Trailer..loading issue..putting rear bar up when on your own

[HoHum]

I've been doing some research on here and can see lots of helpful suggestions for loading, but I have a slightly different issue and any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Loading at home, for practise or the outward journey can occasionally be difficult but usually it is just one or two attempts and he's on! However loading on the return journey can be much more difficult. This time of year its hunting, but could be any type of outing, he can be very reluctant to get on the trailer and once in, he is very hard to keep in long enough to do up the bar!

If I am loading at home, I usually have help, someone who can put the rear bar up while I am still standing at his head, but often on the return journey I am on my own, or I'd rather not ask others to get behind him.
Away from home if I get him in the trailer and tie him, before I can get to the back of the trailer to put the rear bar in, he will have pulled back and exited at speed..lots broken ties or string and two leather headcollars, not to mention a loose horse on the road.

There isn't any point in trying to put lunge lines tight across his bum, he will simply keep reversing, once he's going backward's he won't be stopped by pressure behind him. I have tried loading in a Pressure halter, but won't tie up in it.
We have practised a lot at home, and he's almost happy to be "posted" and I can stay at rear and do bar, but it all goes pearshaped when we are away from home.

Any one cracked this problem? thank you

 

[Dubsie]

Years ago someone suggested something like these - they just quickly clip on. http://www.smileequestrian.co.uk/sh...d=150&osCsid=6f1fe685bf5d2ea71d7419c12de21ab0
We bought them but have never used them to date as our greedy NF just stands and munches the hay (effectively self-loading). Would having one of these combined with a quick tasty snack in a hanging feed bowl which you could clip on at the right height at the front of the trailer keep him occupied long enough to nip back and put the bar up? Either that or ask for help I wouldn't mind helping put a bar up.

 

[diddy]

Hi there,

I feel your pain, having a pony that was very sticky to load. Like yours, he would play up to come home & I was always worried I'd have to ride him all the way back! He also took no notice of the lunge rein behind him, broke his lead rope & nearly flattened me on more than one occasion so understand you not wanting to ask someone else to close up for you!

What worked for us was putting the lunge on to load him. Not round his back end, just wrapping it around the front bar so if he tried to exit at speed I had added leverage to stop him escaping. I basically "lead" him onto the trailer by pulling on the lunge line while standing next to him. I can then put the rear bar up while still holding onto him.

Should add my pony is very laid-back so doesn't get panicked when he can't back up. Instead he just gives up. It was the only thing that worked for us & trust me I tried everything! So might be worth a try?

D. x

 

[Colivet]

you could try using a lunge line as a lead rope, and passing it through a ring at the front of the trailer then returning out the ramp before "posting" him up on his own with the assistance of a gentle pressure on the lead rope - leaving you outside to do the back bar.

Just saw someone else posted the same idea at the same time.

 

[HoHum]

Dubsie, thank you but I think he will break those... but I can see a feed bowl at the right height working..don't suppose you have a link for one of those :>)?
Diddy - do you wrap it all the way around the horizontal front bar, or just over the top and out the bottom of the bar ?(does that make sense?)

 

[Bantry]

I've taught all my horses to do this, some don't really need to taught and are happy to stand and wait others need more work! I load mine in an Ifor Williams with no partition. The process is load the horse but don't tie up. Then quickly hop out the jockey door and go to the back ramp. Have the rear bar propped against the side of the box ready to grab. If the horse attempts to reverse give him tap on the rear to send him forward. Put in the rear bar but don't bother securing with clips. Then back to the front, into through the jockey door and cross tie the horse. Then back out and around to the rear, do the clips on the rear bar and put up the ramp.

The key is to do it quickly without fuss so its all done in less than 30 seconds. I know it can be trickier when you're loading at a show, 2 of the things I do are 1. leave the front ramp or top door open, it the horse has something to look at it'll hold his interest for long enough to put the bar in place. 2 bring a bucket with a handle and put something tasty in it (I use a couple of handfuls of fresh grass). Show the bucket to the horse then (if its an Ifor Williams) hook it by the handle on the round hook, front wall, in front of the horse's nose. Hopefully he's greedy like mine and he'll spend at least 20 seconds trying to get his nose into the bucket. Make sure you don't put it on the floor or he could get his head under the breast bar and then panic if he feels trapped. Hope that helps

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

My pony does exactly the same thing. He's fine to load, walks straight on then tries to back off when putting ramp up. My friend had pony seriously injure itself doing the same thing over the breaching strap which has always worried me. I know that he has respect for me and wouldn't run back when I am holding him so I enlist the help of someone to put the back up for me. I've helped others load at shows and at the end of the day we're all in this together so it would have to be a mean person to refuse to help, without good reason I think.

