| If you ever had to load a horse in a trailer for the first | | | | be reassured just like people do. Remember, this is |
| time, you'll know this can be a rather traumatic | | | | something new and possibly terrifying to him. If your |
| encounter for both you and your horse. These tips will | | | | repeated attempts to entice him into the trailer fail, then |
| help train your horse to load in a trailer with ease. First | | | | you can proceed to some more persuasive methods. |
| of all, as the old saying goes, you catch the most flies | | | | Two people can get behind the horse (make sure he |
| with honey. | | | | is gentle if you try this method) and gently loop their |
| Set up your first trailer loading experience to be | | | | arms around his buttocks grasping hands together and |
| positive, by allowing plenty of time for training. If your | | | | exerting slight pressure up against his back side. This |
| first try at loading your horse causes pain or agitation, it | | | | will cause him to move forward, however one person |
| can develop into a great deal of trouble down the | | | | still needs to be leading the horse. If you are by |
| road. If possible use an open top trailer for the first | | | | yourself, you can loop a rope around his hind quarters |
| time or two. Have good quality hay and some grain | | | | and essentially apply the same pressure by pulling on |
| handy to both reward your horse and entice him into | | | | the end of the rope. |
| the trailer. | | | | Don't do this at the trailer though, this may cause a bit |
| Lead him up to the trailer slowly allowing him to see | | | | of rebellion the first time you do it. Take the horse out |
| and become used to the idea of being near a trailer. If | | | | in a pen and lead him around with the rope looped |
| you have other horses, load one or two of them first, | | | | over his tail end. Make sure the rope doesn't get up |
| while allowing your trainee to watch and see how they | | | | under his tail, though, or you will have a little rodeo. |
| take to it. If this is possible you may not have much | | | | After leading him around the pen a few times you can |
| trouble at all with your first loading. | | | | move him toward the trailer and gently apply pressure |
| Lead your horse up to the trailer gate and spend | | | | on the rope until he climbs in. |
| some time with him just standing there while feeding | | | | At times you may even have to lift his front foot into |
| him a handful of grain. Slowly but surely back into the | | | | the trailer and get him started that way. Be sure to |
| trailer yourself making sure you aren't in a position to | | | | feed him once you have him in the trailer. Speak gently |
| get stepped on or mashed if he lunges. If this is a two | | | | and encouragingly to him the entire time. If you take |
| horse trailer, keep the partition between the two of | | | | your time, your first trailer loading experience can be |
| you. | | | | positive and your horse will be traveling with you |
| If your horse balks, speak quietly to him. Horses like to | | | | everywhere. |