All of us have either had a horse or
pony that refuses to load or we’ve witnessed somebody else with the same
problem. Your horse may take the “planted” position
and refuse to move a hoof! Or he maybe a bit more dramatic
and include a bit of rearing and thrashing about. There’s
also the kicker – often accompanied by a lot of tail
swishing and eye rolling!
Time is often against you on a show
day. All that last minute rushing about. Blaming each other
for not getting haynets ready or cleaning the tack, the
list goes on. So now you’re
running late and the horse won’t go into the trailer.
Tempers rise, adrenaline up, voices shouting the whole situation
can turn into a full-scale battle. Not a good way the start
the day.
If things go really bad, you may receive help from on-lookers.
These usually take the role of including brooms, whips, buckets of water
etc. Eventually he may go on the trailer, the ramp is thrown up, and
everyone jumps in and takes off for a day of fun! And this is where many
people think that the horse has “being shown who’s boss” (By
the use of a broom across his back-side?) and therefore you have won
the horse has lost and he has shown you respect!! I don’t think
so.
Lets look at the scene from the horses’ point of
view. A horse’s instinct
tell him to avoid dark, enclosed spaces. Especially those that are surrounded
by lots of people full of tension and anticipation. “What is in that
place?” he may ask himself. “All those people seem very upset by
that dark box – so maybe there is a dragon or wolf inside. Best I stay
here!” The horse may wish to smell the ramp to see who has been there
before, can he smell the scent of a wolf? (You never know!) At this point he
may receive a hearty slap across his hindquarters, instead of encouraging the
horse forward this could have the effect of sending the horse back down the
ramp.
So the horse has now received pain from going on the
ramp- “Maybe they don’t want me near it” the horse
thinks to himself and backs off the ramp obligingly. More hitting, pulling
etc will probably follow with a thoroughly confused horse as the result.
The person at the head of the horse is often holding him on a tight rein
and staring angrily at him – in a horses world this is very aggressive. “Eyes
on eyes” means go away, so, back down the ramp he tries to go.
But, what is this? A sharp sting of pain across his hind legs. His head
is held so tight that he has to twist his head and roll his eyes in an
attempt to see what monster is attacking him. But all he can see is his
owner’s friend brandishing a whip looking pretty angry!
OK, wonderful he’s finally gone into the box.” He has to show you
respect and do as you say!” You are told. Well I for one would not have
one dot of respect for anyone that whipped and beat me. I would just see them
for the big bully they are!!
I always want my horses or any that I work with to load
out of trust not respect. There maybe people in your life that you respect,
but how many do you really trust; with your life?
If you want a successful loading session you need to
set up a situation in which the horse feels relaxed, unthreatned and
happy to trust in you and what you are asking of him.
Here are a few tips that could help with your loading
problems:
- Make sure you give yourself plenty of time. (Not
the morning of a show). You always practice your dressage or jumping
before going to an event, so why not make time to practice loading
as well?
- Ensure the trailer/box is safe, all catches, hooks
etc are safely out of the way.
- Is the trailer light and airy? And the floor safe?
- Park the trailer by a sturdy fence. (Not a wire one).
And use straw bales on the other side as wings.
- Put some bedding from your horse’s stable in
the trailer and on the ramp. The scent of something is very important
to a horse, if it smells familiar he will be more relaxed.
GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY LOADING!
If you are still having problems contact
Kathrine Wilson Tel: 07773 703276
Holder of Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate in Horsemanship
