How to Train Your Horse to Load in a Trailer Without Drama

Do you absolutely dread taking your horse anywhere? Or does the thought of training your youngster to load send shivers of terror down your spine? The picture to the right confirms our fears that something terrible could happen. But if you take the time to train your horse right, then the likelihood of such incidents drops dramatically.

Don't think that it's a lost cause if your horse is 12 years old and a nightmare when it comes to trailers. Using the following method, most horses can be converted. I say "most" because no training method works on every single animal without exclusion, no matter what any trainer tries to say. But if you plan in advance, and take your time using all of your patience to avoid rushing the results, then this is a very reliable method.

Using the methods I'm about to describe, you can even start training a foal to load. There is absolutely no force used in this process. But I cannot reiterate enough the need to be PATIENT ... you can reverse all of your efforts in an instant by being too hasty!

The first thing you're going to notice is that I'm not assigning particular time tables to this training. Every horse is different. Take the time to know your horse and respect his capacity for learning and accepting.

Okay. This is where I get the most resistance from folks. Find a place like a safe riding arena, paddock, or pasture that you can park your trailer in.

Unhitch it, yes I said unhitch it, and lower the tongue all the way down. Block all of the tires, front and back, with concrete blocks ... the kind used in construction not landscaping. Take all partitions out and secure the doors open with strong ropes (I like lead ropes for this) ... not bungee cords. Make sure there is enough sawdust on the floor so he doesn't lose his footing. If you are afraid your horse might hurt himself on anything like the jack stand, if it has gaps where he can get his nosy little self trapped in, then take some plywood, cut it and bolt it into place to cover said gaps. Otherwise, always leave the halter off when he is in the pasture with the trailer. You know your trailer (at least, I hope you do), so just use common horse sense! Just remember that a horse that doesn't feel trapped is less likely to panic.

Now, for the next week or so, simply put your horses feed and hay at the very entrance to the trailer. Make sure there is no "sibling rivalry" while doing this! Be certain no other horse can interfere with your efforts, even if it means keeping your in the "training" area by himself for a few hours a day during feeding times. If your horse is pastured with a calm and reliable "babysitter" you might not need to worry about this. Again, just use common sense.

When your horse becomes comfortable with this routine, then and only then, start moving the grain and hay further and further into the trailer in small increments. Do not rush this process! Don't attempt to lead your horse in or out of the trailer until he is comfortably spending time all the way in, finishing his grain and hay in a relaxed manner.

This whole process could take as little as a couple of weeks to a few months, depending on your horse's background and temperament. If done with patience, the end result could even be a horse that "loads" himself with just a gesture at the open trailer!

The only other bit of advice I have is this: When it comes time to start closing the butt bar or snapping the butt chain, do so with caution and patience. Start by moving the butt bar or handling the chain while the horse is eating his meal ... do not start this part of the training until the horse is completely comfortable when he is all the way in the trailer. If he wants out, let him go out without any kind of fuss. When he starts paying no attention to the movement of the bar or chain behind him, you can start latching them. Do so with vigilance, as he is not tied at this point! If he wants out, let him out!

The last step is to start leading him into the trailer with his halter and lead rope. Simply loop the rope through the tie ring and hold onto it without tying it at first. You do not want him to feel trapped. When he pays no mind to this, then have someone start to close the trailer door without latching it while you tie the rope to the ring with a horseman's knot. If he starts to panic, which he really shouldn't if you've taken your time and used all of your patience to this point, then release that knot immediately and let him leave the trailer! The reason most horses are afraid of trailers is because they have felt trapped and panicked at some point.

Have you noticed a common thread throughout this article? Patience. Common horse sense. Patience. Common horse sense. Yes, I realize I repeated myself. Most of society today is so focused on quick results that they forget how to slow down and do things correctly and with love. Horses are one of God's magnificent gifts to us, take the time to appreciate them and do what's best for them!

Happy trailering!