Horsemanship Essentials – Loading

This episode of “Horsemanship Essentials” focuses on addressing the common challenge of loading horses into trailers or lorries. Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks work with horses exhibiting significant resistance to loading.

The episode highlights the distress and frustration that loading problems cause owners and demonstrates techniques to help horses overcome their fear. The program features work with Angel, who has a history of bad trailer journeys, and Sunny, who resists loading. Kelly Marks emphasises the importance of effective communication when asking the horse to move and demonstrates groundwork techniques using a Dually Halter and a long line. The episode showcases a step-by-step approach to desensitising horses to elements of loading, such as walking over wooden surfaces and approaching the trailer. It emphasises patience, a gradual approach, and handler safety. The training demonstrates progress with Sunny successfully loading, and Caitlyn is also shown loading easily.

Viewers will see Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks working with horses, demonstrating groundwork techniques, and guiding horses through the loading process. The episode includes examples of horses’ resistance to loading and their subsequent progress.

Key Learning Points:

1. Understanding the root cause: Addressing the emotional aspect of loading, especially after a bad experience, is crucial.
2. Communicating, not forcing: Focusing on communication and encouraging the horse to move as directed establishes leadership and builds trust.
3. The Dually Halter as a tool: The Dually Halter can provide clear commination with gentle pressure and release reducing confusion behaviours.  
4. Gradual and patient approach: Breaking down the loading process into small steps is more effective than rushing.
5. Handler safety: Prioritising safety when working around trailers and with resistant horses is essential.