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Cassie
Gold Member
 England
781 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Apr 2007 : 09:15:14 AM
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Hi
I know we have had similar topic on trailer versus lorry, I have a trailer and I can't load my mare into it she got in once when I first got it didn't go anywhere just tried her out had to put wrings down the sides and something behind her. But the other day I actually wanted to go out this time but she would not load burnt my arm on the rope she reared pulled back fell over in the end I had to stop. Over the last few nights tried feeding her in it and put water in the trailer but to no avail. Orginally I wanted a lorry but people talked me out of it saying car and trailer are best because of the road tax and ins for a lorry I wish I had stuck with my idea as she has got in a lorry in the past. My arguement is yes there is extra road tax and ins and you have to expect to right that off but I would only use it when I had money for fuel but with my big car I have to pay every day it costs me £5 per day and due to other problems couldn't afford to take trailer out until now. My OH says I will lose money on the car which I except, my friend says I won't use the lorry enough. Its all very well them saying this they don't have the problems.
My friend is coming today to try again but if it doesn't happen then I shall give up. The mare gets upset I get angry whats the point.
Anyway any suggestions on anywthing I have mentioned loading? trailer? or lorry? what do you perfer?
Christine
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rosyw
Platinum Member
England
3756 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2007 : 10:25:26 AM
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Christine, a friend of mine had a similar problem with her mare, just couldn't load her onto the trailer. At the time I had much bigger trailer than hers (more head room) so we tried that, ended up taking out the centre partition and travelling her cross tied, after a few times like this she went in straight away, every time, so it could be your mare needs a bit more space to spread her legs and balance herself as this one did. I must admit though, I got a lorry in the end, much easier even if more expense.
Rosie |
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akitamom
Gold Member
England
903 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2007 : 10:30:14 AM
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| If you want a lorry and can afford it then get one,horses are a pleasure to have,if getting a lorry will mean getting a lot more pleasure out of the horses then go for it,its only money and you cant take it with you. |
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Sue J
Gold Member
Wales
914 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2007 : 2:48:51 PM
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You don't mention the type of trailer, but I would say to you, don't give up, get some help from an expert. It may be nothing to do with the trailer and probably wouldn't make any difference if you had a lorry. I know from past experience. My arab gelding made life (his and mine) a misery for years by being difficult to load. He would do anything not to go up the ramp of the lorry we had at the time. I changed the lorry and bought an Ifor Williams trailer, this didn't work either. I eventually got the help of a girl who specialises in natural horsemanship or whatever we're calling it this week, although I was sceptical and it was quite traumatic the way she wore him down until eventually he went in. We have never looked back, loading is no longer traumatic he just walks in without any fuss at all, in fact all my horses walk into the trailer in front of me, usually being on my own when loading, this is essential and sounds like you are in the same boat. Give it a try, it could save hours of upset and frustration on both parts.
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Welshpool
Welsh/Shrops border
   
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JulieBeattie1
Silver Member
Scotland
288 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2007 : 3:07:50 PM
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Hi Cassie what kind of trailer is it?
My friend had an Ifor Williams and one of her ponies would not load in to but for some strange reason would load in a bateson.
Also when I had a older Ifor Williams (the first style that was around) one of my ponies would not load so I had to buy a bigger Ifor Williams but I have now moved on to a Bateson and never had a problem with my fussy loader.
I know it is frustrating when you cant load them and people are always full of idea's but your the one putting in the hard work trying to get the horse in.
Just try and be patient. I fed one of my youngsters beside the trailer for a while - putting her bucket on the ramp then she just started loading after a while.
Dont give up and good luck! Gee they dont half like trying us out and spending our harned earned cash! Ha ha.
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Nuttybabez
Gold Member
England
522 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2007 : 9:37:34 PM
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A few years ago, I bought a mare from an auction and it took us half an hour to load her to fetch her home. Once home, she was worse to load when I tried to put her in the trailer (I didn't want to take her anywhere, just wanted to see if she would go in). So for the first week or two, I fed her in the trailer til she was walking straight in. Now, if I try to load her occasionally, it can take some time but she will eventually go in. She would be better if she was loaded regularly but I don't need to take her anywhere very often.
