Truck loading problem

Question
Hi. I have a youngster that I bought 3 weeks ago and although very green, he has not until now put a foot wrong. Today however, we had been on a bush ride and coming back he would not load in the truck even though he has been in the same truck on four outings now. It took us two hours and the only way we got him in in the end was to load him up a cattle loader and into it. I want to practice getting him in but want to get his confidence with it. The ramp is on the side of the truck. Do you recommend the squeezing game and if so, how do i do it with the ramp on the side? I do not have access to other trucks or floats. I also don't quite understand how to do the squeezing game. I want to build his confidence so that he just goes straight in again. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Kat.
  I'm not familiar with what you call "the squeezing game" either.
I have a couple suggestions for you though. Since he has been on this rig before and loaded without a problem, I'm thinking it was something in the area that he was concerned with, rather than the trailer. If this problem occurs again, I would lead him away from the trailer, walk him in a circle for a few minutes, and try to load him again. If he won't load then, I'd get two people to lock arms behind him, and apply pressure to his hind legs in the butt area. This should encourage him to move forward. I would strongly suggest using positive reinforcement with him. Stop giving him his favorite treat--whether it be a carrot, apple, sugar, horse muffin or whatever. When he loads into the trailer, give him a treat immediately. No other times for now---just when he gets into the trailer. It usually doesn't take too long for a horse to make the connection what they have to do to get their treat!
  I will tell you a funny story before I go. Many years ago, I had a 2 year old who was a little funny about loading, but if you bribed him with a sugar cube he would walk right on. We were racing at a fair and we were running late; when it came time to get him on the trailer, we were out of sugar cubes. One of the girls in the barn had some Bubble Yum, so we gave him a piece and he walked right. We figured when the sweet/sugary taste was gone, he would let it fall out of his mouth. You can imagine our surprise 2 hours later when we got to the fair AND HE WAS STILL CHEWING THE GUM!!!!
  Best of luck with your boy! Let me know how you make out :)
Anne Stepien