Update on disatrous evening.....(a bit long!)

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jumpthemoon

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Thanks everyone for your advice last night. I went back this morning to have another go and the first attempt was the only one where he put his feet on the ramp
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I tried the softly softly approach - noone else around, gently asking him to walk on, food bribery, patience etc, moving hooves - he was having none of it. I think he had figured out last night that if he rears he can get away with it and not go on, so even when not pressured etc he was still rearing.

I tried the backwards/forwards/backwards etc method - wound him up and he was trying to clear off then. I tried a pressure halter - he wasn't bothered by the pressure and just reared.

Generally he goes straight on with a bit of food, so I think he has been upset by something. When I got there I left him in the box for a minute or two and for some reason he went nuts. It's just occurred to me that there were pigs at the yard in a pen near where I parked and when I originally stopped he would have been able to see them out of the window. Anyway, I would normally not put any pressure on him at all and let him come up the ramp in his own time with the help of a carrot or two.

Some of you probably won't agree with the method used to get him on in the end, but the YO came out with a rope and clipeed it to the lorry, put it round his bum. I put the chifney on him as he was rearing each time he got near the lorry and we got him on like that in about 2 minutes. Once he was on he happily chewed away at his haynet and looked out of the front ramp.

The lorry is relatively new to him, but it is light and airy and there is plenty of room for him. I had the front ramp down etc so there was no apparent reason why he shouldn't have gone in. It's also forward facing.

So it looks like I'm going to have to do some work at home with him, as I don't want this hassle every time we go out. I was wondering whether to crack on and get him straight back on it again tomorrow, or leave it a couple of weeks and let him hopefully forget about it a bit? I feel bad about it being an unpleasant experience for him, but my feeling is that he didn't want to go on for whatever reason, and he found that he could avoid this by rearing. Once he'd got this in his head, he refused to even contemplate the lorry. I've had this problem with him whilst mounted and we've overcome it now - basically through battling it out and me winning.

Anyway - he's at home in the field now!
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Sorry it's so long!
 
I'd have done the same thing.

May be worth investing in a stallion cavesson, that generally does the trick too and is a bit easier to manage than a chifney.
 
I think you did the right thing as you couldn't give in and not get him on the the lorry. Personally I would put him on the box every day now until he realises it isn't going to bite and make sure you reward him with yummy treats when he is on board - once he will go up gently without any pressure then you can go back to just putting him on once or twice a week to maintain his confidence.
 
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do it again every day now. don't leave it as it will become an issue. You need to make it the norm.

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I'll get him back in it tomorrow then....I'm a little apprehensive about it!
 
Perseverance is the key here, the more you do it the less fight he will put up in the end (hopefully) You need to take him out for short journeys, somewhere where there's not too bendy roads. Feed him on there, fuss him on there.

Keep going, you're doing all the right things.
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Well done for getting it on, I know just how frustrating it is with my mare it used to take 2 and a half hours plus - then she would just walk on. Do it everyday feed him on there do it until he just walks on and finds it boring, i tried a pressure halter with Angel it did nothing, but a dually works a treat with her. She went to the loading course 2 weeks ago with Kelly Marks, they thought she was an easy target 4 students tried loading her with no joy - kelly Marks had to do it and it even took her a lot of time! The dually is definately the key it stopped her rearing!
 
Try loading him and getting him to have his tea on the lorry, if he doesn't load he doesn't get any.

I know it sounds cruel but he wont starve if he misses one meal and he will soon get the idea.
 
Well done, I know it wasn't ideal for any of you but at least you got him on. Personally i wouldn't try and pressure halter again, if you are able to safely use a chifney that is the best option and safer for you. I don't know if the following might be an idea for you to try but it worked well for me.

I had Michael Peace out 2 weeks ago and he was brilliant with my boy as he was scared of the ramp, he would eventually jump up the ramp and not put his feet on, we had the rears the moving around the evading etc and eventually he decided to walk up. What he did do as none of this is with a pressure halter it is just headcollar and rope, but he has a very long rope that he ties in a knot he then pops the loop over the horses bottom and the clip of the rope is attached to the headcollar, he then gently pulls the loop and it is the effect that you got with your YO using the lunge rope but you can do it on your own and it is easier to move the horse around into the position you need him in. It then gives him the chance not to panic if someone is behind him as you can get the desired effect without anyone walking behind him. We then just practiced up and down so many times with breaks and now I do it daily to keep him happy - note after about 8 times with the rope around bum, we took off and just lead in normal rope. Hope it all carries on working for you.
 
