The True Test of Trailer Loading

Brenda Coach Author

Aug 20, 2024 |

Getting your horse IN the trailer is just not good enough. Does your horse rear and resist entry and does it also paw, call, rock and kick inside?

The True Test of Trailer Loading

Either your horse is a great loader and a quiet traveler or not.  This is the true test of trailer loading - how they enter, ride and exit.

If you have a horse that expresses that it “won’t, can’t and don’t want to”, when facing the trailer, it will be helpful to take a closer look into alternative ideas to get your horse to load and trailer quietly for life.

Begin by deciding what exactly you want the horse to do. It is not – get in! 

Let's break it down. What you really want is your horse to walk all four feet on a platform and ride without pawing, rocking or kicking. You want them to arrive at their destination relaxed and calm and ready for the activity you have planned.

If you break this down even more, you want the horse to walk up on a platform, between to walls and under a ceiling, sometimes up to a manger or chest bar, accept the butt chain and be calm while the metal box it is contained in rocks and bounces its way to your destination.

That’s quite a different picture from "just get in", right? 

What you might not have considered is the state of mind and the level of training that is required to achieve the ideal picture of a horse that loads calmly for life.

As I have trained countless horses to load calmly and confidently for life, I picked up a few details very commonly unconsidered in that process.

There are the phases of mental and emotional states that a horse works through. Perhaps you can recognize your horse in one of them. This will show you how far you have come in teaching the horse to load and where you will need to develop the process more to improve.

The most seen, is the Coercion stage. Picture the energy, anger or frustration of the people working on getting that darn horse into the trailer. Also, look at the tools being used as restraints and motivators. I’ve seen and sadly done or have been complicit in the past, using lunge lines behind the butt, the wrist lock with another person, the broom brush and the whip taps. You may be able to add to this list. Sometimes, I have seen those work but also, I have seen the disasters and long-term failures from using these techniques. Have you?

Then there is the Obedient stage. Here you will see a horse led into the trailer and either lead out or backed out repeatedly in the attempt to show the horse that it can do it and it is ok in there. The horse that follows its owner repeatedly into the trailer is betrayed when the doors close and their head is tied and that trusted owner they were following abandons them in the metal trap. This is the horse that typically begins calling, pawing and rocking inside. The owners say, “let’s get rolling, to stop that”. The reasoning is that the horse will learn to keep all its feet on the floor for stability and quiet down.

The Willing loader stage. This is the horse that somehow learned that the inside of the trailer is a good place to be. Motivated by the choice between busy work outside versus adequate rest inside. Add food comfort to complete the picture. Many horses can make this decision and are considered good loaders and riders. Many owners settle for this result. But then, there is that one day where the energy, situations and experiences cause the horse to resist. Then you will find yourself in the Coercion stage, rebuilding the Obedient stage again.

The absolute best stage to achieve so that your horse calmly and confidently loads and rides for life is the Intentional Stage. You want your horse to think its way into the trailer so that it rides quietly without pawing, kicking, calling or rocking and it exits thoughtfully. How much time does it take to get your horse to load with intention? It takes the time it takes you to teach the steps and build the confidence and trust. You will see your horse walk confidently to the trailer, look where to place its feet, step into the space and up to the chest bar, accept the butt bar and door closing while it quietly munches the hay. You start rolling and there is no ruckus in the back. Imagine the peaceful journeys you can enjoy when your horse enjoys the trailer ride as much as you enjoy the destination activity.

Be encouraged! When you get your horse’s mental and emotional state aligned and calm, in the Intentional Stage your horse will be a great loader and rider for life, and you will have taught your horse the most useful skill they need in life.

Categories: : Essential Skills