What I did in the first week was I took the partition out and opened the front ramp and jockey door to make a bigger, more open space. Then I put her bucket halfway up the ramp so she could reach it without actually going in the trailer and slowly moved the bucket into the trailer over the space of a week but always started with the bucket halfway up the ramp. I didn't put any boots on her or anything (I think some horses dislike walking in them more than the loading). I find with my mare that if you lose your temper or try to force her to go in by trotting her up to the ramp or get a whip behind her etc, she would stand her ground and rear or run off. Just act like you have all the time in the world and hopefully your horse will see that its not frightening and you are not going to get cross. Hope that helps. |
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Cassie
Gold Member
England
781 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2007 : 09:04:35 AM
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Hi everbody
Thanks for all your suggestions, I had a friend come over yesterday and we finally got her in it took 1.1/2 hours then we drove around the village and we got back to the field she was very sweaty.
My trailer is a old one and it is rear unload and although she got on two or three times when I got it to try it out I thought great she will be OK but my friend suggested that it is coming off backwards that was putting her off until she gets use to it. She has travelled in lorries with no problem once she was use to them.
Going to try again today with the help of OH and then drive around the village. I am expecting more resistence but may be not quite so long.
Christine |
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suneanarab
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1818 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2007 : 2:02:39 PM
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i always load and unload at the rear of the trailer no matter if it does have a front unload. horses generally don't find unloading a problem.
if you are having trouble getting her to load your best bet is to have a parelli style natural horsemanship trainer to do the job for you. while most horses will load from the monty style way of doing it it's very confrontational and the horse doesn't like it.
it's better than using feed or such to bribe her in there and invariably it stops working. |
suzanne walsh
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2007 : 10:12:57 PM
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I have a horse who will load in a lorry but not a trailer. Full stop. He is just too anxious to be in a flimsy thing like a trailer.
I always think everyone should travel themselves in the back of the vehicle they intend to take their horse in. I also think if their boyfriend/husband etc who may be doing the towing should do the same, as one of the big problems with horses is that they will trust you, load, and travel, and during those first few formative trips, we terrify them because we don't realise how unstable it is in the back; the horse is unable to see, cannot anticipate the braking, the junctions, the roundabouts or the bumpy surfaces.
You MUST give the easiest and most comfortable ride possible so's not to leave a lasting anxiety, distrust or nervousness in the psychology of the horse. And how often do people get angry and try to 'teach them a lesson' or attempt to put a stop to defiance with a whip, broom, hose etc etc.
My own horse now tolerates loading and travelling because we've done our very best to show him he can trust us not to put him in a situation he can't cope with. But he does need a lorry; plus it's much nicer to have space when you're at a show!
I have a friend who's been Monty Roberts trained and I was just overwhelmed when she got not just one, but two totally impossible loaders, walking happily after her into the trailer of their own accord within 20 minutes (including join up and some simple halter training). One even walked up into the trailer alone when she'd let him go, and he was one who would rear at the very notion of being led towards a trailer ramp. We were staggered. But her techniques, totally friendly and cooperative, worked again and again. I have used her techniques frequently with great results. But I do think you have to be really aware so you don't instill fear without realising it. You have to get into the horse's mind, not insist the horse adopts your own mindset.
Good luck. |
Roseanne |
Edited by - Roseanne on 23 Apr 2007 10:15:24 PM |
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LIV
Gold Member
England
705 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 06:59:58 AM
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I always used to reverse my mare out of our front unload Ifor Williams as she used to jump out of the trailer and totally ignore the ramp. She was petrified of it for some reason so I decided it was far safer to go out backwards than risk her injuring herself using the front.
When I used to load her she would get her knickers in a real twist and present herself sideways at the ramp every time. If you asked her to move round so she was looking straight at the ramp she would go all hollow and totally refuse to move. After months of her getting worse and worse and taking the fun out of competing her, I sat down and thought about why she was doing this. Once she finally did load she travelled beautifully and you wouldn't even know she was in there so I knew the travelling wasn't an issue for her.
I knew that lots of people standing behind trying to threaten her into loading had the reverse effect as she would just get really stroppy. Lunge lines didn't work as she would throw herself onto them. She actually doesn't react well to pressure and if anyone tries to force her into it then you might aswell give up.
I tried putting a pallet at the side of the ramp that she always swings her quarters round to so there was a physical block. Other people use straw bales, etc. but the pallet is easier to move around. I wish I had tried it earlier as she couldn't work out what to do as she was unable to do her usual twist round and stand sideways on to the ramp. She just walked on within a minute of me trying to load her. I wasn't sure if it was just a fluke so I travelled her with her trusty pallet to the endurance ride I was doing, and sure enough, when it came to loading time she just went on.
