| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bey_sirocco |
Posted - 10 Jun 2009 : 4:48:32 PM
I have not had my boy long but from what I can tell he only ever went in a box/trailer to have parts of his body removed - gelded and sarcoid op - so I can understand his relectance to load...! 
We have just invested in a 3.5 ford transit lorry so we're keen to use it!
Any tips on how I can encourage him? |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| barbara.gregory |
Posted - 21 Mar 2010 : 10:54:32 AM
If it is safe to do so leave a bucket with a few cubes in just out of reach in the middle of the ramp so that he has to put a foot on the ramp to get the cubes. Once he has done this a few times move the bucket slightly further up the ramp so he has to put both front feet on the ramp. Once he gets used to the feel and the noise he will soon realise that it isn't scarey. This only works if he is loose (and is a greedy boy) and is not being asked to go on the ramp. He will sense your negative feelings as by now you are expecting him not to go on.
I had a colt who would be trying to get on the ramp before it was even down, he literally loaded himself. We used to get really nice hay and had to unload it where he was and he was up the ramp for the hay before we had the ramp down. When we wanted to load him we just put a headcollar on him and he walked up the ramp as if he was going out to his field, in fact, I had to walk quicker than usual to keep up with him. He always associated the lorry with food and I always had a small bucket of food waiting in the lorry for him. He loaded himself dozens of time before I ever wanted him to but once I did need to load him he was brilliant.
Barbara |
| Heidi Goldsmith |
Posted - 20 Mar 2010 : 11:10:10 PM
Does anyone have any thoughts on travelling without a partition. Have seen it before and as I have problems loading with the partition in, will go in much much easier with no partition, didn't know whether it was a safe option. |
| geegee |
Posted - 11 Jun 2009 : 12:36:24 PM
Try not to make it about the horse going IN the box. If it is safe to do so, then see whether he will walk across the ramp (from side to side)
You could ask him to walk up to the ramp, then stop him and ask him to back up away from the ramp. (bit of reverse psychology  )
A Natural horsemanship person should be able to give you some great groundwork exercises to work on....
Good luck 
|
| bey_sirocco |
Posted - 11 Jun 2009 : 10:14:31 AM
Nightmare...
Backed the box up to the barn and leveled the ramp on the slope, tried for two hours coaxing with food and he won't even put a foot on it 
Going to have to get in a natural horsemanship person i think. He doesn't seem to be showing any signs of improving |
| Mrs Vlacq |
Posted - 10 Jun 2009 : 9:39:22 PM
food, patience and a bit of planning so it's easy and safe for him to go in, put bedding in so its quieter etc, use a natural funnel with walls/hedges and make the ramp more level if you have a suitable slope
Getting him calmly on and off, and little periods left on the lorry to take it all in (eating his tea) will soon show him it isn't scary
Good luck |
