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I thought I would drop you a line to thank you both.
The visit has really turned it round for Minnie and I and we now have a
good solid direction. Last night she had two other horses in the school
cantering round with her whilst we went through our numbers game her
focus remained on me the whole time and she did not wander off to look
at the skyline when I walked away to get her saddle!! We are now on a
much firmer footing and I have been jumping up on her something I would
never have dreamt of doing last week without someone holding her. It has
given me back that enthusiasm and confidence and a chance to move on.
I learnt so much in such a short time thank you to you both.
Mick Loading:
I’ve had Mick 2 years in December 05, I bought him to Bloodhound in
winter, with The Readyfield Bloodhounds,(yes I’m going to name drop) but
to practice jumping through the summer I decided to join one local show.
I’ve had the trailer approx 1 year.
He has never been perfect at loading but once he’d had his say for about
5 mins he would be coaxed in using food. Everything seemed fine while we
were bloodhounding, he ran in the trailer – but then he would – he was
tired and hungry after running around for 3 hours.
The real problem was when I went to our first summer show. We had a
lovely day, came second in the novice jumping, fourth in the working
hunter and fourth in the in hand hunter. He’d had some grass, met some
friends had some sun on his back – what more could a horse want?
Obviously NOT to go home. We spent 2 hours trying to get him in the
trailer and would he go. Eventually I had to hack home the 10 miles as
the light was beginning to fade. So John, my husband drove behind us
with the trailer. I trotted him nearly all the way, I did think if I
didn’t walk for a bit he may die – but I was so angry. Poor thing you
may think – no he was full of it, spooking, ducking and diving – trotted
out lovely.
After that I thought – right – intense training begins. From here we
found how difficult this may actually be and with the confrontation we
were experiencing, it started getting dangerous. When challenged he
would take you up on it – and boy, you did not win (he does a fantastic
Lippizaner leap – legs tucked under his belly – perfect motion). My
friend Heather suggested once she lift his legs up as you see people
doing and put them on the ramp – my answer was that I’m not insured for
that much money. He was quick, determined and accurate. Once, he
eyeballed Vanessa, shot up the ramp, struck her with his front leg on
her arm and leg and landed back on the ramp where he started – all in
the time it took me to shout her name when I realised he was going for
her.
I did all the practicing and teaching until I was blue in the face.
Three times I have threatened to sell him, and be honest about why – the
last time I actually wrote an advertisement for the Horse and Hound.
But, everything else had come together in the last 3 months and I did
not want to sell this animal. So, asked about for advice as to what to
do:
Choice 1 – a local guy who will happily whip you horse several times a
day over a four day period until it goes in the trailer – apparently
when you get them home, they run in the trailer…
Choice 2 – Max – to be honest I was very sceptical about this as the
horse would more than often load on the yard and I didn’t think we would
reap the benefit of Max’s visit. How wrong I was.
September 15th 2005 Max arrived at the yard. Checked the horses back and
the flexibility of his neck. Then took him in the ménage. I told him
everything I thought relevant and what had happened to us in the past.
Max did some schooling with the pressure halter. John, my husband
watched them whilst I fetched the trailer. He said he did some circling
and then ‘whispered something in the horses ear’ then the horse did
everything Max asked after that… mmm.
The Trailer - On first two approaches, the horse reared several times
and then followed Max into the trailer. Max then proceeded to load and
reload the horse and eventually handed over to myself and John. This was
so easy, why could we not do this? After 50 loads we put the horse in
the stable, moved the trailer, got him out and started again. All the
time Max was talking to us about horses and explaining why he was doing
things and the reaction of the horse. After about 3 hours Max left us
with our homework. We sorted the horse out, put the trailer away and
went home.
The Homework – We had to load, in and out 20 times every day for 10
days. We were not allowed off the yard for 10 days. Then on day 10 we
had to go for a drive only and back to the yard. Every time we unloaded
after a journey we had to reload until the horse accepted going in.
The Loading – I kept a diary as I was so convinced nothing would work
for my horse. I had to have evidence if it all went horribly wrong. I
wrote in the following way:
Friday 16th 2 rears @ start
30 loads
Sat 17th 0 rears
1 run back
(reversing out of trailer at great speed!)
30 loads
Sun 18th 0 rears
2 run backs
30 loads
Licked submissively @ 16 loads
I thought it was important to write everything as we did the programme
to the letter. By day 6 the run backs had stopped. The submissive licks
had started at 8 loads and we started to load in different parts of the
yard.
Day 10 – The drive – We loaded as before, in and reversing out 3 times.
Then we stood in the trailer and John put up the bar at the back. Before
he could get the pin in all hell let loose and the horse ran out the
back of the trailer. I was shaking like mad, I said to John ‘ I can’t do
this, I haven’t got it in me’. Being an old factory manager, John gave
me the motivation talk. I calmed down and we tried again. Success! We
went for a drive and on return reloaded until submission.
Phew - What a day.
Monday 26th September - Although the 10 days of the programme were up, I
felt I still had a lot of work to do. So I reloaded that evening and
shut him in. Again, all hell let loose but at least he was shut in. I
now took him for a drive – shaking like mad – me, not the horse.
I was so stressed the next day, I rang Nikki, who advised me to ring
Max. Max ‘team talked me’ and said to stick with it – the horse is just
trying to find another way of getting his own way.
Saturday 1st October – My first trip out where we got out at the other
end was to Elvaston Castle with Heather to use the ménage (thanks Peter
Coe) and ride around the grounds. He loaded first time, banged about a
little, and I shut him in by myself.
On arrival, I reloaded as instructed. He didn’t want to go back in, but
I put the pressure on and in he came. I had a nice ride in the ménage
and park.
When I came to reload he just planted his feet. I felt so deflated. But
– moved him around, then tried again and in he came and stayed. Success…
Sunday 2nd October – I got him out of the field, and he was pulling me
towards the trailer, so I took him over and tied him to it. I loaded 15
times in and out.
From this day on, if he pulls me towards the trailer, which is most
nights, I tie him to it, take off his rug and leave him while I hang his
rug up. Then go back to him, pick his feet out and brush him there. The
trailer is now part of our daily routine, whether he is just tied to it
or he practice loads or goes out in it.
I went out alone on Sunday 9th, to Elvaston again and loaded and
reloaded both ways. I also met two friends at Elvaston, Tracey and
Ashley who I have not seen for years, and rode along with them. I
thought he would ‘play up’ when I left them and had to reload, but he
was fine.
By 15th October – last week, yes I went with Heather again to Elvaston
(it is safe and a pleasant run out). If I didn’t know better, I would
say I took somebody else’s horse. You wouldn’t believe the difference.
Loaded and schooled like a dream.
I am having a weekend off this week – 22nd/23rd October – but that
doesn’t mean he will not be in the trailer.
I feel confident enough now to travel further a field. I am planning
some pleasure rides and will be at the next beginners jumping at Hargate
Arena – Derbyshire. I am not yet going bloodhounding as I am trying to
keep things calm and controlled, and his brain cells burst with
excitement when he’s out with the pack. But I will be there soon.
The information Max gave me that day, has completely turned around my
relationship with my horse. I cannot believe that I can now go out in
the trailer and know I will get home. I understand my horse more now and
that has made a huge difference to both riding and handling.
I cannot thank Max enough for what he has done. I know this may sound
‘yeh yeh’ to some but believe me, I had a tough initial 18 months with
this horse, and I am told many would have given up. This was the last
straw and although I feel I should have been able to do it alone, I was
mentally exhausted. I have no shame in bringing in a professional, I
only wish I had done it sooner.
Thank you to Max and his support network. |
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