I taught one pony to load himself and he went straight to the hooked on bucket on the breast bar to help himself to the treat whilst I sorted out the ramp. I took him to shows like this as a yearling and never had a problem, he still loads himself today (without headcollar etc, just jumps up for fun!).

I don't have a problem usng bribes for reward when loading, it can't be nice to have to go into a small space when used to freedom. How horrid is it to go into a toilet cubicle and barely be able to turn and shut the door? We are asking a lot for a horse to go on a trailer.

Do you also have chance just to take him for short journeys and not have any pressure to load on the way back? Is it an adrendaline issue with him perhaps? Has he enjoyed the party/exercise too much and on a high?

I haven't cracked my issue with my boy but we don't really do much at the moment but food, me holding me and a willing helper seem to work for me.

 

[HoHum]

I think food in a bucket could help. I have just been giving a treat when he's securely in, tail board up.
I have removed rear section of the partition and have the front ramp open usually, although not always feasible if parked on roadside.
I have tried a few journeys which were just for a jaunt, and usually these go ok..so I think adrenaline is a factor

 

[Jnhuk]

There was a device which was fitted and it operated the front and rear bars at the same time exactly for this purpose. Can't remember the name of it sorry

 

[Dry Rot]

Is there such a thing as a bucket that can be hung in the front of an IW505?

It really needs to be forward of the breast bar to encourage a horse to go all the way into the trailer. Anything put on the floor and the horse will crack it's head on the breast bar when it lifts it. Apparently more accidents are caused by tying in the trailer before putting up the bum bar than any other single cause. I can believe it.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

Is there such a thing as a bucket that can be hung in the front of an IW505?

It really needs to be forward of the breast bar to encourage a horse to go all the way into the trailer. Anything put on the floor and the horse will crack it's head on the breast bar when it lifts it. Apparently more accidents are caused by tying in the trailer before putting up the bum bar than any other single cause. I can believe it.

That I don't know, I have an old rice trailer and the breastbar is flat rather than being round.

 

[Landcruiser]

The company that made the front/rear bar link kit have gone out of business, I'm afraid. I know, because I tried to get one a couple of years ago, as I have a horse which is just the same.

Bucket at the right height? Fix a piece of wood across the very front of the trailer at the right height, about 1 inch by 4 inches by however long you need to fit across the front leaving it just away from the bulkhead. Then you can just hook on an "over the door " feed bucket. Alternatively, use a flat backed bucket hung from the tie up in front, if you have one. Good luck!

 

[Bantry]

I don't have a problem usng bribes for reward when loading, it can't be nice to have to go into a small space when used to freedom. How horrid is it to go into a toilet cubicle and barely be able to turn and shut the door? We are asking a lot for a horse to go on a trailer.

In my case its not not so much a reward for loading more of a distraction technique to keep the horse standing still while the back bar is put in place. Once that's done and he's cross tied I would give him a handful of grass as a reward.

Is there such a thing as a bucket that can be hung in the front of an IW505?

It really needs to be forward of the breast bar to encourage a horse to go all the way into the trailer. Anything put on the floor and the horse will crack it's head on the breast bar when it lifts it. Apparently more accidents are caused by tying in the trailer before putting up the bum bar than any other single cause. I can believe it.

Any bucket with a round handle will do but preferably one without a plastic gripper at the top. There's small hook which faces forward on the front wall at about the same height as the breastbar which you can hang the bucket from. Agree with not putting anything on the floor, head needs to be up and over the breastbar.

OP if you can't leave the front ramp open you can just open the top door over the front ramp, if you have one

 

[harrysmum]

I had a horse who would exit backwards very quickly once I left his head- feeding at normal height didn't work for us as he would notice me going so I took the front breast bar down before loading and put feed bucket on floor right up at he front. Once he was in and eating with his head down he either didn't notice me moving to the back or couldn't be bothered to lift his head up out the bucket!! Once back bar was up, I then put breast bar back in place. Worked every time.