It is really very similar to the Kelly Marks approach where you will see a tunnel like approach to the trailer so the horse cannot mess about to the side. The only thing they can do is reverse but they very rarely tend to do this. If they can't see an option to do anything else then they tend to just go forward.
I also used to travel with a pallet for our Thoroughbred mare too as she just gets a little anxious about loading. She now loads without any question and I have stopped using it now. I now don't stress so much about travelling and my horse no longer gets wound up about it either. I probably look like a lunatic when I turn up at a venue and the first thing to come out of the lorry/trailer is a pallet but I really don't care as it means the horses load with absolutely no stress. |
     
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 10:11:40 AM
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The major point about the halter groundwork I mentioned above is that you teach the horse to reverse. How many people realise that they can steer their horse down the ramp by encouraging its head to one side or the other?
Once the horse is confident in being 'reversed' it will be much less scared about going down a ramp backwards, and thus less scared about walking in. It's intelligence in the horse. It feels itself going backwards, into an area it cannot see, and also downwards. Its legs are disappearing underneath it and its balance is not correct. Most things that happen will only frighten it (rushing backwards, stepping off the edge of the ramp etc) and act to make that fear and resistance worse. The whole experience becomes scary.
The trick is to instill confidence and trust, in itself and you. Use a second person to help guide the horse in and out of the trailer; try not to get het up yourself and a much calmer operation should follow.
You have to accept that ironing out fear and anxiety in a horse takes far, far longer than teaching it correctly in the first place. You have to try to use a horse's psychology - accept how it thinks as a horse not a human - and use that to help it become happier in what you want it to do. |
Roseanne |
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suneanarab
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1818 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 1:55:49 PM
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putting up obsticals around the trailer is just dangerous and really not needed. they may work for some but at the end of the day what difference does it make whether the horse comes on the ramp form the side of the box or head on? it's about making sure the horse is comfortable. i've never had to use any kind of blocks and so again i stress the point that anything can be attchieved without the use of anything but a plain halter.
i've seen horses crash in to pallets and scaffolding and nearly break their legs. i've also seen horses try to jump over bales and land in a heap on the floor with their legs under the ramp. the easiest way is always the best and that involves nothing but you the horse and a halter if needed. |
suzanne walsh
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Eunette
Gold Member
United Kingdom
629 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 5:28:42 PM
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I have read all of these comments with great enthusiasm hoping someone will give me a diffeent answer in loading problems..but I hate to say it..I am still at a loss with my horse, I helped foal my boy, so know ALL of his history. We have only had our own transport for the last few years and it has been a nightmare! I have travelled him without a partition - but it wasn't a nice journey for my mum driving as we were petrified he was stumbling about so much. Last year we seemed to combat the problem - using lunge lines and a bridle - Easiest although being my drean way to load my horse was not best...we went out on various outings for lessons, dressage tests where he woouldn't even need the lunge lines picked up. However pur trailer was stolen and after 6 mopths of no practice he is now awful again! he loaded 2 weeks ago and it took us 2 hours, then last week he loaded whith only me - 45 minutes - I had no help so it was just a case of me walking him round constantly as soon as he stopped on the ramp for more than 30 seconds I would back him up and try again etc...then on friday I had the day off work and decided I was tired of the battle we kept having it was time to go back to square one with the easiest way a halter and leadrope....6 hours later I had been trampled over launched off the ramp headbutted and had shredded hands. I have an instructor on my yard that has done several NH courses and worked for a time with bad loaders...she asked if she could have a go (I prayed she could help)..after two hours she said she just couldn't understand...he doesn't sweat doens't get out of breath..is not bothered by the trailer at all..he just decides he doesn't want to go on and thats it. I truly believe he is trying to dominate me in this way and because after six hours of nicely nicely I had no energy left I had to give up...I am emotionally and pysically drained..I have a competition coming up that I now don't think I will get to.
At the moment he will go in so his shoulder is at the centre pole and then won't move an inch more...at one point after getting to that point on several goes I just let him stand there thinking he would soon get bored and walk the extra step it would take...after an hour on saturday and he still hadn't moved an inch I gave up.
