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him. All I’m doing at this stage is asking him to consider focusing on the horsebox, which he starts to do. However, the moment he starts to focus on it he feels more vulnerable, so I go easier on him.


It’s important to


remember never to trap the horse as this makes him feel very vulnerable and reinforces his fear.


I want Chase to start considering the horsebox a bit more seriously, so each time his attention diverts away from me and he starts looking in the other direction, I put a little pressure on the rope to bring his attention back to me again. Then I rub his head to let him know that was the right thing to do.


All of the time I am listening and watching his body language, as there’s absolutely no point asking him to consider the horsebox if his state of mind is wrong. When he’s listening, I move his feet from side to side again and put gentle pressure on the rope to ask him to consider my suggestion to load.


It’s important to remember never to trap the horse as this makes him feel very vulnerable and reinforces his fear. Therefore, when Chase has a negative moment and pulls back, I allow him to go backwards but when he stops, I ask him forward again, so he learns that nothing is really gained from his backward steps.


I am quick to reward him for any effort he makes, so a forward step is always rewarded with a head rub.


Chase has a good sniff


I allow Chase to move backwards if he wants to, but then I ask him forward again


Coming on side


It wasn’t long before Chase was starting to come around to the idea and was beginning to focus on the task. It’s essential that I don’t try to rush him to make any decisions and that I keep calm in my own body language. If I became cross or impatient, he would quickly lose faith in me and say no again.


I keep repeating the same exercises of moving his feet, rubbing his head as a reward for trying and allowing him to move backwards if he feels he needs to, although moving backwards was rarely happening now. Chase started to place his front feet on the ramp, so again I asked him to keep moving his feet from side to side, keeping him focused on the idea of moving, rather than planting himself.


There were still moments where Chase thought he’d done enough and he was looking to compromise with me by putting half a foot on the ramp. I understand that he finds it hard,


Rewarding a forward step


Chase got defensive when he saw the trailer and immediately showed resistance.


With the centre partition moved across once he’s relaxed, I start to put some pressure on Chase


Michael’s top tips


• I consider problem loaders to have a life- threatening condition. If you think about it, a horse that won’t go onto a lorry or trailer cannot be rushed to hospital in an emergency.


• Not being able to load a horse halves its value, so it’s a really important lesson to get firmly in place. It also decides where he sits in the economy of the horse world. Remember, good horses will have a better chance of a successful future, so make your horse a good one!


• Avoid ‘well-meaning’ people who suggest forcing the horse in by using brooms, lunge lines and whips. I once turned up at a yard to help a problem loader and the horse did a poo on the ramp, so I asked the owner for a broom. Her response was ‘Oh we’ve tried that’. She thought I was going to shove the broom up the horse’s backside, but I merely wanted to clean up the mess.


• I decided not to boot or bandage Chase up for this session as it adds to his anticipation anxiety and it was all kept very calm and quiet. But, when travelling you should ensure your horse is suitably protected.


Each time Chase diverts his attention


away from me, I put pressure on the rope to bring him back to me


Lowering of the head shows a more relaxed horse


• Remember, patience is the key. If you’re angry your horse will pick up on this and probably not load at all. That’s why it’s important to practise when you don’t actually need to be going somewhere.


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