I want to thank all of you for keeping on the right track. I was getting so frustrated that my horse wouldn't load when I wanted him to. I was resorting to treats even though I knew I shouldn't. I wanted hubby to build a platform to practice stepping up on, but that didn't happen. Now that the weather is finally nice, I decided it was time to get off my butt and work with the dang horse. I took your advice to make him work when he wasn't responding to my requests. He still stopped right the door, so I backed him up all over the yard and turned him in circles. After a while and lot of consistent persistence, he finally put two feet in calmly!!!I kept at it while I was waiting for my friend to come over to ride. After the ride, I went right back at it. The first try he went in very smoothly!! The next time he stopped again and again he went backwards a ways. He went right in the following time! I've been moving the divider in our two horse slant and he goes well in both stalls.I'm so glad that I kept at it and did it the "Right" way. The only treats he got was a good rubbing on the neck and kind words!
Posted 2005-03-31 1:09 PM (#23246 - in reply to #23104) Subject: RE: loading success!
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: Iowa
loading from outside is my ultimate goal. Right now I'm satisfied with easy loading with respect. Hopefully by the end of the riding season I can accomplish the outside part.
Posted 2005-03-31 7:32 PM (#23273 - in reply to #23246) Subject: RE: loading success!
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
Try to send him on by himself as soon as he is calm with the whole deal. You want him to know he is a big boy and can do it either way. You also don't want him to get so used to you leading him on that he thinks something is wrong if you aren't next to him.
Posted 2005-04-03 1:28 PM (#23356 - in reply to #23104) Subject: RE: loading success!
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: Iowa
Thanks for the insight. I did start sending him by himself a little. I'm still not totally satisfied with his loading with me yet. He will do 2 feet perfectly. I'm now working him to do all 4. I do like the way he backs out calmer now. Practice, practice, practice. I know it'll pay off, I just don't always have the patience I need.
loading success!
I kept at it while I was waiting for my friend to come over to ride. After the ride, I went right back at it. The first try he went in very smoothly!! The next time he stopped again and again he went backwards a ways. He went right in the following time! I've been moving the divider in our two horse slant and he goes well in both stalls.I'm so glad that I kept at it and did it the "Right" way. The only treats he got was a good rubbing on the neck and kind words!
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