LankyDoodle
Well-Known Member
Tips please!
I have a 17.3hh WB who is quite thick (can't work out turning his body when he gets in the trailer), quite chlaustrophobic (can't see enough space in there, although as trailers go, this is one of the most spacious), quite stubborn and takes the mick (I know this because he has tried similar when going into his stable and we got through that, but that is easier than loading, isn't it?).
Basically, you lead him up the ramp, get to the top, he just stands there and as you try to get him to turn, he runs back and stands at the bottom of the ramp staring at us. His last owners (our friends) used to lead him up while the other stood in the box with food trying to tempt him to turn. The one who led him then quickly jumped down and shut the doors, but quite often he'd back up while they were shutting the doors. I am more than enough convinced that he is taking the pee out of whoever loads him rather than being scared, because of other things he's done (like the stable issue for eg). I was going to get one of those halters (as per Maxwell) and try some stuff with that, then try using it to load him, but my farrier said before shelling out on one of those, try the rope over the nose (which works with my cob when leading) first, as he seems to respond to this when the farrier does it during shoeing (when he messes around).
I know the theory and I am happy to explain how to approach training a troublesome loader, but now it's coming down to it I already have knots in my stomach.
1) He is reluctant to leave my cob, so should I first try loading with the cob already in there?
2) Any other tips?
3) Help!
I have a 17.3hh WB who is quite thick (can't work out turning his body when he gets in the trailer), quite chlaustrophobic (can't see enough space in there, although as trailers go, this is one of the most spacious), quite stubborn and takes the mick (I know this because he has tried similar when going into his stable and we got through that, but that is easier than loading, isn't it?).
Basically, you lead him up the ramp, get to the top, he just stands there and as you try to get him to turn, he runs back and stands at the bottom of the ramp staring at us. His last owners (our friends) used to lead him up while the other stood in the box with food trying to tempt him to turn. The one who led him then quickly jumped down and shut the doors, but quite often he'd back up while they were shutting the doors. I am more than enough convinced that he is taking the pee out of whoever loads him rather than being scared, because of other things he's done (like the stable issue for eg). I was going to get one of those halters (as per Maxwell) and try some stuff with that, then try using it to load him, but my farrier said before shelling out on one of those, try the rope over the nose (which works with my cob when leading) first, as he seems to respond to this when the farrier does it during shoeing (when he messes around).
I know the theory and I am happy to explain how to approach training a troublesome loader, but now it's coming down to it I already have knots in my stomach.
1) He is reluctant to leave my cob, so should I first try loading with the cob already in there?
2) Any other tips?
3) Help!