Float Loading - How to get your horse on the float

This article is from the August 2019 Horse Deals magazine.

We all want that horse that we point at the float and he can’t wait to get in there, right?

Probably the number one issue that people come to us with is float loading.

The loading problem is generally a symptom of other problems and a lack of skills and connection with your horse, in that you do not have sufficient control of the feet or connection with the mind and the body.

It is a difficult situation for people as they want to come to our class to learn these skills, but to do that, they need to float their horse - classic catch 22.

The problems that we see with float loading are:
• Horse rearing and running backwards
• Horse refusing to go in (or anywhere near) the float
• Horse rushing out backwards and possibly hitting their head in the process.

There are various problems that occur during the process of loading, for example, the horse running off the edge of the tailgate around the other side of the float. Quite often when this happens the person inadvertently releases the pressure and hey presto - starts teaching the horse to seek release there.

Horses are very clever and fast learners and it doesn’t take them long to figure out what they can or can’t do (or what they think they should or shouldn’t do as their behaviour is directly related to what humans have taught them). We say the first time is a mistake, the second time they learn it, the third time it’s a habit.

When loading from the tailgate, we must be sure to protect our space, sometimes a horse will see a gap between the handler and the back of the float, and make his dash for freedom there. We MUST block this as it can create a dangerous habit - but again this all comes back to ground skills and the horse understanding that we have our own personal space.

All horses really want is peace and comfort and this is their number one motivator. We need to help/teach them to seek and find this.

When people do manage to get their horse loaded, they quickly shut them in; yay, off we go! The problem is they have just trapped the horse and created more worry. Then when they arrive at their destination, the horse is so desperate to get out, that they do so in a dangerous rush.

We all know what the problems are, but how do we fix them? Its actually not about “fixing” it is about having a good foundation with your horse - learn the skills and the rest comes easy.

Equipment

It is important to be using the right equipment, we recommend: A rope halter (there is not enough “feel” in a web halter) and a lead rope minimum 12 foot long. It is also handy to have your horse familiar with a flag.

Skills

It is necessary for the handler to have the knowledge and have learned the skills before they can share these with their horse.
The skills or knowledge the horse needs to have are:
• To have good lateral flexion
• To be able to back up
• To be able to stand still (I know this sounds simple!)
• To be able to yield from pressure - forward/backward and sideways (in other words control of the feet)
• To be able to be driven with a flag (sensitised and desensitised to a flag)
• RELAXATION

There are a lot of various exercises that help teach the above skills. One of the key elements is that we need to be able to direct the feet to where we want them to go.
We need to get the feet “unstuck”. We need to get to the horse’s brain, so often we see horses are just not mentally present. Through well-practiced groundwork we can get this connection happening. The horse will start to ask questions “what would you like me to do next?”. Most importantly we need to achieve connection, response, and relaxation.

The process of loading

1. First and foremost - Be confident and believe in yourself!

2. The idea is to make the float the place of peace and comfort. Anywhere away from the float is busy as in they have to move their feet.

3. Do some groundwork exercises near to where the float is - you are creating a “busy” place.

4. Now walk toward the horse float. Be aware of your horse’s body language, but use this as information only.

5. Be quick to correct if they try to swing their hindquarters away or duck down the side of the float.

6. You want to load from the position of you standing on the tailgate - you want to direct the horse in. We never lead (or drag) the horse in.

7. If the horse puts a hoof on the tailgate or lowers his head to smell it - reward by releasing pressure. Then ask again.

8. Keep repeating this; pressure on and release. Timing is a key element here. If you take the pressure off at the wrong moment, you teach the wrong thing. Not releasing will frustrate your horse, they will mentally give up as there is nothing in it for them.

9. Once the horse is on the float - leave them completely alone. Do not shut them in. They need to learn that this is the place of comfort.

10. After the horse has stood quietly in the float for a few minutes, you can now ask them to unload. Don’t freak out! The horse needs to know that they can come out. It is all part of the process.

Repeat the process.
Remember step one; be confident and believe in yourself!

The power of intention!
We have had people phone and say; “I can’t do it, I have been trying for ages and he won’t load”. Mike tells them “load your bloody horse you CAN do it” and amazingly with his words over the phone they get it done.

When we do our float loading training days, we first spend a few hours working on the essential elements required in the groundwork. We generally like people to attend one of our full day essentials classes. We will then go through the loading process, allowing plenty of time for the horse to find that place of peace and relaxation. We will then load and unload many times until the horse is completely at ease and relaxed in the whole process. We have incredible results with problem loaders now self-loading from a distance and have had lots of happy tears from handlers. We also have a bit of fun and play a game of musical float, where people will load their horses in each other’s floats.

Tips

• Do not use food or treats to entice your horse into the float. Bribery is not the answer!
• Do not feed your horse while travelling in a float. Horses can be so in the moment, they don’t realise they are moving and can panic when they do.
• Don’t be in a rush to unload when you reach your destination. Get yourself organised first. Let your horse settle first.
• Always make sure the horse is untied before you let the tailgate down.
• Do not give up! Have positive intention.
• Don’t be in a hurry and give yourself plenty of time.

Faith Mason from Drifting Sands Horsemanship

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