How to Load Your Horse on the Trailer

Trailer loading can be a real challenge for any horse owner, and if the horse in question has had a bad experience in a trailer the task can be even more difficult. The key to successful trailer loading is to have lots of patience - and a sense of humor.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• lunge whip
• length of soft cotton rope
• a horse savvy friend
• grain bucket
• patience

1. If you have the time and the space to do it park your truck and trailer in a corral or other enclosure. Place your horse's feed bucket in the front of the trailer, lead your horse up to the back of the trailer and let him see you place his feed in the trailer. Remove his lead rope and let him decide whether or not to go in the trailer after his supper. Feed your horse this way for two or three days straight. Soon he will decide that the trailer is a good place to be.

2. If you do not have the space to park your truck and trailer in an enclosed area, find the largest area you can and walk your horse up to the trailer. If he balks or tries to turn away find the nearest empty space and lunge him several times around you, making him move out as much as possible. Bring your horse back to the trailer and allow him to stand and relax. Approach the trailer again and repeat the process. After awhile your horse should realize that the trailer represents a place to rest, while moving away from the trailer means work.

3. Have your friend hold your horse while you connect one end of a long soft cotton rope to the right side of the trailer. Then take your horse and ask your friend to hold that rope off to the side. Approach the trailer and if your horse begins to back up ask your friend to move the rope behind the horse to urge him to move forward. Slowly urge the horse forward using the rope as pressure. When the horse moves forward even a little bit allow him to relax and praise him. Repeat this process until your horse is loading in the trailer easily.

Tips & Warnings

• Begin trailer loading lessons as early in your horse's life as possible. A horse that learns to load in a trailer as a weanling will pose much less of a problem than an older horse who has never seen a trailer before.
• Be patient. Do not wait until the last minute to load your horse. Try to get access to a trailer a few days ahead of time so you can practice loading without pressure.
• Be careful when working around horses. They can be unpredictable when they are frightened or frustrated.
• Always sand off to the side when working behind your horse. Make sure you are out of kicking distance.

[YourFutureBoss]

on 11/1/2009 Very good info. My parents own horses so I know a bit about loading them. However I'm sure this article will be very beneficial to new horse owners out there. Well written. Keep up the good work. 5*