Stubborn mare...loading.

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Koda

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Hi all,

I got my mare about 5 months ago and she's an absolute gem in every way...but one.

She can be stubborn to load. It's not a major problem, mostly an annoyance, but I would like to get it sorted. She loaded fine when I bought her. Then after about 3 weeks she started walking off to the side as I walked up the ramp. Then I put people on the sides and it worked. Then she figured out how to deal with that too... she would stop dead at the ramp. So now I need two people either side, and one behind and she loads easy enough, but she always makes sure we know its grudgingly :) She then gets polos and lots of praise as soon as she's in.

I know its not fear cos the odd day she walks straight in if she wants her hay. She is quiet as a mouse during travel, unloads lovely and chilled.

She's just cute as a fox when loading and has figured out she has exits. It makes life difficult if I want to go to shows by myself, on the early morning starts there's not always extra bodies up at the yard to block her exits with me...

Any suggestions on how to get her out of this habit? Thanks so much guys :)
 
Hi,

I would suggest that you open the back of the trailer (which I presume you are using) and then open the front walk her through a few times, then make her stand in it for a few minutes before walking her off.. key is lots of treats and fuss.

Try loading her without going anywhere and leave her stood in it with a haynet for 5 mins then walk her out.. practice is what its about.

Last time my mare was loaded she reared up and fell over backwards, I am expecting her to be scared the next time she loads and travels but I know that she just needs to build her confidence back up and she will be fine. Just need to get them used to it.. after awhile they will realise that nothing will hurt them while in the trailer.

Even if you just went for a short drive and returned to your yard, lots of fuss and out in the field without to much drama.

At the end of the day horses escape fear by bolting away from it they clearly can't do that in a small trailer so just practice it / treats and lots of fuss...

All the best with your trailer loading..
 
Mr P is the master of not fancying going out to play!!

My most recent and successful strategy is a little hippy-ish I must admit!

Everytime he stops I send him backwards or spin him round until he will move forwards/backwards/side wards just by me moving in that direction. I keep trying him forwards until theres tension/ resistance then sending him back. After a little while (5/ 10mins on a really bad day) he moves forward independently into the trailer.

It all has to come from him.

The trick is not to get angry just be quiet, forceful and their respect will come.

V x
 
Have you tried long reining her in? I had a horse that was fine to load if there were two of you but on your own he would walk into the trailer but pull back before I could get round to lift the ramp. Long reins sorted that one out as I was behind him!
 
I know how you feel. I have a pony who is the exact same. I turned loading into a game. I called it the 'In and Out Game.' I would keep trying to load him and then as soon as he was in, i would bring him back out again. I kept on doing this a couple of times until he went willingly in and then waited to come back out. I also kept on increasing the time he spent inside the trailer before bringing him back out.
Also, using a lunge rope at either side of the trailer tends to stop them from ducking out. Also, giving her feed (if she has feed) inside the trailer may encourage her tom load. Also, just putting her in the trailer, then going for a quick drive round and then straight back to the yard/field tends to say to the horse that just because she is going in trailer, doesn't mean she is going to a place at the end of the journey where she has to work!!! I hope this helps and good luck!
 
It's more likely human error which is making your mare hesitant to load.

Are you standing in a position where she has room to load? Lots of people block the entrance of the trailer, or turn and look at the horse, or weave about from side to side on the ramp...all things which will hamper loading.
 
Hi All,

thanks for your help :)

I will try to make time on a saturday regularly to load and unload a few times, and each time she loads, give her a handful of feed (perhaps polos are not insentive enough for the little madame!). Sound good? Then hopefully come sunday when its competition time she will be a bit more willing.
 
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