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Original poster

Help with loading issues

29 replies

FlyingFeathers · 05/05/2021 16:49

Please can I have some advice regarding loading, I’m at the end of my tether.

My horse has had loading issues his whole life (9). He was a rescue. I think he’s claustrophobic, he also jumps out of stables and panics at being confined in them. So he lives out 24/7.

He’s always taken about 30/45 minutes to load, it was very fraught and he’d panic when everything was done up (he’s jumped the breast bar before). And when unloading he would charge out in a panic.

For the last year I have worked tirelessly on it (made the most of lockdown!). I got him to the point where he would walk on after 2/3 minutes, stand quietly whilst it was done up and then unload calmly.

However it has all gone backwards and I’ve taken him out 3 times in the last few weeks (on fun hacks) and we’re back to planting and not getting on for 45 minutes.

I can’t use any implements (lunge lines, whips) as it makes it worse. No one can touch him as he just pushes back against them and runs off (he’s generally quite bolshy).

I’ve tried him in side loading 3.5 lorries and vans, a 510/511, 505/506 and he’s the same with everything. I have a single trailer as I read somewhere about them preferably the wide space to travel.

I use a rope halter and pressure/release and I don’t get angry or shout at him. I stay calm (no idea how!)

He travels without a peep, and after the work I did last year when he’s actually on he’s fine and I can wait at least 5 minutes either end before setting off or unloading. So he has improved, but the actual loading is getting worse.

What else can I try? Any ideas before I go completely insane?! Thank you

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Fivemoreminutes1 · 05/05/2021 17:01

what we have been doing latey which is working is walking him through the trailer every time he comes in from field. I give him his feed in there and then he goes in his stable for the night. I then took the feed away and he still walked in eventually. I then loaded him, took him for a drive and put him in field. I have just had to build it up from there and he is getting better but it takes time.

SummertimeEasyBreezy · 05/05/2021 17:07

Is he food orientated, in which case a Haynet for when he is in will help and you could try feeding in there everyday and once loaded or even pushing a bowl of feed so it is just out of reach and he gets it once he is in.
Does he have a field companion and if so have you tried loading them first and having them there as company whilst he travels?
Final thing to try is putting shavings in as some prefer it or if you are doing this try taking them out to see what they prefer.
If it’s any help it sounds like you are doing everything right and you have obviously made progress so do congratulate yourself for that.
If you try everything you can thing of and still feel you need help, you could try a natural horsemanship practitioner. It sounds like that is the approach that would suit you.

Original poster
FlyingFeathers · 05/05/2021 17:07

That’s pretty much how I started last year and built it up slowly when he was ready to move on. Maybe I need to go back to basics for a while. It’s just so frustrating.

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Original poster
FlyingFeathers · 05/05/2021 17:12

He is very good oriented (a bolshy cob who was once starved emaciated makes for a very hangry horse!) However it doesn’t work with this, he won’t come on even for a feed or treats.

Shavings is a good idea, I’ll try that. And also something to cover up the gap between the ramp and trailer maybe? He will put his front feet on and stretch as far as he possibly can before going in. Once his back feet are on he walks straight on pretty much, it’s just getting them on in the first place!

Thank you. I was thinking professional help was next step. I prefer natural horsemanship over anything else just because of the way he is. He’s very stubborn in general and likes his opinion to be heard!

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Original poster
FlyingFeathers · 05/05/2021 17:12

*food

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stupidstupider · 06/05/2021 13:58

Try an equitrek rear facing trailer. They're big and bright inside, wide ramp, and while travelling have windows in front of the horse (rear of trailer) and to each side so a bit more open. Get rid of as much 'rattle' as you can. Rubber gaskets on closers, replace chains with wire, gaffa tape around pins. Go for a ride in the trailer and find the worst rattles and fix them. Everything we've had has loaded better in an equitrek than a regular trailer. And drive slowly, dead slow around corners - be that driver that pisses everyone off.

Original poster
FlyingFeathers · 06/05/2021 18:04

Thank you, unfortunately I’ve only got a 2t tow limit and I think an equitrek will go over that. I’ll bear it in mind though (good excuse for a new car Wink). That did cross my mind about going for a drive in it. I booked it on for a service yesterday as well.

I pulled it out today and went back to basics opening it all up and got him to walk through without stopping, which he did without even hesitating. Then I put the breast bar up, walked him in straight away and got him to stand until I told him to walk off calmly. Did that a few times and then closed it all up and he walked straight on. I think for now I’ll need to do that before each time he goes on and get him used to it again. Horses hey Hmm

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Original poster
FlyingFeathers · 06/05/2021 18:04

And I’m already one of “those” drivers, I drive ridiculously slow Grin I’m really cautious with stopping and starting too.

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Polkadotties · 06/05/2021 19:31

Have you tried a chifney?

Moanranger · 06/05/2021 20:49

You sound like you are doing everything correctly & he has got better, but that sometimes he will have off days. Your system of lots of dry runs, walk-in thru trailer, etc should help. Just keep at it.

florencemartingale · 06/05/2021 21:05

Whereabouts are you based OP?

