How to Unload a Horse From a Trailer

It is usually fairly easy to load a horse from a trailer because you're walking the horse forward, but unloading a horse is often more difficult. Although a horse can see better behind him than he can right in front of his face, many horses are squeamish about backing up onto a ramp or down a step. Furthermore, making mistakes when you unload a horse can result in injuries either to yourself or to the animal.

Things You'll Need

  • Lead rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Bring the truck and trailer to a full stop, making sure there is plenty of room around the trailer for unloading the horse safely. Other vehicles, horses or people can pose complications that you'll want to avoid. Furthermore, you need to make sure that the truck and trailer are fully stopped.

    • 2

      Collect a lead rope from the truck or from the tack room. Clip the lead rope to the halter before you attempt to unload a horse from a trailer, and ask someone else to hold the lead rope before you open the back. Leave the trailer tie in place until you have reached the horse through the back of the trailer.

    • 3

      Walk into the trailer as slowly and quietly as possible. You can pat the horse on the rump to let him know that you are there, but don't do anything that might startle him.

    • 4

      Ask the person holding the lead rope to unclip the trailer tie when you are near the horse's head. Unlatch the tail bar if there is one. Then pull the lead rope through the slats in the trailer and turn to face the horse's rear.

    • 5

      Stand approximately one foot away from the horse's shoulder, giving him enough room to maneuver and to protect yourself if he happens to misbehave. Then give a gentle nudge back with the lead rope, asking him to back up.

    • 6

      Walk the horse backward out of the trailer. Make sure that the lead rope is held firmly, but with enough play in it so the horse can move his head.

    • 7

      Close the tail bar after you unload a horse from a trailer. This ensures that it won't be swinging back and forth, particularly if there is a second horse in the vehicle.