Tips on loading

H

horseluver4eva

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 January 2012
Messages
593
Visit site
My horse wont load. Ive got one horse to load but i had a trailer to practice in with her. Im taking my horse to a show in a few weeks not to compete just to feel for the atmosphere but he has to load to get there. I dont have any help anymore with practicing in a trailer, he loads in to a wagon but theres no wagons available! typical! desperate help please!
 
I'm afraid the only way to work on loading a horse is by loading them

Otherwise work on your leading, get them walking over strange objects, a sheet of wood would be good etc
 
Can you get a lift from someone with a lorry who is going to the show? They might be glad to share the cost of diesel.

I'm afraid the only way to teach a horse to load into a trailer is to practice with a trailer, over and over again. Take a day when you have plenty of time, let him have a good ten minutes to take in the situation, don't rush him in, just a step at a time. Make sure you have a nice long rope, gloves and hat. If you get him in and he tries to rush out, let him (hence long rope). If you try and stop him he will feel trapped and panic and you'll have damaged his trust in you. If you let him run out and then stop him, he is more likely to try again. Once he is in and standing quietly take him out. Do this a good few times until you are absolutely sure he is relaxed and then you can put the breech bar across. If he is still relaxed, put up the ramp. Once he has relaxed, let the ramp down and let him out. Repeat a good few times.

Take your time, lots of praise, little breaks to let him think about things and don't get into a fight - you will not win.

Good luck!
 
You've got a few weeks so I suggest you use it.
Park trailer in safe place with gate shut in case something goes wrong. Always wear hat, gloves and strong boots and use a longish lead rope.
Remove central partition so it's a larger space and open both ramps.
The following can then take place over the next several days:
Lead horse up to it and around it but don't attempt to lead up ramp.
At feeding time, put feed in trailer and lead horse towards it. You may have to start by having feed on ramp or just inside trailer and move it further in over successive sessions. If horse grabs a mouthful and backs out or rushes through just go with him then come round again for another go. Don't put any pressure on him.
When he walks in for feed, let him eat it and lead him out.
Once he is going in calmly, close ramps while he eats.
Next, lead him in, give titbit, shut ramps and stand for while.
Continue with trailer hitched and start engine. When he is established at loading, go for very short drive. Even if floor has rubber mats, I recommend putting a bed down. Many horse slip on mats and that can put them off for life!
(If you need to travel with partition, introduce at this stage, with help of another horse that loads/travels well). Continue loading/feeding routine between short trips out. Hopefully, by the time of the show, he'll be trotting up ramp...
 
Thank you i will give it a try! hope he learns because even though its just early stages theres so much i want to do with him in the future
 
I have seen so many horses helped enormously with a rope halter/pressure halter. The trick is to only release the pressure when they comply, but you need to release immediately as the reward. My little man who once upon a show day I nearly carried on to the trailer because I was so frustrated took five minutes in the pressure halter then never fought again. My friends Clydesdale who was just horrendous took a week of practice, with food rewards, and now just put the rope halter on and she is straight up!
 
horseluver4eva said:
Thank you i will give it a try! hope he learns because even though its just early stages theres so much i want to do with him in the future
Click to expand...

Good for you! Time spent now will pay dividends for years to come. Horses progress at different rates and if you (and he) don't feel totally confident by date of show, I would give it a miss. There will be loads more days out to look forward to.
 
Once you've got the trailer to practice with it's just down to practice practice practice!
When I was 14 or 15 I had to teach the pony I rode to load and she was awful at first! ha ha! With a lot of patience, some willing adults to keep an eye on us and loads of practice we finally cracked it and she became a loading pro ;)
Always take safety precautions for yourself because if it goes wrong it can go badly wrong!
Have someone/2 someones to help you - don't do it yourself just in case!
Try to do it in short sessions so the horse doesn't get bored or his fragile little mind blown away by it all and just keep at it :)
Be patient but firm, don't let your nerves affect your boy.
As with all things horsey try to end on a good note so if it's been a bit of a struggle end on the best attempt.
Good luck! :D
 
**Vanner** said:
I have seen so many horses helped enormously with a rope halter/pressure halter. The trick is to only release the pressure when they comply, but you need to release immediately as the reward. My little man who once upon a show day I nearly carried on to the trailer because I was so frustrated took five minutes in the pressure halter then never fought again. My friends Clydesdale who was just horrendous took a week of practice, with food rewards, and now just put the rope halter on and she is straight up!
Click to expand...
Ooo thanks ill have a look on ebay for one now;)

oldjumper said:
Good for you! Time spent now will pay dividends for years to come. Horses progress at different rates and if you (and he) don't feel totally confident by date of show, I would give it a miss. There will be loads more days out to look forward to.
Click to expand...
Yea your right there will be:)

sandi_84 said:
Once you've got the trailer to practice with it's just down to practice practice practice!
When I was 14 or 15 I had to teach the pony I rode to load and she was awful at first! ha ha! With a lot of patience, some willing adults to keep an eye on us and loads of practice we finally cracked it and she became a loading pro ;)
Always take safety precautions for yourself because if it goes wrong it can go badly wrong!
Have someone/2 someones to help you - don't do it yourself just in case!
Try to do it in short sessions so the horse doesn't get bored or his fragile little mind blown away by it all and just keep at it :)
Be patient but firm, don't let your nerves affect your boy.
As with all things horsey try to end on a good note so if it's been a bit of a struggle end on the best attempt.
Good luck! :D
Click to expand...
Thanks for this im going to have to put it in to practise:) hope he turns in to a pro too!
 
Second vote for a pressure halter!

My new youngster can be difficult to load, planting at the bottom of the ramp, and generally being stubborn. I had him booked for a lesson recently and couldn't load him at all which was very frustrating, so decided to try a pressure halter.

As I go everywhere alone, and also keep him at home so don't always have somone to help, I had to get this issue resolved. With a pressure halter I had him loaded 6 times in a row in under 5 mins of trying, with no stress or arguements. I still practice loading every few days, always using this halter, and touch wood has been fine.

I have a Monty Roberts Dually halter which I prefer to the 'Be nice' as can also be converted into a headcollar.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top