 

[Daytona]

I had this problem , I clip a bucket to the Haynet with feed, stand a min till horse happy eating it , I leave front ramp down so often horse if distracted looks out front , then slowly slip out the front ramp exit and sneak to back

Works every time for me now

Use a lead rope clip to attach the bucket to the hay net

 

[HoHum]

Looks like food in a bucket will be my next exercise. Trailer is IW505 and I think there is a hook, but will explore options.
Its reassuring to know I'm not only one with this problem and thank you all

 

[Angelbones]

Can you teach him to walk past you once you have both reached the top of the ramp, so he then walks into the stall without you, and you are at his back end ready to put the bar up? Then you nip in the front and tie him up.

 

[Tinypony]

Can you teach him to walk past you once you have both reached the top of the ramp, so he then walks into the stall without you, and you are at his back end ready to put the bar up? Then you nip in the front and tie him up.

This - Pat Parelli is much reviled, but some of the things he teaches are really handy, and he would recommend this. I'd do some work at home that gets your horse anticipating good things like a feed bucket at the front of his trailer, and teach him to load while walking up the ramp beside you. Throw the leadrope up on his back as he goes in.

 

[peaceandquiet1]

That worked for me, teach him to walk past you to the waiting bucket, stay at the back and secure him then nip to the front and tie him up. Worked for me. A schooling whip was useful to tap him with as well.

 

[philamena]

Dubsie, thank you but I think he will break those... but I can see a feed bowl at the right height working..don't suppose you have a link for one of those :>)?
Diddy - do you wrap it all the way around the horizontal front bar, or just over the top and out the bottom of the bar ?(does that make sense?)

In my lorry I have a lead rope ready tied to the right length attached to the tie ring. So I lead in, and instead of standing and tying which takes enough time for them to think about what's happening, I lead in and clip them straight on. I know that won't be the whole solution, but it'll probably help!

I had a mare who used to do this and I managed to get the loading system sufficiently well practised to be loaded, clipped on, out the groom's door and rear bar on in about 15 seconds. I also had to avoid putting her travel boots on before loading because it gave her more time to twig what was going on and to plan, so I'd shuffle around and put them on once she was fully crated in! Eventually she gave up trying to back up.

 

[Potato!]

I had a horse who would exit backwards very quickly once I left his head- feeding at normal height didn't work for us as he would notice me going so I took the front breast bar down before loading and put feed bucket on floor right up at he front. Once he was in and eating with his head down he either didn't notice me moving to the back or couldn't be bothered to lift his head up out the bucket!! Once back bar was up, I then put breast bar back in place. Worked every time.

My horse is like this, he wont go in if the brest bar is, but if i put the bar down and a bucket on the floor then it works everytime. i do travel him with no partition though just front and back bars.

 

[Birker2020]

You could rig up something like a long bar that runs the length of the inside partition of the trailer with two lengths of metal at either end so when the horse is loaded you turn it at the front and the one at the back turns too and blocks him in. They sell this item but not sure where you get it from so maybe you could get someone clever to make it for you and put it in your trailer.

I always have this problem with my horse that went to a Monty Roberts demo to held him load after years and years of no worry loading, he suddenly decided he wouldn't load any more after being frightened by some pigs at a show.

I coax mine in with feed, at the moment its a bucket of pony nuts with some pieces of soft liquorice, he is a sucker for liquorice, but when he's used to that it will be something else I will have to find him 'nice' to coax him in with. He eats his treats so I can nip through the jockey door and do up the back ramp. Fortunately he has never backed out but I hate to think what we would do if he realised he were able to!

I always go to shows on my own so I am used dealing with loading/unloading issues myself.

 

[Turks]

I have previously asked someone at an event to lead in while I do the back. I considered that the safest option for the unwitting volunteer given the horse at the time. Might help in the interim. Unfortunately, it means you are at the business end!

 

[Dry Rot]

In my lorry I have a lead rope ready tied to the right length attached to the tie ring. So I lead in, and instead of standing and tying which takes enough time for them to think about what's happening, I lead in and clip them straight on. I know that won't be the whole solution, but it'll probably help!

I had a mare who used to do this and I managed to get the loading system sufficiently well practised to be loaded, clipped on, out the groom's door and rear bar on in about 15 seconds. I also had to avoid putting her travel boots on before loading because it gave her more time to twig what was going on and to plan, so I'd shuffle around and put them on once she was fully crated in! Eventually she gave up trying to back up.

