Very frustrated - want to cry!

angeldelight, what part of the country are you in, as a matter of interest?

i would go back to basics with the Kelly Marks type stuff (my method is based on Richard maxwell's teaching but I'm sure it is probably very similar. Don't involve the lorry, do halter work on the ground, walking and halting, turning around you, keep lengthening your lead rope so that eventually the horse is just responding to your voice and body language and is keen to move off with you.

You do have a disadvantage with your lorry because unlike a tailer you can't just lead through it, but the method remains the same - when you are ready to practice loading keep your rope long and without tension, walk up the ramp and EXPECT the horse to follow you, don't look at the horse, be as quiet as you can be, if the horse stops then just keep facing forward and just wait, no pressure. The horse applies it's own pressure if it goes backwards.
Praise every forward movement, try to ignore any reversing. Don't use food as a bribe, but it can be a reward. Lead on and lead off, do it 10 times - then put the horse away for an hour and repeat the exercise.

I promise that if you establish this bond of trust and training that horse will follow you on with no rope at all after time.
 
My horse used to plant on the ramp as well. It was so frustrating and he was such a nervy horse that any suggestion of 'encouragement' behind and he would get very upset and start picking up his front feet and bolting for the hills. What I did was to make a little enclosure around the ramp using electric fence posts and tape (not electrified) so he had nowhere to run to. I took out all the partitions and then I had my OH stand inside with food. Bribery in various stages, first carrots, then apples, then peppermints and then if all else failed, Baileys No. 4 Mix! I knew he wouldn't tolerate a lunge whip or lunge lines so I asked him to pick up each hind foot in turn and moved him forward foot by foot. Little toad knew exactly what I wanted but it still took a good week until he went in. When you're training to load, make sure you have lots of time. They don't get to go and have fun in the field until they have loaded at least once! Otherwise they start to think you don't really mean it. Eventually they do get bored and go in but you have to be incredbily patient. I wouldn't force or sedate the horse - to a certain extent, horses only load when they want to load! Try keeping her hungry beforehand as well so she's very keen on the food bribe!
 
Hi MotherHen, I am in Bedfordshire. About 15 mins from Keysoe EC if that helps?!

I know the lorry is a disadvantage in some ways but when i first tried loading her on it she walked straight on!

Think i will try all the ground work again, she has perfect manners, but i think i need to work on it for the loading i.e small gaps etc.

I hope that after the excercises she will walk on with out the rope!
 
Get a professional loading specialist to sort her out, far less hassle, damage, and once they are sorted, they usually remain sorted, if you havent done it by now you could probably do with some help and they just have this nack!!

Does anyone on here know of anyone in OP area?? I am in Berks/Oxon and know a couple....but not sure on your location.

Would not use sedative as you dont want the hassle of it for every trip, get to the root of the problem and deal with it now, also sedative and balance dont go hand in hand lol!!
 
also, forget lunge lines they are bloody dangerous, seen far too many used and legs cut, tendons knackered. Chifney for the win, its harsh in wrong hands so use it wisely. Really depends on handler the horse, whether she is scared or being awkward etc, get a pro in!!
 
Meant to say makes no difference if a lorry or trailor, in fact easier with a lorry as you don't have to go in front at the last stage to get them in!
 
Well, I have been having probs with my tbx; He is fantastic in every way except loading. So today I had a few hours, I have been studying the Monty Roberts method of reverse psychology, backing them up so they want to go forward.

Two hours later, and he has not put a foot on the ramp, doesn't do anything, just goes backwards. It is very tiring and in the end I couldn't budge him back, his feet were planted and were not going to move. Food doesn't help, he's not interested.
In the end I got out the lunge whip, held it behind my back, and within 3 seconds he was on. I made him stay on a couple of minutes. Took him off and on about 6 times, them put the whip down. Back on and off a few more time, and in the end he was going on on his own while I stood at the bottom.

I think taking the p**s springs to mind.
 
You see this is where we do it differently, when I load I am in front, often nearly the full length of the rope, the horse isn't crowded or blocked at all - i just expect it to follow me willingly.
 
