Problems With Horse Trailer Loading

Loading a horse into a trailer can be a struggle for both novice and experienced horse owners. Spending time working with your horse to address common problems such as unsafe loading practices, your horse's lack of understanding about what is expected, your horse's fear of the enclosed trailer space, your horse's unfamiliarity with a variety of loading situations or an uncomfortable trailer often helps eliminate many of the trailer loading difficulties you have.

  1. Unsafe Practices

    • Problems encountered when loading a horse into a trailer often stem from unsafe loading practices such as using a whip or butt-rope to force the horse into the trailer or blindfolding it before having it load. These practices often scare the horse and make it hesitant to enter the trailer on subsequent occasions. Spend time with your horse, letting it explore the trailer and practice leading it into the trailer calmly, without the use of additional tools, such as the whip or butt rope. Avoid rushing your horse and practice loading over a period of days or weeks, offering praise or small treats with any progress made, until your horse is comfortable loading onto the trailer safely.

    Unclear Expectations

    • Having unclear expectations about what is required from your horse when loading onto the trailer is another common problem. Horses who do nut understand your basic cues such as "walk" "step up" or "whoa" will have difficulty following your commands when loading onto the trailer. Review your commands with your horse on the ground first before practicing them in a variety of situations, such as next to a fence, while standing on a piece of plywood or when walking into a stall before asking your horse to follow your commands when loading on the trailer. Wait for your horse to be calm and focused on what is expected before asking it to load.

    Enclosed Space

    • Some horses have difficulty loading into a trailer because of a fear of the enclosed space. When loading your horse into the trailer, position it so the sun is shining into the trailer, making the space seem brighter and bigger. Open any gates or stall dividers that your trailer might have to give the horse as much room as possible when loading it and swing the trailer door open as wide as possible. Practice loading a horse that is still hesitant into a large stock trailer with slatted sides, giving it the chance to gain experience before loading into a smaller trailer.

    Unfamiliar Situations

    • Loading your horse into a new trailer or in a different situation often presents a problem as the horse is not familiar with the situation. Once your horse is confident in loading the trailer at home, practice loading your horse in rainy weather, on an uneven surface, or during a busy event to expose it to possible loading situations. Borrow a trailer from a friend to let your horse practice loading in a different type of trailer. Look for a trailer with a ramp if yours is a step-up, or one with a step if yours has a ramp, to expose your horse to both types of trailers.

    Uncomfortable Trailer

    • Using a trailer that is in poor repair may cause your horse to hesitate before loading. Check your trailer for safety and comfort before asking your horse to step inside by looking for bent, warped or loose floorboards that may move when the horse loads onto the trailer. Add shavings to the trailer floor if you have older mats in your trailer that are slippery or become slippery when wet to give your horse better traction. Ensure that all doors and trailer panels are secure before loading your horse so that they do not swing shut suddenly, spooking your horse as it is getting in the trailer.