Loading Your Horse Into A Horsebox

Written by Trevelyan for "All Horse" magazine

Now here's a subject that generates a few frustrating sighs and memorable events discussed with friends over a few glasses of wine. In my experience, we all have good or bad days when loading horses, apart from Pat Parelli that is, who from demonstrations I've witnessed simply points in the direction of the trailer and "whaa-laa" his horse has loaded and is ready and waiting to go somewhere special.

To help others like me I've been asked to provide some advice on loading horses. To explain, may I highlight that although passionate about horses my thoughts are mine only and if you wish to source advice from others far more qualified than I, please do so, I`ve found the Parelli website: www.parelli.com

To begin my story, just recently a client of Trevelyan contacted us in desperation to explain the problems she'd had with loading her horse which resulted in spending 8 hours going nowhere. She rang to hire a horsebox to hopefully encourage her 15.2 grey mare to move home. After a truly funny conversation we agreed to deliver the box and try to encourage her mare to move house, as the walk would take two weeks.

On the day of delivery, we met our client and her mare; I introduced myself and asked if I could spend sometime just grazing her inhand. Before anything say hello to horses first and take the time to establish who tells who to move and when. With my Parelli headcollar and long lead rein, we did some simple movements to establish who the leader in our relationship is. This was achieved by asking the mare to move backwards, sideways, forwards and over a pole or two in the ménage. Each time we achieved the right result, I let her rest and gave her praise. If she tried to resist the direction I wanted her to travel I gently flicked the rope around her fetlocks, as soon as she moved, we rested and gave her praise, again. After approximately 20 minutes we moved to the horsebox.

We always open all doors, windows and allow as much light into the box as possible. My initial request is to ask her to step close to the ramp, nothing more or less. If she moves forward, we rest and praise, if she moves backwards we flick the rope gently around her fetlocks, try not to touch unless you need too, only if she travels backwards and as soon as she moves forward stop with the rope, instantly.

To start she achieved that stance on the ramp that makes you aware that this mare isn't going anywhere, for anyone, never! This is success in the horse world, would any horse get in a steel coffin and move at great speed without moving their feet, no.. so reward the tiniest of moves towards the coffin.

As soon as we achieved this level of success, we stopped and went back down the ramp. I asked her to move in a circle by the side of the box, for 2 minutes. Then we aimed for the ramp again, walked with confidence by her side and as soon as she stopped, we rested. The objective is to reward success from the horse's point of view, every time. Eventually, she had got into a routine of standing, with all four feet on the ramp. Each time we rested and walked out of the box, after a few minutes reward.

Eventually, with an array of equine specialists gathering, she walked in stopped, looked around and flew out backwards. We did some more circles [my philosophy.. to make her work if things don't quite go to plan]. We tried again and again she walked in and came out but this time with far more confidence. At this stage, I rewarded her with food, small pieces of carrot, nothing much but enough to say thank you.

And finally, after testing my ability to remain patient and not turn into the horse whisperer from hell, she walked in, stood quietly and searched for her reward. we had made friends and she felt confident in me.

We secured the partitions, slowly, tied a haynet securely and closed the ramp. At this point, to the delight of our client and I must admit me, we set sail on the road to her new home. We followed our client for many miles and as soon as she signalled we went our separate ways.

Later, I thought I`d ring to see if she unloaded well and asked how she travelled. She explained that when she gestured to us on the motorway, she'd thought her mare had died as she didn't move the entire journey, not a sound, so she wasn't sure whether to stop and look or just keep driving.however horse and owner had achieved success and all arrived safely, at their new home.

For me, I had a phone call from Sue from ALL HORSE Magazine, asking me to write an article on loading horses and this is my little story. It works for me, isn't cruel and just requires some of your time.

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