You are right, it is a fine line, and you either have to know your horse very well, or be very sure of how you are reading the body language to know the difference. I have loaded some that have been truely terrified, but they all walk on willingly in the end - the frightened ones just take more patience
 
poor you! my horse decided not to load a few yrs ago and it is soooooooooooo frustrating.
I never use force, i learnt that the hard way! but dont give up either!!! wot i did was find the cause of the non-loading first. Mine didnt like being in there on her own and she thought it was much more comfortable and nice being outside the lorry. so we made the lorry/trailer as inviting as possible, put another horse in it and lots of feed. every couple of days we would try and load her, hoof by hoof after 3 month (yes 3 months!!) she went in, ate her dinner nicely next to the other horse and we took her out again. we did that every couple of days untill she was running up the ramp for her dinner, then we took her for little journeys with the other horse (always gave her lots of carrotts and yummy haylage when she went in), she then did some shows with the other horse there. then we started taking her out on her own but with the cut through cab open so we could talk to her as we went along.

She is now (touch wood) a good loader. Occasionnaly she will stop at the ramp and not go in but if this happens i poke her in the side with my finger again and again (i dont shout, dont hit her, dont force her in anyway) she cant stand the poking, finds it INCREDIBLY irritating and will move forwards towards the ramp when she does this I stop and let her go up the ramp of her own accord, if she stops and trys to go backwards i start poking her again. When shes in she gets LOTs of attention and I still take her to a party every now and again with another horse just to keep her confidence up.

Maybe some of these tricks might work with your horse?? Give it time, if you shout and get cross it will just make her think that loadings horrid and she wont do it, or she'll go in that time coz u forced her but she'll be more reluctant to do it next time as she has bad memories. Thats my opinion
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Hope it works out, its is just soooo frustrating!!!
 
I am totally in the same boat, next weekend we are gonna start attempting to load her so im gonna try and do some of this ground work, mine is just very scared but isnt a spooky horse at all unless theres a horse box about so its out of character how she gets around them!

it is very frustrating to watch everyone else going off to competitions when I want to go to! I defo took loading horses for granted!!!
 
Someone told me the other week that a rescue centre they know always uses a brush to load and it has never failed, not once.

Now I dont mean by beating the horse with it (obviously) but by sweeping the ground behind the horse.
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If all else fails.....?
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[ QUOTE ]
Someone told me the other week that a rescue centre they know always uses a brush to load and it has never failed, not once.

Now I dont mean by beating the horse with it (obviously) but by sweeping the ground behind the horse.
crazy.gif


If all else fails.....?
crazy.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

My yard does that !!!
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Sol wasn't amused when I went about sweeping her legs
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[ QUOTE ]
You see this is where we do it differently, when I load I am in front, often nearly the full length of the rope, the horse isn't crowded or blocked at all - i just expect it to follow me willingly.



[/ QUOTE ]

I guess it all comes down to how you have done all your basic groundwork. I have always used the BHS horse at my shoulder with youngsters, I understand the NH horse following method, but personally don't like it as it teaches a different principle from the groundwork for Dressage where the horse must always be in front of the leg, same principle on the ground if you get my drift. Both methods are fine as long as you are consistent, as we know there is no right and wrong way with horses!

Interstingly one thing I have got from NH is a longer lead rope, that I like. The horse still walks level with my shoulder, just on a very loose longer rope which is safer!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Someone told me the other week that a rescue centre they know always uses a brush to load and it has never failed, not once.

Now I dont mean by beating the horse with it (obviously) but by sweeping the ground behind the horse.
crazy.gif


If all else fails.....?
crazy.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

My yard does that !!!
blush.gif

Sol wasn't amused when I went about sweeping her legs
wink.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Didn't work then???
crazy.gif
 
Everyones given great advice and I hope it works for you but just noticed you say with your box its hard to know where to stand etc? I'm guessing its backwards facing? and you have doors at the back that open?
If so, open the back doors and get someone standing there with a bucket of feed (standing in the back bit over where the horses put their heads so they are not in your way but your horse can see them).
You'll also need to lead from the right so you dont get squished on the left of the horse. Head in towards the cab end but turning the horse's head towards the back doors- you will probably need to manouvere the hind quarters round which is why its important to be on the right- if on the left you will be in horses way and he will move away from you (out of the box).
Sorry if you know all that- Renault masters are great little boxes but hard to load into- it could be horsey doesnt quite understand!! Good luck!
 
No
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But then dare I say it *gets ready to have carrot sticks pelted at her*
A very experienced problem horse man did make me give her a smack with lunge whip she then reared chewed up the lawn they had words and has never refused to go on since
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Sorry but i also think this is an ignorant comment to make and not good, practical advice.

