Have you ever tried loading a horse that just did not want to load? As with anything that has to do with horses, teamwork and trust are a must. Ideally, if you get a horse at a young age, you can introduce them to the trailer early as a part of learning ground manners and desensitizing them. If you buy a horse at an older age that was not adequately trained as a weanling or yearling, they may have a fear of the trailer.
You can talk to any horse person, and they will tell you their method for loading a horse. We know that there are many ways to teach a horse to load. What we are sharing in today's blog post is just one method, accompanied by a few helpful suggestions. As a rule, practice makes perfect. If you know your horse doesn't load well, leave yourself ample time before you need to go to your event. Also, make sure you practice loading and unloading days before the event.
Start with Trust and Teamwork
Think of help and companionship as your allies. If you can introduce a young horse to the trailer early as part of ground manners and desensitizing, it becomes a normal thing rather than a scary thing. If your horse is older and trailer-shy, do not worry. Trust can still be built, one step at a time. Practice makes perfect, so give yourselves enough time before the event day to work together calmly and efficiently.
Tip 1 - Put Your Horse to Work
Begin by circling your horse at a trot behind the trailer. Start at a distance where they feel safe and gradually move closer until they seem comfortable near the ramp. This movement teaches them that rest and reward can be found near the trailer.
Tip 2 - Use Your Lead Rope, Not a Lunge Line
Keep your horse close with a lead rope. A lunge line can offer too much slack. Staying connected with gentle contact means you are ready to encourage and guide more effectively as they consider stepping near or into the trailer.
Tip 3 - Encourage Interest and Pause with Praise
When your horse shows curiosity, such as sniffing the trailer or leaning in slightly, pause the circling and offer praise. Rewarding these small steps shows them that moving towards the trailer is what you are looking for.
Tip 4 - Switch Directions and Be Patient
Circle in both directions to help your horse less tense. Go slow, stay calm, and let them approach at their own pace. Patience builds confidence in young horses and reinforces trust in older horses.
Strengthen Foundations with Groundwork and Desensitization
Beyond the circling method, ensure your horse knows basic groundwork such as leading, standing, backing, and yielding. Practice these outside the trailer so they feel calm before you ask them to step up. Let them explore the trailer by sniffing, stepping in with one hoof, or standing partway inside without pressure. Keep these sessions brief and positive for lasting results.
