They do the oddest things sometimes don't they :-0 You're right that this needs addressing before something goes horribly wrong. Forgive me, I'm about to ask you a stack of questions but I think we need a bit more info so that we can help out. (1) what has happened in the past when you attach the rear bar? (2) What is he like with other things touching behind him (3) What is he like with anything walking/coming up behind him (4) If you load him in and just stand there ( no bar no back door closed) how does he behave? (5) Is it a trailer or a horsebox? (6) When he is in transit how does he behave, is he quiet, restless...? (7) What is he like coming out of the trailer; is it backwards or do you have a front ramp so he comes out forwards; does he rush out or is he calm? (8) Has a whip every been used on his bum (riding or lunge or anything else - doesn't have to have been hard I just need to know, not to criticise honestly. (9) If he is saddled, is a crupper ever used. Finally, can you think of anything at all that has happened (not necessarily trailer related) that would make him get upset at the thought of anything touching his bum. Ok, I'll stop now!

Oops sorry, no one last thing, how old is the trailer and what is the floor condition like.

Hi thank you for your answer I will try to answer all your questions.
1. Joby has travelled only three times each time with bar attached and no problem. Loading took some time but this is being resolved and he loads without worry.
2. Doesn't mind things touching his rear or being behind him. Sometimes when brushing his tail he might clamp it to him but no other reaction.
3. He is now happy to load and will stand confidently.
4. We have an I for hb511 so light and airy.
5. Even though we had previous loading issues he travelled really well. His first outing was in a small Richardson quite old and he was a bit wobbly legged when we arrived. I have always said this then accounted for his loading issues following.
6. He does slightly rush off - front ramp.
7. Lunge whip used.
8. He is saddled but no crupper.
7. From what i have read about new forest sales he may well have been herded on some form of travel once or more times before sold.

A little added history. Joby supposedly arrived with his first owners along with mum but was told by that owner that it turned out not to be so and this made soon discarded him. He may only have been 4 months at this stage. I used to watch over him as he was in field next to me and that's how we found each other. He was very wild and it took a few months just to stand near him. So yes come a long way in his 5 years. Sorry for very long reply and thank you for your interest.

I had a similar experience with my beloved old pony Rocky once; He used to travel fine in an big old Rice trailer, it was heavily built so more solid on the road.
We hired someone to take us to a show one day & they had a light weight trailer, he loaded fine, BUT, it rattled as he got on & it frightened him, he stood for a few seconds before shooting out backwards, I'd already got under the breast bar & tried to hold onto him so my ribs were smashed into the breast bar.
It was the rattling that scared him & i imagine the floor felt different too, he was never as confident about travelling after that, but did travel better in a lorry.

Thanks for sharing the information - from what you describe it does seem like 'bum sensitivity' :-) Past memory will also play a part, yes, as a NF he will undoubtedly have been herded around. Thanks goodness he has found a lovely home like yours. His backside sensitivity may have happened from a lunge whip catching him on the rear end (I hate the damn things) or if the trailer braked suddenly one day he may have fallen back onto it; further suggested by him 'clamping down' when you brush his tail (check there are no mites or sores in his tail area, just to be sure). Having rules out all that, we may never know the reason but to be honest, it doesn't really matter, it is what it is. Being 'into pressure' he will look for the bar again and fall back onto it each time and it risks becoming a self reinforcing behaviour. I suggest rather than taking the horse to the trailer bring the bar to the horse; i.e. take the bar off and start desensitising him to the bar being around him away from the trailer. Encourage him to move away from the bar. Also important to heavily pad the bar so that he feels no discomfort from it. You can then move back to loading him, doing all the work with the bar in the trailer (not connected) and progress to it being connected. Important point that Monty makes - it is precisely for this reason that you should never tie the horse up while the back door is open.

sounds similar to the race horse who didn't like the bars inside the starting boxes, Monty put carpet on them and that helped In part of resolving the issue.
X

Thank you all for your support and advice. I will try your suggestions vicci and let you know how we progress. It takes other like minded people sometimes to help you see things clearly. Watch this space for our progress.

Look forward to hearing your progress. Enjoy the weekend. x

Just an update. The pony has loaded successfully after his earlier backwards escape. I believe the dually was his and my saviour. He responds very well to our schooling with the halter and we definitely have a better partnership. We're still taking things slow and I'm happy with joby loading calmly and getting off front ways equally as calmly. Next step will be re introducing the bar a little at a time.

Great stuff, lovely to hear that it's going well :-)

Hi. Just a quick thought. Companion. If your pony is now improving it would be helpful if one of his friends, who travels calmly, came too for moral support. If you break down what is being asked here it's quite an eye opener. Walk into very confined space where the light is different, have restraints applied all round removing all chance of flight. Doors close changing the light again & making noise associated with previous, frightening & very likely painful experience. Rumbling noise starts, ground under your feet starts to vibrate. More noise, a jerk & then you keep needing to rebalance because your legs are still but you're moving. Then there is the noise of other traffic going by with unfamiliar smells. Put like that it's a minor miracle any horse willingly loads ever again after the first time. Another example of how accommodating they are to our needs. Cheers, Jo.

I so agree Jo I've always been amazed at how our friends cope when we ask such things of them. I'm a bit reluctant to put him on board with his friend in case he reacts badly and I have two horses reacting with each other in a less than positive ways. I have been wondering how I can work with Joby to help him come off pressure so that he doesn't feel he needs to react in this way. Any advice please.

Where are you up to with the advice given and progress made re: Bar?

I would start with a non travelling load up. Load them both. Close up as though you're about to embark on a journey. If there is any negative reaction, open up immediately & take them off. If a positive reaction then leave them quiet for a couple of minutes & then introduce a bucket with a couple of handfuls of feed to both at the same time. This will build a plus into their thinking. Next time they go on board they will associate it with pleasant food. A couple of handfuls of something nice puts any of us in a better frame of mind. Little baby steps. Being a herd animal, company will only serve to make the experience more acceptable. The companion will relish his role for the extra treat & Joby will appreciate the support of a happy friend. Cheers, Jo