The #1 Horse Information Resource
Contact Ann to include your company - About Us

 Follow  Like

The Horse Information Lives Here!   

Trailer Loading – A Better, Safer Way by Bob Jeffreys
Bob Jeffreys and his partner, Suzanne Sheppard, a Centered Riding® Level 3 Instructor/Clinician, perform at expos and trade conferences, and present Partnership Training clinics nationwide. Together they personally work with all clinic and Trainer Education Program participants to provide true insight, real answers, and superior results. Bob and Suzanne will teach you more in less time and for less money than any other nationally recognized clinicians.

Teaching a horse to load and unload safely and calmly just might be one of the most important lessons for your horse to learn.
Many accidents to both handler and horse occur at the back of the trailer and they are usually caused by trying to force a horse into the trailer. There’s a better way! When we teach our horse that the trailer is a comfortable place to be, and that choosing to go away from the trailer results in work, we motivate him to seek out comfort by loading himself.

Firstly, outfit your horse with sports boots or leg wraps to protect his legs. Make sure the trailer is secured to the tow vehicle and that everything (buckets, rakes, tools, etc…) is removed from the stall area. Move the divider all the way over to one side, open all the windows, and doors so the trailer doesn’t look like a dark cave (where a bear might be hiding).

Now, standing by his left side, take your horse with halter and long (I use a 19 foot yacht braid rope with a leather popper on the end) lead rope toward the trailer. He’ll probably stop somewhere about 10 to 15 feet in front of it. This is normal; let him stay here calmly to establish in his mind that he is safe at this distance from the trailer. 

After a few minutes, cue his hip with the tail end of the lead rope to ask him to move forward while we remain behind our horse about 10 feet or so and off to his left side also about 10 feet or so. Your horse may choose several options. He might try to pull away from you to his right; if he does simply pull his nose gently back toward the trailer. (I am assuming your horse is halter broke and yields to pressure on the lead rope. If this is not the case you must teach that lesson first). He could also choose to move backward. In this case, you would become in effect a moveable post by moving backwards with him maintaining (not increasing) the pressure he has applied on the lead rope by backing and continue to twirl the “tail” on your lead rope toward his hip until he quits backing. When he does, release your pressure for a moment before again asking for forward motion and continue the lesson.

Your horse is most likely to evade by going up toward the back of the trailer and then scoot out to the left. When he does, don’t try to stop him, but drive him faster by twirling your 3 or 4 foot lead rope “tail” and direct him on about a 20-25 foot diameter circle (your horse will be about 10-12 feet away from you) until his nose once again points toward the trailer. Stop twirling as he approaches the back of the trailer. If he shows any interest in the trailer, reward this by taking him 20 feet away from the back of the trailer and pet him for a few moments in this non-threatening spot while facing away from the trailer. Then repeat.

 He may show more interest in the trailer and whenever he does take him away from it to reward him. If he once again tries to run away to the left (his choice) just send him faster on the circle until he’s facing toward the trailer. After a half hour or an hour of
this, he’ll probably figure out what you want and will look down at the floor of the trailer or paw at it. Either is a good sign telling you he’s thinking about going in. Release your pressure, take him away from the trailer and reward this thought with a good rub and verbal praise. Keep asking and rewarding progress until he’ll put one foot in the trailer. When he does, undo your pressure, praise and ask him to back that foot off or out of the trailer.

After you load and unload this foot fifty times or so, ask for both front feet to go in. Load and unload both feet fifty times or so, releasing and praising each time. You’re also teaching your horse to unload slowly and safely which is a very good thing to teach.
All this standing with both feet in the trailer will get his back legs tired so he’ll be more inclined to finally go in fully when you ask him to. So ask; he’ll put two front feet in and when you ask for him to continue to move forward, he’ll probably step all the way in.
When he does, let him rest there for several minutes before asking him to back out. 

This cements the idea that it’s nice to stay in the trailer, no work here! While continuing to load and unload the horse, start gradually narrowing the space until the divider is in its normal positions start hooking up the butt bar, open and close windows and doors. Finally pack up fully and take your horse for a short ride (no more than a mile or so on the first ride) then back him out, praise him and give him some down time.
Using this method will keep you away from the trailer and less likely to be injured. 
It also sets up the condition for the horse to ultimately decide, on his own, to go into the trailer willingly.
©2005 Bob Jeffreys

To advertise your horse product or service, contact Ann

InfoHorse.com, Horse Information Lives Here ®  2/4/2012
Contact Us to Advertise to over 2 million Horse Owners.      
All images and content Copyright© 2011 by InfoHorse.com, Equusite.com.

Articles, Academic Schools, Arena Maintenance, Animal Communicators, Barns, Barn and Accessories, Barn Equipment and Tractors, Breast Collars, Grooming Products for Horses, Hay Feeders, Horse Blankets, Horse Books, Horse Videos, Horse Breeders, Horse Camping Gear, Career Schools, Carts and Buggies, Horse Training Clinicians, Equestrian Clothing, Dogs and Puppies, Horse Fencing, Western Art & Furniture, Horse Property for Sale, Horse Products For Sale, Fly Control, Foal Care, Horse Footings, Horse Gifts, Horse Health and Nutrition, Hoof and Leg, Horse Insurance, John Lyons Certified Trainers, Equine Lawyers, Leather Care, Links, Horse Property, Horse Photography, Portable Horse Stalls, Arenas and Roundpens, Horse Riding Schools, Horse Schools, Safety Porducts, Services for Horses, Horse Trailers, Horse Shipping, Horse Skin Coat Care, Horse Software, Specialty Trainers, Horse Summer Camps, Tack, Horse Trainers, Treats and Snacks, Truck Accessories, Trucks, Horse Vacations, Western Lifestyle, jewelry