Things You'll Need:
- Leather or breakaway Halter, Lead Rope, Longe Line, Longe Whip, Horse Trailer, Grain or Treats and Patience!
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Step 1
You must make sure the horse you are intending to load moves forward on your command. A horse that will not go forward will not be easy to load. Start with ground work first to ensure a safe and simple trailer loading lesson.
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Step 2
Hook up your truck and trailer in an enclosed area. Make sure that your trailer is clean, inviting and secure. Make sure the area you are loading in is free of any debris or hazards. A round Pen or pasture is best in case the horse you are trying to load breaks free.
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Step 3
Walk your horse to the trailer and have them stand. Give them a moment to smell the trailer. Make sure they are standing quietly, and not turning sideways, or pulling back. Once they have stood quietly ask them to move forward. Do not pull or go into the trailer with the horse.
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Step 4
Once your horse has approached the trailer without incident and stood quietly - ask them to move forward. If your horse starts to balk, turn sideways or refuse there are many things you can do to encourage them to move forward. Reassuring the horse is fine, but not rewarding them for not moving. You don't want to baby-talk or give treats to a horse that is not doing what you ask. You want to be firm with your voice and tension but not create a panic mode. Use the end of your lead rope to swing and graze the horse behind the shoulder. Do not ever swing a rope or whip in the horses face. You can also use your lunge whip to "tap" the legs to urge the horse forward. Again, do not use any item to scare or spook your horse into the trailer. This will not teach them how to load but only to react.
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Step 5
If your horse will still not move forward, take your lunge line and hook the end to the halter, and run the line through the tie ring in the trailer. This will give you the ability to move the horse forward while keeping their head strait. Make sure you use pressure and release if the horse pulls backwards. You do not want the horse to pull back and injure itself. Use your lunge whip to tap the horses back legs or hindquarters or use the end of the lead rope to swing/brush the horse behind the shoulder. You want to make the horse realize that standing here is not comfortable and inside is a much better idea. This may take a lot of time, but taking the time will help in the long run.
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Step 6
Once your horse has decided to move forward even with two feet, stop the horse and reassure them. Then ask them to move forward again. If they back out, that's fine, but ask them to go forward right away. Do not turn them around or give them a treat. Ask for them to work again. Continue these steps until the horse has loaded and stood quietly in the trailer - only close the door or divider once they are standing quietly and there is no risk of them bolting out the back.
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Step 7
Once your horse is standing quietly and the back door or divider is closed - tie your horse with a breakaway snap trailer tie or with your lead rope into the trailer. Make sure to reward your horse once they are settled. Rewarding them too quickly or for pawing, kicking, etc. is not advised.
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Step 8
Your horse must unload as quietly as it loads. You can use the steps above to help your horse unload safely and quietly by using the lunge line to guide and direct your horse. You should train your horse to load in both a straight and slant load trailer should an emergency arise and one or the other is all you have to move your horse.
Comments
horsewizard said
on 7/23/2009 Well written, good solid advice, safety concious. I would disagree about not getting into the trailer with the horse, that is a bad idea with a straight-load, but with a stock trailer or slant load, it can be done cautiously if needed. A fine article!