I am all one for the NH way of handling but what would you do after 6 hours, I have read so many articles/books over the weekend trying to find something we might have missed but to no avail.
anybody with a cure please let me know....I am finidng it so so hard to deal with at the moment as I can't understand why or what has changed that he refuses to go on. He travels well...never sweats up and as soon as we get him on the trailer he stands quiet and eats his hay, he unloads well.
Please tell me how to get this horse to load using just a halter and rope..please |
toreychalk@hotmail.com |
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LIV
Gold Member
England
705 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 7:17:31 PM
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Suneanarab
I am so glad you and your horse have the 'perfect relationship' where with just the use of a halter your horse will load into a trailer! I am obviously a total duffer when it comes to loading my mare then.
The pallet I use has slats close together so they cannot get their feet caught in it, and it does make a huge difference to my mare if she can't present herself sideways to the ramp. She uses that as her evasion and so if I break the cycle of her being able to do it, she will just load very calmly without anyone getting stressed.
Good luck to you with your halter, and I shall continue to load my mare my way. I have tried Parelli with her and it was of no use to me when it came to loading. I was merely sharing my method of loading.
Eunette, sounds exactly like my mare. She never knows when to give up and can make you want to totally give up horses at times. She is not frightened of travelling as once on she travels like a dream, but the lead up to it (putting boots and tail guard on) gets her shaking before she even sees the trailer. I hope you find a solution. |
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 9:42:30 PM
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Hey Torey, I've just looked at your profile and can't see where you're from. Shame as if you were anywhere near I could bring my magic woman to you!
My phobic gelding was frightened (I can only surmise) on his transport back from the Gucci auction; who will ever know? However I once had to try for five hours to get him into a trailer and there are some classic 'rules' I believe. It always looks so easy for people whose horses just wander into their trailers/lorries and you feel so cheated when your own horse has such an indistinguishable problem. I really know how you feel.
I have succeeded with my gelding, to an extent, in that he will tolerate being loaded and travelled, but he'll never be happy with it.
I'm afraid I have to work now (evening meetings for the paper) but will try to get some thoughts together tomorrow about what will help, and what to avoid in order to prevent things getting worse.
Where are you? |
Roseanne |
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gossy
Platinum Member
England
3639 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 9:48:07 PM
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| it took us 5 hours to load 3 very unruly fillies that had been on a lorry before, let alone a trailer, the one that just walked on was the youngest of the others a yearling, she is very brave and extremely laid back but its still a big deal |
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Deboniks
Platinum Member
England
3776 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 10:18:53 PM
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Hi Eunette,
I've had some recent success with loading our 9 month old colt,today in fact Unfortunately he has had to have a few visits to the vets so he's had to travel in our trailer. It was terrible we practically had to pick him up and put him in as I hadn't had time to practice. I am a firm believer that a horse MUST not just load but MUST load with confidence. He should be totally relaxed in the trailer. He travels very well and that is a bonus. I use a rope halter and a 12' lead rope. It helps, as the horse gets to FEEL of you. Yesterday we went through backing up and walking towards the ramp. I had the front ramp down but with the bar across so as not to make him feel too claustrophobic. I stood at the side of the ramp with my feet still and positioned him in the middle at the foot of the ramp. If he moved to the side I moved him back to his place by swirling the end of the rope at his side to move him across. Once he had this right I put some feel on the rope to guide him in and twirled the end of the rope at the space behind him. At first all he would do was lift his leg (that is a HUGE try on his part) when he did this I stopped any motion with the rope. We repeated this until he understood that to stop me twirling the end of rope at the space behind him he had to lift his leg. The next stage was to repeat this but this time if he lifted his leg I didn't stop BUT if his foot connected with the trailer I did. Then I repeated that but when his foot connected with the trailer I didn't stop but if he put his foot ON the trailer if did,Then (sorry this is long) I wouldn't stop until two feet were on the trailer ,the next time he was on.
When he was on I didn't shut the door or put the bar behind ,I just rubbed him and let him relax. I even let him eat his tea in there. Then I backed him back down the ramp.Next time I just had to twirl the rope and he went on. I put him on and off about 10/15 times, in the end I just pointed to the trailer and he went straight on. Before I backed him off I said 'All right' so he knew something was about to happen. I don't want him to start backing off until I'm ready.He was so cool about it all and that was it until tomorrow!! Tomorrow I will put him on and put the ramp up count to 10 and bring it down and back him out,then if he's cool with that and by cool I mean totally confident I will take him for a drive and repeat it all a few times. Then after all that I should have a little colt who is a piece of cake to load in the future...touch wood.