According to what I read in Monty Robert's book "Questions and Answers", tying up before putting up the rear bar is one of the biggest causes of accidents when loading. I mention that for what it is worth.

The best method for me is to desensitise ponies to loading when they are young by feeding them in the trailer. I expect my foals to voluntarily walk into a trailer and they expect to find food there. That is not treating but rewarding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfRRCkam0ug

Bad (adult) loaders are trained with the trailer backed up to the round pen with the ramp down. The candidate is then worked fairly hard in the pen. Every time they go near the ramp, the pressure is removed, i.e. I turn my back and walk away for perhaps 30 seconds, then gently resume work. Each time I ask a little more, sometimes being happy with progress of an inch or two. There is aways hard feed and a hay net in the trailer. When the pony will finally walk in and pull at the hay net, I leave them to it and sneak off and have a cup of tea. They are usually still in the trailer when I return.

I was told not to try to trap the horse that walks in, then promptly walks back out again, but to let them do it, just repeat loading and unloading. If they think they can exit in a hurry, apparently it makes them feel more secure. The jury is still out on that one. But if they are ready for a meal and can be encouraged to pull at a hay net in the trailer, I can't see the habit persisting long term.

What I do avoid is any form of force in, around, or near the trailer as that just convinces the horse that trailers = pain.

 

[Maesfen]

Teach the horse to tie up properly without any string so that it knows it can't pull back - ever. Having something with no respect for restraint is worse than having a barger IMHO.

Always have a rope fixed in trailer so you just clip on, no faffing and also lead in with the bridle (headcollar on top) and lunge line so you've got a bit more control; you can faff about and take bridle off once in and ramp up. Bucket at front with something tasty helps and echo the PP thing too

 

[HoHum]

Maesfen.. He never pulls back when tied up outside stable or to the outside of the trailer, if he did, then I'd certainly tie him so as he didn't have an easy breakaway. Its just rude behaviour in my view.
I take several people's point about having a rope in the trailer ready to clip onto ..makes sense not faffing but if I was doing that I wouldn't use the rope halter to load as I am reasonably sure you shouldn't tie up in them. Any one tried it?
I am loading with a 12ft line to give a bit more control and when practising at home the idea of letting him walk on into the trailer whilst I stay at the back can work, but it won't when we are out and about. I guess its adrenalin levels but he doesn't seem to want to go home! I have tried waiting with him tied to trailer, but after a long day's hunting there is only so long I can do that for.

 

[YasandCrystal]

How about this easiloader - reduced as out of production now. The horse can't go backward until you take the harness off so it may do the trick?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Equisafe-...t=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item4604592fc0

 

[JulesRules]

I have a similar issue.

I load in controller halter but with headcollar under and rope tied to bling twine at front ready to clip on.

I leave the front bar off as my ramp is on the off side so she can't escape with the partition locked in. I then give her feed on floor to distract. Do back bar then come back to sort out the front.

 

[monte1]

OP, I feel your pain, my horse was a very bad loader and would go in and then exit backwards at 100mph as soon as I left his head, no respect for being tied up etc, in fact used to panic him more. i could not go anywhere without a helper to shut the back bar for me. and it was so frustrating. so, lots and lots of practice and all keeping very calm as he freaks when you get heavy with him. i think we have now cracked it, I do similar to another poster, load him with lunge line attached to a basic bridle ( i keep them in the trailer all the time) he goes straight in to eat haynet, ( I did also used to tie a bucket at the front with some nuts in to occupy him) I do not tie him up and pop back through trailer to do up the back bar, still keeping hold of lunge line, so if he reverses off I don't lose him. but now he is 99% of the time perfect. and has alwasy travelled and unloaded very calmly. strangely enough he is always good to load coming home, it is when leaving yard he would play me up!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I have previously asked someone at an event to lead in while I do the back. I considered that the safest option for the unwitting volunteer given the horse at the time. Might help in the interim. Unfortunately, it means you are at the business end!

I've been roped to help load a strangers horse at an event before. I was handed a dressage whip and was told to wave it around and growl at the horse from behind, whilst the owner led it into the lorry. When this didn't work, I was ordered to whack it on the bum! I declined, as this would have put me well within kicking range, and I was shouted at for being a wuss!

I steer well clear of other people's non loaders now!