We have travelled many horses and youngsters, i prefer using two lunge lines personally.

'Sorting out' not needed!
 
My horse loads himself, however our wagon was broken at one stage and we'd entered a competition already so borrowed a friends trailer (which in hindsight was too small) heloaded fine, travelled fine etc etc). However, come to the end of the day would the bugger go back in?! Would he sod. He obviously had not enjoyed the journey at all and there was no way in hell he was going to entertain loading back in it. Now he can be stubborn when he wants to but usually gives in when he knows you're serious! Still he was not moving, no rearing nothing just wasnt going to put a foot on it! Anyway, it was quite entertaining as a couple of men voluteered their help (thinking we were just useless women) they tried everything spinning him round and round and blindfolding him etc but he's not dim he knew when his foot touched the ramp. Funny how the guys then made 'excuses' and had to go help someone else!
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Thankfully some nice soul offered us a lift home as they were going sort of in our direction - in a wagon. My horse went straight in!!
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have you tried loading yours in a bigger wagon, see whether it is space related or if she'd just being Miss Awkward?
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You see this is where we do it differently, when I load I am in front, often nearly the full length of the rope, the horse isn't crowded or blocked at all - i just expect it to follow me willingly.



[/ QUOTE ]

I guess it all comes down to how you have done all your basic groundwork. I have always used the BHS horse at my shoulder with youngsters, I understand the NH horse following method, but personally don't like it as it teaches a different principle from the groundwork for Dressage where the horse must always be in front of the leg, same principle on the ground if you get my drift. Both methods are fine as long as you are consistent, as we know there is no right and wrong way with horses!

Interstingly one thing I have got from NH is a longer lead rope, that I like. The horse still walks level with my shoulder, just on a very loose longer rope which is safer!

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine have to understand both! NH following for loading, because that is my preferred method, and then having me at the shoulder for showing and other training - it all comes down to what your horses understand and what works for you
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i have a collection of extra long ropes too (but no carrot stick
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)
 
I would go fro a different method (than IH) since it obviously hasn't worked long term this time, there are plenty out there to try, think people have elready recommended some
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I would also be feeding her every night on the lorry.
 
Where do you have the trailer/lorry parked?? Try and have it so that there is a wall either side of the ramp.
 
I agree with you comments. People are too soft. You would not tolerate a child misbehaving so why let a horse do what it likes.

I know people are very sensative about issues like this but you have to be firm and make sure they understand that you are the boss.
 
It doesnt mean 'not giving your horse a sort out' is the soft approach.

There are sometimes more appropriate approaches.
Difficult loaders sometimes brings out the worst in horsemanship and those who are least experienced, especially those who think who bully them onboard.

Good horsemanship with experience usually works much better.
We have loaded everything with two lunge lines crossed over at the rear, clipped to the side of the horsebox and a strong pull.
Park where the horse is less able to run out.

You usually find they pop in time when they see the lunge lines crossing anyway.

Be quiet, calm and consistant.
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Doesent it sound easy.
 
Like mother_hen said, its a fine line, and knowing your horse. I've only had mine 4 months, and the first time I've owned a TB so was unsure whether to go down the nicely nicely route or the be firm one. My cob I only had to raise my voice and shout get on that b****y box!
I think ( hope) that I've worked out that he is taking the mick!
 
I have been practising loading my boy the past couple of weeks on to trailer. The first time it took 20 minutes with a "bribe" he was happy to put his feet on the ramp but the as soon as feet touched inside he kept going backwards. It got to the point where he had 2 feet on the ramp and 2 feet on the floor trying to snooze and hour and half later I honestly wanted to kill him. My OH wanted to use a lunge whip to persuade him which just made him go backwards. I then put a Dually halter which gave him the hump but I could work with him, what worked aswell was resting a whip on his legs. He went on. We did it the next night and it took 5 minutes. Tried agian last night he went on 4 times on the trot BUT flew off the out the other side, wasn't too keen to stay on even for a second so that is out next thing to try and get him to stay on.
 
Zoobie, you might find it is safer for all concerned to unload backwards. I have found that with some horses the probems start when you are front unloading and they want to rush out - and then start charging at the breast bar, but will back out quite calmly.
 
Thanks MH will try that, its was a bit disconcerting to say the least. He is not too keen on noise and him charging around like an Elephant wasn't really helping, however am pleased that he went on.
 
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