My mare was the most difficult horse I’ve ever known to load. I mean - 3 professionals couldn’t crack her type of difficult.

Jason Webb worked wonders if you’re in the SE.

Though as a PP said above, eventually we bought an equitrek and she would walk herself on it.... it really does make the world of difference.

BertramLacey · 06/05/2021 23:58

Have you tried a chifney?

Please don't do this. There's a reason he's not going on and it would be better to think about why and sort that out for him. If he has a good experience travelling, he should load fine. Just making it painful for him not to load isn't getting to the bottom of the problem.

Polkadotties · 07/05/2021 16:45

@BertramLacey

Have you tried a chifney?

Please don't do this. There's a reason he's not going on and it would be better to think about why and sort that out for him. If he has a good experience travelling, he should load fine. Just making it painful for him not to load isn't getting to the bottom of the problem.

I’m sorry but using a chifney won’t automatically make it uncomfortable or painful.
Original poster
FlyingFeathers · 07/05/2021 21:40

Thank you. You’re right about the off days. I’ll just keep at it.

I am in the SE, I’ll look him up, thank you.

I appreciate chifneys can be good if used correctly, but I won’t be using one on him. He tends to run from things if he’s in any kind of discomfort so it will make things worse and will be one more thing for him to fight against.

We’re going to a local show tomorrow, I’m allowing plenty of time to load and not putting any pressure on him to leave quickly after. I’m going to try giving him a small feed before going home, as he’s very effected by his stomach. He’s never been scoped but is on acid ease which has transformed his behaviour in other areas. I’ll give him a shot of quick fix as well to see if that helps as he may just be in discomfort.

Thank you for your ideas and support.

I’ve been looking at the equitrek trailers, they look fab! Do they feel cumbersome to tow?

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Polkadotties · 07/05/2021 22:27

They are nicknamed equi-wrek. Have search on the horse and hound forum.

Cecillie · 07/05/2021 22:36

My son had a lovely well mannered cob who was a complete wombat about loading and I tried everything.
In desperation I got a kelly marks associate person out, dido fisher if in the SE.
She came and we wandered about the school, made a little corral in a stable with poles etc and all the time I was thinking this is so stupid, he had good manners he can do all this anyway , you wait till we try and load him and you'll see!
He went straight up the ramp , stood there cool as a cucumber and we never had an issue again
I was dumbfounded
So give it a go ! Wasn't hugely expensive, cheaper than Jason Webb

countrygirl99 · 08/05/2021 12:26

Do you do a lot of basic groundwork? Mine was a knob but I had a trainer out who gave me ground exercises - just backing up and turning etc. Worked a dream until he got arthritis and started finding longer journeys uncomfortable.

BertramLacey · 08/05/2021 14:51

I’m sorry but using a chifney won’t automatically make it uncomfortable or painful.

If he were the sort of horse who responded well to one it might make loading easier. However, it would not fix whatever the issue is. There are reasons why this horse does not want to load. If owners fail to listen in these situations, they can end up with a horse that just shuts down. It also does not engender trust.

Esse321 · 08/05/2021 19:40

One of the Kelly Marks associates said to me that she has never known the coral thingy to fail.

Esse321 · 08/05/2021 19:41

'corral' even

SummertimeEasyBreezy · 08/05/2021 20:48

Could someone explain how to do the coral thing?sounds interesting

Esse321 · 08/05/2021 22:00

the last five minutes of this video shows it

SummertimeEasyBreezy · 09/05/2021 14:18

Thank you @Esse321, I have been to see Monty Roberts but that last 5 minutes is a great recap. Only thing is, we don’t all have the metal barriers. I had a pony who would get himself next to the ramp to evade going up and these barriers would’ve been helpful.

Original poster
FlyingFeathers · 10/05/2021 20:45

Thanks all. Yes I do a lot of basic groundwork, he’s bolshy and needs to be reminded of his manners.

I don’t want to use force to get him on, so a chifney wouldn’t solve the issue. He fights more against stuff like that anyway.

Interestingly he has arthritis too. I wonder if that could be a factor?

I can’t remember if I wrote this above, but he’s claustrophobic. He won’t go in a stable either. He will walk straight on the trailer if the front ramp is open, but as soon as it’s closed up he plants.

I’ll look into getting someone out I think. Thank you all your suggestions.

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Original poster
FlyingFeathers · 07/06/2021 16:11

Rather than starting a new post, I thought I’d post on my original post.

Our issues are escalating Sad He reared over my head today and then reared and broke free another 4 times. Today is the first day in years I lost my shit with him. I’m normally a really calm and chilled person but I just lost it today. Obviously wasn’t the right thing to do but after 2 hours of trying on and off we weren’t getting anywhere.

He walks straight in and round with the ramp down, I did this about 4 times and then put the breast bar up and still walked in fine. The ramp being up and it all closed is the issue.

Today is the first day I haven’t succeeded in getting him in. We were practicing as he’s got the vets tomorrow to have his hocks medicated.

I’m at the end of my tether. I’m going to email around for some professional help, this is beyond me now Sad

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