How to Load a Horse on a Trailer

Anyone who owns a horse will need to trailer the horse somewhere at some point in the horse’s life. For horse shows, trail rides or emergency evacuations, a horse must be able to load safely onto a horse trailer. However, a horse may be more anxious to get off the trailer than to get on, so loading or unloading in the trailer is a time when accidents can happen and you or the horse can become seriously injured. The steps in this article will help you to avoid any unfortunate accidents. The safest way to load a horse on a trailer is to have two people involved in the process, but this is not always possible. If you must load your horse by yourself, be extra cautious during the procedure. Read on to learn how to load a horse on a trailer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A safe trailer and towing vehicle
• A horse
• A halter and lead rope

Loading

1. Make sure the trailer is safe for transporting the horse. The trailer should be in good condition, with a floor that is not slippery and no feed bags or ropes hanging in such a way that the horse can catch a foot and injure himself.

2. Open the trailer door, lower the ramp if there is one, and open any dividers that will be in the way.

3. Station your assistant outside the trailer at the open window where the horse will be tied.

4. Lead the horse into the trailer and hand the lead rope to your assistant. Do not tie the horse yet unless the trailer is built in such a way that you cannot tie him through the window.

5. Close the divider or door (whichever will secure the horse so he cannot pull back).

6. Tie the horse, with either a quick-release knot or snap. If you use a trailer tie with a snap, remove the lead rope and stow it safely.

7. Close the window, secure the dividers, raise the ramp and close all the doors.

Unloading

8. Open the window and untie the horse. If you removed the lead rope, reattach it to his halter. If possible, never open the door or dividers when the horse is tied.

9. Have your assistant hold the horse with the lead rope while you open the door, lower the ramp and open any dividers that will be in the way.

10. Make the horse stand quietly until you tell him to back up. Do not let him run out of the trailer. Some trailers have enough space that you can safely turn the horse around and lead him out. However, the horse might jump out of a step-up trailer if led out head-first, so you should discourage this behavior while standing out of the way.