{"id":447,"date":"2015-04-24T19:30:18","date_gmt":"2015-04-25T02:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/articles.amazinghorsecountry.com\/?p=752"},"modified":"2020-03-14T11:09:35","modified_gmt":"2020-03-14T18:09:35","slug":"loading-horse-trailer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/articles.amazinghorsecountry.com\/index.php\/2015\/04\/24\/loading-horse-trailer\/","title":{"rendered":"Loading your Horse in the Trailer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At some point we need to haul a horse in a trailer. For some that’s a daily event and for others it’s rare. Often trailer loading is an exercise that happens when we need to get somewhere on a timeline: a trip to the vet, meeting friends at the trail head or hauling to a show.  Sometimes it goes great…and sometimes…not so much. Difficulties can lead both us and our horses to associate trailer loading with a negative experience.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s change that.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailer loading can be a positive <\/em>experience for people and horses. We’ll approach trailer loading like we do any other maneuver we train a horse for: we\u2019re aware that training or retraining a horse takes time.  We don\u2019t expect proficiency on the first go, and start practicing well in advance of when the maneuver is required. When we view trailer loading as another training exercise versus an event, we can open the door to success.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Athletic maneuvers such as a spin or half-pass involve smaller elements that are worked on individually and then brought together. Trailer loading is very similar; it is a combination of a variety of individual elements.  The key to successful loading for years to come is to practice those elements, that when combined, result in a horse to stepping calmly into the trailer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"trailer<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the only time your horse sees the trailer is when you\u2019re in a rush. Some horses may also associate the trailer with previous negative experiences. Your horse may balk, back out quickly, rear, kick, pull back, run into you or kick the walls of your trailer. Keep in mind that your horse is only responding that way because in his mind, either his life is being threatened or he’s struggling with leadership. He isn\u2019t misbehaving, he\u2019s communicating. He\u2019s scared or expects an unpleasant experience.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not every horse will view the trailer the same way. Some horses have no fear or negativity associated with the trailer. They may have previous training or were introduced to the trailer as curious colts. It\u2019s important to understand that although every horse is unique, their thoughts revolve around a self-preservation and herd order instincts. The trailer is a dimly-lit confined space with no room to flee: the antithesis of the herd and pasture.  It therefore makes sense that their self-preservation instinct can manifest itself.  The instinctual actions for a horse under pressure are to freeze, flee or fight. We’ve seen all of those associated with trailer loading.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big change in trailer loading difficulties come when we show the horse a new way of handling the trailer loading stress – release to pressure and follow your focus.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From a human perspective, getting in a trailer is a simple, one step maneuver. You just step up and walk in. No big deal. Thus the expectation might be formed that all horses should load easily all the time. But this isn\u2019t the case, particularly for a mature horse that has never been loaded before, or one that has unpleasant memories associated with the trailer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"trailer<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let’s offer a fresh take and view trailer loading as a combination of elements, or individual pressures the horse experiences.  Training then becomes both an organized demonstration of exercises we have accomplished, and also an indication of specific elements we need to work on. How a horse responds when asked to get in a trailer will clearly expose what individual pressures and struggles a horse has. We work on those pieces away from the trailer.  When we\u2019ve improved, we practice the trailer again and assess the result of our work. It\u2019s a positive training style that has no negative for the horse.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the suggestions and exercises presented here presume your knowledge of certain elements of our horsemanship style.  These are separate topics are well documented in my other articles and video series available on my website. <\/span>

I recommend viewing our Trailer Loading Webinar video. It’s nearly two hours of trailer loading tips, demonstrations, discussions and solutions to common problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"trailer<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let’s take a look at some items we utilize in our training. Platforms, doors, stalls and shelters are perfect training tools accessible to everyone.  These exercises can be worked on for a few minutes every time you catch your horse. By doing so, you\u2019ll have a good idea whether your horse will succeed at the trailer, what struggles he might have and particularly, what you need to work on.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order for a horse to go in a trailer, relax and maneuver calmly, they must be able to:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Yield calmly to your space and energy at the head, shoulder and hip;<\/span><\/li>
  2. Step up onto and down off of a platform, pausing between the front and hind feet;<\/span><\/li>
  3. Back down off a platform, pausing between the front and hind feet;<\/span><\/li>
  4. Turn around calmly in a small space;<\/span><\/li>
  5. Calmly walk forwards and back up through a door;<\/span><\/li>
  6. Stop and stand calmly for a period of time;<\/span><\/li>
  7. Move forward calmly as a function of your energy;<\/span><\/li>
  8. Stand calmly in a confined dimly lit space;<\/span><\/li>
  9. Walk onto, stand and walk off of a variety of different surfaces such as a mat or a tarp;\n<\/span><\/li>
  10. Relax when pressure is applied.  <\/span><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Note<\/em>: It is important that when we\u2019re using a flag or a stick, that we use that to support a positive change in your horse.  We don\u2019t use those tools to chase him – we use them to cause your horse to change his focus to you.  This creates a connection that will allow you to ask your horse to try.<\/i><\/span> Our Following Under Pressure <\/a>video series (6.5 hours of video!) is perfect to get going in this style.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When you and your horse gain proficiency at individual elements, slowly start combining them.  By focusing on these individual elements, the horse will come to believe that you are the key to their success: through repetitive positive experiences he learns that you are capable of eliminating their fears.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019ve found that the obstacle course is an excellent venue to develop leadership, communication and athleticism in our horses. The trailer is simply another obstacle and when we approach it that way, we achieve success. – Scott Phillips<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When we\u2019re ready to test our exercises at the trailer, let’s first make a few commitments to our horse:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n