How to Train a Horse to Load on a Trailer

Training a horse to do anything takes time and patience. Although this may seem like a small feat properly training a horse to load into a trailer with ease, and without panicking or jumping, will ensure that the horse and the handler doesn't get harmed. With the following steps, you can ease the horse into loading onto a trailer in a way that should be easy and safe.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Prepare the trailer before you begin. Make sure the trailer is in a safe area and there are no obstacles in your loading area. Make sure the trailer won't move and is hitched to your hauling vehicle. If you want to minimize movement of your horse once you get to the trailer, you can have the trailer near a fence or wall.
2. Have a reward ready in the trailer like a bucket of grain or hay. This will both help coax a horse in and act as a reward once the horse is in the trailer.
3. Set up the trailer ramp if you have one. It is easier to train a horse with a ramp because they don't have to learn how to place on foot inside the trailer and lift themselves upwards. A ramp will also limit the chances of the horses leaping or jumping in the trailer unexpectedly.
4. Lead your horse to the trailer and allow them to stand close to the trailer. Give the horse a few minutes to get used to the trailer for a few quiet minutes.
5. Pick up one foot and place it in the trailer once your horse is comfortable. The horse will most likely immediately pull their foot back out. This is normal. Just place their foot back in the trailer until the horse keeps it there. This might take a few repetitions.
6. Get the horse to place their other front foot in the trailer. If you have a ramp at the trailer, your horse will most likely allow you to place their other foot up on the ramp. If you have a step-up trailer then your horse will need to learn to lift their weight with the one foot to place the other foot in the trailer. This will probably take a little longer and might require another person.
7. Once you have both of the horse's front feet in the trailer, reward him and allow the horse to stand there quietly again. If the horse backs out of the trailer just repeat the steps to get the horse to put both his front feet in the trailer and stand until the horse can stand in the trailer without moving.
8. Give the signal for the horse to move forward. Most horses will walk easily into a trailer once their front legs and head are inside. If the horse still won't walk inside the trailer, repeat the pattern of getting the horse to lift one foot at a time into the trailer. Remember to reward all the forward progress that the horse makes. You can also use the grain or hay as a bribe to move the horse into the trailer.
9. Reward the horse at the end of the training session. One of the most important parts of training is to continue positive reinforcement.