on, off, on, off, (like rocking) each time futher in. until she setled. and left me to do it my self. and i almosst cried at the relief! we practiced in the field and had her there on hand if i need help 2 years down the line we go out calm and relaxed.
but before we try and load we get her listening by backing between poles highly recomended!
and another tip look at his legs not at his face and dont get worked up its hard but makes a big difference hope it helps.
 
My advise, based on getting a 16 year old mare to change from non-loader to easy loader: Get professional help.

We used a local behaviourist / trainer who uses a combination of methods.

It took a few visits and a little money, but we can now take both ponies out and about wherever and whenever we want.
 
I remember this phase well. Thankfully my boy now walks straight up. IMO dont feed, if the little sod doesnt want to load he wont and he has to learn to do it and get over his attitude (assuming there hasnt been an incident in a former life which may effect him) My boy was just being a git! I used a dually halter and he was better with no help - he showed off if he had it and reacted worse. I've spent 3-4 hours loading him and he would rear and fall over backwards - the whole nine yards! When he reared (and stayed upright) I would just keep the tension on the halter - DONT LOOK AT HIM as soon as foot came forward, release the pressure. Keep calm. If practicing DO NOT GIVE UP no matter what, if he thinks he can tit about for 2 hrs and you give up - he's won. You must keep going until he's up. All day if necessary. Good luck and keep trying
 
My horse used to be a nightmare to load would get two front feet on ramp and then just go sideways or back of. I decided one day I would get him in if it took me all day and night it took 6hrs! but now loads straight away.
I just stood at his head when he stopped and with a long whip just kept tapping his hock. He he moved too much just circled him and tried again. I didnt lose my temper didnt tell him off just praised him when he went forward. Good Luck
 
You need to give your self as much time as it takes. If he isn't frightened and is just taking the may you must make sure you win. I know this sounds daft but you must be confident. Personally I would set aside a day and enlist the help of some confident mates. Put a bridle on with lunge line though nearside over the top and clip onto far side. Wear hats and gloves!! Try and have a wall or something on one side of ramp. Have someone behind with lunge whip so that when he says no they can just give him a flick to move him on. He will prob go up and throw his toys out of the pram but you must just perservere. He will go in, but you need plenty of time and a fair amount of patience. My mare was a complete cow and this is what we did. Have to confess that what finally did the trick was to hit her a couple of times - hard. She glared at me, went in and from that day forward we never had a problem. Be positive and be firm.
 
Our TB gelding went through a phase of being a t*t to load, he wasn't scared, just couldn't be bothered. Like yours he dithered at the bottom of the ramp. I felt his attention was on other horses and people moving about the yard.
What worked was tickling his shoulder with a dressage whip, an irritation, not a smack. Tickle when he stands still and stop when he walks forward. Now he's gone back to loading first time.
Another pony we fed in the trailer, ( on the ramp for the first few times - ask the YO if you can put the trailer in a corner of a field for a couple of weeks), after a few days you can change rugs or groom gently while they eat; it does help them relax when travelling.
Good Luck.
 
i did stay very patient with him, and had ti not been getting so hot i would have carried on (we had been for a 1.5 hour hack just before).

He wasnt bother by his bucket of yummy food.

We have a plan for next time so i am hopeful it will go well :)
 
Have you tried backing him?

He walks to the bottom of the ramp and plants his feet. You ask him to go forward. He says no- then you walk him backwards firmly for 10-15 feet. Ask him to go forwards onto the lorry and repeat as needed.

Backing up like that is quite hard work for them, and gives you control of his feet. It should only take a few times before he realises that not going on is hard work. :)
 
Sounds like you had a good plan today. I had an awful loader once and its so frustrating but he sounds similar to yours, we were invited to a Monty Roberts demo but we couldn't actually get him there for it.

A good thing to try is get a food bowl full of food your horse really likes, to begin with put it at the bottom of the ramp so he has to stretch his head to get it. Gradually start moving up further and further. A good thing to do is to lift his front leg and put it on the ramp once he's relaxed lift the other.

Keep moving the food bowl further up the ramp. I have often found once the back legs are on the ramp the horse will go on. Of course once he's on lots of fuss and treats and maybe even leave him on there for a little while.
 
meandmyself said:
Have you tried backing him?

He walks to the bottom of the ramp and plants his feet. You ask him to go forward. He says no- then you walk him backwards firmly for 10-15 feet. Ask him to go forwards onto the lorry and repeat as needed.

Backing up like that is quite hard work for them, and gives you control of his feet. It should only take a few times before he realises that not going on is hard work. :)
Click to expand...
I'm not convinced that is a very good idea, although I suppose it might work with some horses. My mare will quite happily walk backwards, but then when you ask her to move forwards she plants, so you end up miles away from the horsebox! Also, with a horse that has a tendency to go up when it refuses to load, you may just make them more excitable and likely to go up.
 
meandmyself said:
Have you tried backing him?

He walks to the bottom of the ramp and plants his feet. You ask him to go forward. He says no- then you walk him backwards firmly for 10-15 feet. Ask him to go forwards onto the lorry and repeat as needed.

Backing up like that is quite hard work for them, and gives you control of his feet. It should only take a few times before he realises that not going on is hard work. :)
Click to expand...

yes i did that too. Backed him up, asked for forward, praised, backed him up, asked for forward, praised and so on.

Didnt make a difference sadly :(
 
Kokopelli said:
A good thing to try is get a food bowl full of food your horse really likes, to begin with put it at the bottom of the ramp so he has to stretch his head to get it. Gradually start moving up further and further. A good thing to do is to lift his front leg and put it on the ramp once he's relaxed lift the other.

Keep moving the food bowl further up the ramp. I have often found once the back legs are on the ramp the horse will go on. Of course once he's on lots of fuss and treats and maybe even leave him on there for a little while.
Click to expand...

Tried that too :mad: he was interested in the bowl and food for about 5 minutes then not bothered.

He is a really stubborn devil!! lol :rolleyes:
 
The Richard Maxwell halter worked wonders for me. The diva used to load perfectly when we bought her. She was used to a horsebox but we only had a trailer. Think along the lines of she had champagne taste, we had beer money !

To give her her due she did load for a few months happily in the trailer, she travels very, very well once in, but she started to get awkward. Lunge reins didnt work nor did food even though she is very food orientated. One day a friend saw her messing around not wanting to load after a comp (it had taken an hour to load her to get her there) and said she had a Richard Maxwell halter and although she wouldnt like it she would go in. Needless to say she did after putting on a performance for everyone. Going up, down, to the side and up again on numerous occasions (shes not small, a 16.2 WB of very opinionated nature when it suits her) then all of sudden she twigged she wasnt going to win and walked straight in.

I went home and bought one straightaway. It came with a dvd which I watched and continued to practice. She loads every 99.9% without a problem, only now and again protesting but she always loads within minutes even then. She loads coming home perfectly in just a headcollar the madam!

Its just takes patience but if you stick with it you do get there. I've even offered my services to frustrated parents whose stubborn little ponies who were being a pain in the ar@e at comps and they have ALWAYS loaded.

Give the RM halter ago. I cant recommend it enough. I always carry it with me when travelling just in case.
 
I would be sitting my butt on the ramp and staying all day/night til he comes! None of this pressure faff, just sit your butt down and wait. If he's taking the pee, then all this coaxing just plays to the game.

You could always eat a couple of apples and throw them onto the ramp. Every few cms. Encouraging him forwards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top