How to Get a Horse to Load on a Trailer Willingly and Quietly

If you plan to show your horse, go on a trail ride or visit your veterinarian for an equine medical issue, you need your horse to load quickly and quietly into your trailer. More importantly, in an emergency such as a fire or natural disaster, an untrained horse can put you at risk when every minute counts. Patience is the key to teaching your horse to step on board for one of the most important lessons it will learn.

Things You'll Need

  • Halter
  • Lead rope
  • Assistant handler
  • Short lunge whip
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Instructions

    • 1

      Teach your horse to come to you. Put the halter on your horse, stand about four feet away and face him. Tug once on the lead rope, release and say the command "Come here." If he steps toward you, pat him on the face and praise him. If he does not respond, tug harder, repeating the command. Continue to do this until he steps forward.

    • 2

      Back your horse three or four steps. Stop him and make him stand.

    • 3

      Step back about four feet until you are near the end of your lead rope. Pull on the lead rope until your horse steps forward on command. If he pulls backward, release the pressure and walk toward him. Stop him and try again.

    • 4

      Practice these steps until your horse comes forward willingly and quietly.

    • 5

      Hitch your trailer to your towing vehicle. Open the trailer's back doors, windows and the side escape door if your trailer has one.

    • 6

      Lead your horse to the left side of the back of the trailer where he will load. Make him stand straight and face into the trailer.

    • 7

      Step inside and face your horse. If you have an escape door or a slant load trailer, stand at the front left of the trailer compartment, extending the lead rope. If you have a straight load with no escape door, stand at the front of the right compartment.

    • 8

      Have your assistant handler stand near your horse's left hindquarter, holding the whip upside down and away from your horse.

    • 9

      Tug on the lead rope. Tell your horse to come forward. Encourage to him stretch his neck into the trailer and step up close to the trailer floor or ramp. Release the pressure on the rope and talk to him when he starts to come to you.

    • 10

      If your horse pulls backward, step forward. Do not try to pull him to stop. Do not let go of the lead rope. If the horse steps sideways, have your assistant push him over to straighten him. Do not attempt to ask your horse to enter the trailer until he is straight.

    • 11

      Once your horse stretches his neck into the trailer, pull the rope until he puts a foot up on the trailer floor or ramp. Release the pressure and praise him when he does. He may step on and off a few times.

    • 12

      Have your assistant begin to tap lightly with the butt of the whip on the top of the horse's tail while you pull him forward. Tap increasingly harder until the horse steps both feet into the trailer. The point is to make it more uncomfortable outside the trailer than inside.

    • 13

      Once he stands with both feet in the trailer, stop pulling the lead and tapping with the whip. Allow the horse to relax a few seconds.

    • 14

      Pull the lead again while your assistant taps the top of your horse's tail until he steps into the trailer. When all four feet are in the trailer, have your assistant connect the butt chain on the trailer compartment. Quickly exit the trailer through the escape door or the back. Close the trailer doors.

    • 15

      Spend the next few days repeating the lesson until your horse steps obediently into the trailer.