The keywords when loading and floating horses and ponies are patience and safety. There are many varying opinions when it comes to loading and floating ponies, but following are some points to consider:

• If your pony is new to floating this will be a very foreign experience for them. It is worth taking your time to make sure the experience is a good one.

• Be patient with them – allow them to adjust to the new smells and sounds.

• Encouraging them to load is much more successful long term than forcing them to load. If your pony is refusing to go onto the float, consider what you can do to make this a more attractive option to them, and how you can reduce their other options. For example, can you park the float in the gateway of some yards, or near a wall?

• Be aware of how your pony is coping with this experience – are they refusing to load because they just don’t want to, or are they actually scared? If they are genuinely scared then putting them under increased pressure can be very unwise.

• Consider the safety of those involved in loading. A nervous pony in a pressured situation will not be thinking clearly and can become dangerous. So be aware of the pressure the pony is under and how they may react.

• When loading only one pony into a double float, load them so that they are on the same side as the driver. This means they are more central on the road and won’t be swung around quite as much.

• When closing the float ramp lift from the sides only, and make sure no one is standing directly behind the float.

• Drive off very slowly when floating a pony for the first time – allow them to get their balance. Take corners slowly and steadily, again to help them keep their balance.

• When unloading, take things slowly. Remember this is the last memory the pony will have of this experience, it is worth making sure you finish well.