So that was my experience, I hope it helps, OH!...also I would NEVER shout and NEVER force. Always remember to breath, this may sound daft but sometimes we hold our breath when we concentrate which creates a brace in your body and as horse language is body language they sense this. |
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Edited by - Deboniks on 24 Apr 2007 10:30:46 PM |
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janice
Silver Member
United Kingdom
373 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 11:05:29 PM
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Cassie, It's not about the trailer, see if you can find someone who does Natural Horsemanship near you, ask them for some sessions with your horse. Main thing don't get angry. You could put your location on your profile and someone near may come and help you.
On Sunday I helped a 12 year old to walk in and out of my trailer with her pony following her twenty times, the smile on the child's face meant the world to me. The day before she was crying cos she missed a beach party with her little friends cos the pony wouldn't go in. It took an hour to get it that good but Linda Parelli would probably tell you it never takes more than 12 hours, in other words so what how long it takes as long as you get there in the kindest possible way, horse still has it's dignity and it still respects you. Good luck Cassie x |
you can't kid a kidder!!
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Eunette
Gold Member
United Kingdom
629 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2007 : 1:11:39 PM
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Thanks for the replies! I am honestly so emotionally drained from it I had to have a day off from the horses on sunday to recover! I am in Earlswood - near birmingham, redditch etc
I think my confusion is he is just SO calm i try to be calm...but imagine him standing there for 30secs to review the situation then he rests his back leg..so I encourage him forwards a bit..from in front and then from his shoulder..not one slight move untill he turns his head so it rests on his side...and drags me off the trailer, or we get to that same point and he throws his head up I stress because the last thing I want is for him to catch himself so he is afraid so I back him off and start again, when I try to stop him from dragging me by moving his head central he can literally throw his head up and back up..launching me off the trailer..and I mean literally I fly for a step or two..all the time he is calm..no heavy breathing...no sweating..he then just stands at the bottom of the ramp to wait for me to repeat it...the only thing he does do is swish his tail...as he does when he is irriated by a fly or something!..I have all doors open and all partitions back on themselves and tied so they can't flap..I am at a loss! I would love for him to just walk through! once this is done I know it will click with him..but until that happens..I don't know what to try! Any suggestions will be taken on board...any!
Thanks
Torey |
toreychalk@hotmail.com |
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Deboniks
Platinum Member
England
3776 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2007 : 2:29:27 PM
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Hi Torey, He might appear calm but he is really disrespecting you! He knows you don't mean it. You say he drags you off the trailer,are you standing in front of him? If you are you are blocking his forward movement. I find it hard to explain things well. You could try squeazing him through small spaces ie between you and a wall or other objects and see if he is good with that,or does he push into you? I was trying to explain in my other post about a conversation I was having with our colt on the ramp. I asked him to move his legs and if he did I let him rest and think about what just happened. Horses are amazingly clever and sensitive and most of all they seek comfort.I made being outside the trailer not so comfortable giving him jobs to do and when he got it right and when he loaded it was very comfortable.
You need help and I would recommend either Charlotte Dennis or Dave Stuart I'm sure they are near you.Good luck |
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suneanarab
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1818 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2007 : 12:04:47 PM
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liv, it's not about the 'perfect relationship'. i'm not saying it doesn't help and i'm sure that you have a great relationship with your horse. i just do this as my job and think that it's not a good idea to put up obsticals to block horses. some need to come on from the side and should be allowed to do so. some go there as a way of not doing what is asked. however, if the ground work is done so that you can move the horse from the side of the trailer without moving from the ramp the problem is solved without the pallets and bales.
all horses are different and should be given the chance to work it out for themselves. i worked with a mare who was petrified of the box and needed that space to give herself time to think. she had alreday had people blocking this for her, using lunge lines, blind folds and god knows what else. i got her moving on the floor first so that she could go to the side of the box and rest, then i could ask her back. the mare very soon found that she had time to work it all out and stopped doing it coz i let her. she took her time at the front of the box instead.
now if the horse is just using it as a way to get out of going in the box you have to ask yourself why? not just assume that the block is working. what will happen when they are away from home and you haven't got your block? or do you carry it everywhere with you?
i'm not having a go at you i'm just saying that they can be dangerous and they are un-needed if you do the ground work first and give the horse time. if it's the only way you know that is fine. but maybe you could learn something to help you do it differently rather than giving what you do as advise that could end up with an injured horse?
suzanne |
suzanne walsh
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Cassie
Gold Member
England
781 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2007 : 5:02:56 PM
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Hi everybody
Just an update I have managed to get the mare on the trailer with my OH help drove around the village no problem.
