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This is probably the most common cause of loading problems - if a horse has had a bad ride, it's not surprising he subsequently shows reluctance to go into the vehicle again to repeat the experience.

You simply cannot be too careful; it takes only one bad journey to undermine a horse's confidence - or to shatter it completely if he's already some-what dubious about travelling. Don't forget to take into account all those bumpy showgrounds you may visit. If possible, unload before tackling really rough or potholed areas and parking up - and if not, at least slow down.

Any negative thought connection a horse makes concerning a trailer or lorry will cause him to become awkward about being loaded. Bad experiences are obvious factors but these associations do not always relate to the actual journey or loading process.

If you are travelling to shows or clinics frequently, he may soon realise that a journey equalls a hard work session and become more difficult to load for the outward journey, but load happily when coming home.

To prevent this happening, try boxing him out for some long hacks so that he makes a positive association between the box and a nice day out.

Not all horses travel well together so give some thought to comp-atibility. Although the presence of a confident horse may give a nervous one reassurance, this can backfire if the poor traveller ends up frightening the good one.

Friction can also arise when horses are placed in such close proximity in a confined space. Various levels of bullying sometimes occur without the driver being aware and lead to unpleasant associations being formed. High partitions may help stop actual physical contact and injury but doesn't stop a degree of intimidation from occurring.

Travel boots can be a godsend -they are quick and easy to clean and to pop on and off. But unless comfortable and a really good, secure fit, and the horse is already accustomed to wearing them, they can cause anxiety. If they are a little stiff he may feel as though his movements are restricted, causing him to become restless. This in turn can lead to the boots slipping and panicking him still further as he feels some unseen monster flapping around his legs.

Often mistaken for symptoms of claustrophobia is the horse's fear of his hips being banged, particularly if this has happened in other situations, such as going through stable doors or gateways. With trailers especially, room for manoeuvring a horse in and out, whether through front or rear unload ramps, can sometimes be tight even when partitions have been moved across. Therefore, care needs to be taken to guide the horse as straight and slowly as possible. A gloomy, dark interior can also be off-putting and make the space inside seem smaller. Check also that the trailer is of sufficient height for your horse.

Another commonly experienced problem is that of the horse having difficulty in balancing while the vehicle is on the move. Research has shown that the majority of horses travel better when they are facing backwards. While this arrangement isn't always possible, it's certainly worth experimenting with other positions, such as standing the horse diagonally, which may be a more comfortable position for him than facing directly forwards. Partitions can be a source of trouble too in respect of a horse's need to move his feet apart in order to balance himself. If there is a gap at the bottom, the horse's feet can slide beneath it and get wedged, causing a major panic.

Lack of obedience and trust in the handler can lead to problems when loading whereas if your horse does have faith in you, you can use this relationship to encourage him to overcome his doubts. To increase the bond between you and your horse, try some training in one of the control halters marketed by horse behaviourists like Kelly Marks and Richard Maxwell. If you use one of these to load though remember to swap it for a regular headcollar for the journey - never use it to tie him up with on any occasion.

Read more loading/travelling advice:

• Loading made simple
• Top tips on loading
• Q&A: Travelling a foal

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