How to load a horse into a horse trailer.

There are many ways to load a horse into a trailer, some ways are better than others. By that I mean, you can get the horse on the trailer, but how you do it will determine how difficult it will or won't be in the future. Personally I prefer them to load easily =) In this article, I will explain the best way I've found to load a horse into a trailer with the best long term results.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Horse Trailer
• Horse
• Lead rope
• Crop or small pipe
• Walmart bag (any small plastic bag will do =)
• Fearless Friend LOL
• PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE

1. First, tie the bag to the end of the crop or plastic pipe.
   Lead the horse toward the entrance of the trailer using the lead rope. When he/she hesitates or veers away from the trailer, begin to shake the stick. This may irritate the horse due to the sound of the bag. *that's a good thing because that is the plan =)

2. The point is to make the outside of the trailer where he/she doesn't want to be and instead make the inside of the trailer his/her "happy place" =) *smile. You want the horse to want to be in the trailer.
   There is no need to touch the horse with the bag, crop, or pipe. It is simply there to shake around the horse and coerce the horse into the trailer.

3. In the beginning you may need a friend to stand behind the horse. This will of course be dependent on how difficult the horse may or may not be.
   As you lead the horse into the trailer, your friend will need to keep shaking the bag in a manner that drives the horse forward. If the horse moves to the right, keep the bag to his right and visa versa.
   After you have loaded the horse into the trailer, back him off the trailer and do it again. Once this has been done several times, I have found the horse loads quite easily.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be careful.

[starlet67]

on 6/29/2009 great info for loading a horse into a trailer!5*

[vicmik5]

on 11/30/2008 I don't have a problem loading my horse. The problem is getting her off of the trailer. I have a two horse straight load. Any time she feels her back leg drop as she's backing up, she freaks out & scoots forward right away, refusing to get off. Any ideas on this problem?

[vicmik5]

on 11/30/2008 My horse loads easily, but the problem is getting her off of the trailer. She is scared to death once her back leg drops down; she scoots forward again & refuses to get off. Any ideas for helping unload?

[Beadbug]

on 10/17/2008 Ah yes, Common sence to me! Have you seen my article on Vises?

[BamaHorseman]

on 10/6/2008 Great article!! Outstanding job lolabug.This article was very informing.I tried it out and within the first couple of days it was working very well.One can only imagine some of the dificulties that can arise when your tring to load a horse,especialy when you by yourself.Keep up the excellent work..