The next time I tried it was on my own and she wasn't having any of it, I have tried putting things down the sides to stop her going that way her answer is to go backwards or plants her feet and go to sleep. If I try and put any pressure on her she will either go backwards rear and once she has passed the end of the obstacles at the side she will either go sideways ot turn sideways. Eventually on this day I got four feet on the ramp but she wouldn't go any further.
I do not think she is afraid of the trailer because I have left her with the trailer open and put her food in there and she's been in there for that.
I do Paralli myself and you can send her through narrow spaces and she does it quite willing.
What I do think is she doesn't like coming of the trailer backwards I only bought a trailer because people talking me into it I wanted a lorry which she has gone in with no problems.
I live in Norfolk I do not know any other Paralli people near me.
I am now thinking of selling the trailer and buying a small lorry.
Christine
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2007 : 5:19:44 PM
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Hi Christine,
I can't remember where you said you were in Norfolk but there is a group called the "Norfolk Horse Training and Equitation Club". They hold events and clinics at Aylmerton.
If you google the name you should find it easy enough.
Does she back up ok normally? Have you tried her with poles on the ground and backing up? Is she confident where she puts her feet?
Lisa |
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Cassie
Gold Member
England
781 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2007 : 6:53:53 PM
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Hi Lisa
Yes she does back up alright normally and no I haven't try backing up over poles I got her on the ramp tonight and then back her of it and left it at that didn't want any problems tonight no time.
Also do you still want to go to Holkham? as I would still like to go but what with this loading problem don't know whether I will be able to make it.
Christine |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2007 : 8:34:23 PM
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I would still love to go but no pressure. I don't want you to feel like you would be letting me down if you are having problems with her. I completely understand.
I went up there the other week in the car and it was the first time I had been to that area. I didn't realise how far it was 
See how things go...Just a thought - Do you have good riding where you live? I could always come your way if it is not too far?
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2007 : 9:32:22 PM
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There are two people on here who have problems loading, and I know many others who have difficulty; some who never do anything away from home because their horse won't load.
My experience of resolving this (Monty Roberts/Richard Maxwell influenced) seems to have worked for the horses in my care.
I'd suggest:
1. taking out partitions while you're getting over the problem of going up the ramp and inside the trailer
2. opening the side ramp if there is one, so there is light, and a 'way out' (but never let the horse just leap out!). Horses, especially Arabs, are animals that by nature do not take kindly to being incarcerated in small spaces. It eases their anxiety if they can see they’re not being imprisoned in a small dark tube!
3. Once you’ve started trying to load, never leave the ramp yourself; don't be tempted to leave to walk it around or whatever. Put short leg protectors on so the fetlocks/coronets aren't going to get grazed and let the horse come back to you on the ramp or in the trailer
4. Use a lunge line, not a lead rope. If your horse decides to retreat 10 feet beyond the trailer ramp you must be able to keep control. Any horse can pull you off your feet in a single step if you only have a four feet long rope. With a lunge line, you can bring it back to you without leaving your position of ‘request’ at the top of the ramp.
5. ALWAYS wear gloves. (Be sensible!! No shredded skin please!!)
6. Always reward progress - even if it's just a single step forward when you asked for it - with some feed from a bucket or a stroke on the face. Naturally if the horse follows you into the trailer it deserves its feed bucket.
7 If (and only if) you know how to use one, use a pressure halter. This is a contentious issue as some people haul away on these without realising how to and cause damage. If in doubt, get instruction from an expert or get someone else to do it for you
8. Don't give up. It is no good trying to load your horse for an hour and a half and then decide YOU've had enough. This is hard if you appear to be getting nowhere but the horse will realise that if it resists long enough, it can avoid what it fears. If it's that bad, you should really invest in paying someone who really knows how to get results. There are people who appear to work miracles and I know at least one who I’ve learned a huge amount from. These are people who understand the horse’s fears and behaviour and work so the horse trusts them and is happy to comply.
9. Even if you do find someone to help in this way, you will need to learn how to maintain the progress.
It's the beginning of the show season - we all want to take our horses away from home! I hope you both manage to too!!
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