What a very naughty Mr Canto!! He does like to test you doesn't he? Would it help if he saw Tango go on and off a few times, and maybe followed her? She's really good to load isn't she?
 
My horse was like that 13 years ago. We did the loading every day and the method we used was.
Person A on bridle - never look back at the horse and never drag from the front.
One lunge line on right and one on left person B and C on each line.
Cross over the lunge lines on the bum and bring some tension into it.

Now the important bit dont haul dont drag just hold the tension when the horse relaxes take up a little more tension. Eventually you get a little huff and they walk in.

My boy now self loads you just lead him up the ramp and pat him.

If you have one that rears up and tries to jump lunge lines and have to give up then another option is to park your lorry somewhere safe and give all feeds on the lorry ramp. If you load your horse ok leave him in with his tea or favourite food.
 
First thing I would say, is well done for not totally losing it! Sometimes the lunge line round the bum is the only thing that will get them on. Just keep persevering - I think he is just being a git, rather than scared. My mare used to be the same, and now loads herself. With her though food is the key (unless she is in a serious mood!)
 
The pigs could really explain the whole problem. I've had two in a row who go bonkers with pigs. Years ago I tried one of them at a livery yard with pigs. We lasted three months and I couldn't take any more - he was dangerous to handle, would not hack, would not school and started loosing his mane and tail hair. Clearly he was not getting used to them! You may find everything is fine now the pigs are out of the way!
 
I've just been getting my youngster to load into my trailer happily, she would not load at all well last year, it would ofter take up to an hour- so I've spent weeks just getting her to go in and eat her tea (it helped that she was v hungry and wanted her tea!!) and now she is loading much better and is SO much happier in there. I would keep trying, every day if you can untill you and him are 100%, goo dluck
 
Glad it all worked out ok. I must start to practice with Fly too. Trouble is he will ALWAYS load coming home, its as if he thinks we are taking him away when we leave the yard! xx
 
Yes definately practice at home as often as you can, and remember once he is up unload him and re load him at least 20 times the first time, to imprint and get a learned response. If he associated stopping and rearing everytime it is important to teach him the new acceptable behaviour so it becomes the norm.
 
I agree - practice every day! and I wouldn't worry about being 'mean' to him - if he's going to be badly behaved then I don't see why you should be polite to him!!
I think it's important to judge why the horse won't load - I had this problem with my mare about going in the trailer - she used to rear up and stamp her feet in a tantrum. She wasn't scared at all and travelled fine, she was just being a madam! My dad solved the problem in about 30 secs by giving her a short sharp shock with the lunge whip - she practically dragged him in after that
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She is usually absolutely fine to load now, she can occasionally try it on when she hasn't travelled for a while, but a small reminder with a schooling stick usually does the trick. I wouldn't do this with a horse that is genuinely scared, but for one that's just being a bolshy a**e, it can be very effective!!! Mind you some horses love to pick a fight, with Missie it works because she actually doesn't like arguing, so she just gives in... You've got to know your horse I think!
 
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Thanks daisychain - I'm going to get some practice in tomorrow!

moneypit - he doesn't mind leaving the yard at all! Maybe that says something lol!

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PMSL
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Person A on bridle - never look back at the horse and never drag from the front.
One lunge line on right and one on left person B and C on each line.
Cross over the lunge lines on the bum and bring some tension into it.

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That is my favourite way- better than brooms and sticks and even better than actully lifting thier feet.
If f not enough helpers, par2 with the ramp dropped into an enclosed spacec, against a wall, or in a corner,and one helper.

If single handed, tie end of lines to a fence or gate post to make a chute.
Don't forget to unties and retrieve them before driving away!
 
I've been searching for this post!!

Glad you got him in, I don't know how long it took?

The key thing to me in reading this, is that you said you are "apprehensive" about trying to load him at home again. Do you have help? Because you can't start a battle you can't win, so if you don't have help I wouldn't start trying to load him on your own.

Once you have help, and everything in place, be assertive, and confident, otherwise he will read your vibes, and either interpret them as "there is something to worry about" or "I can take the mick, she's not in control" .. depending if his evasion is based on uncertainty or bolshyness!

Good luck though, a couple of weeks of home-practice, and you'll never look back!
 
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