Trailer Loading : Sending vs Directing

Here are a few tips to make trailer loading your horse a little easier and safer. If your horse has trailer loading problems, we can help you at one of our live events, or through your very own Plan 4 Progress.

[@jw-w99]

Excellent, well explained, one of the best ones I have seen.

[@tiajewels2820]

Beautiful horse!

[@loredelore7286]

Excellent technique.

[@brendareed8412]

I like work from both sides. Make your horse "ambidextrous." :)

[@jessicachristine7006]

What do you recommend for a horse that only loads his front feet? I can try "making some noise" behind him with a stick & flag, but he doesn't go any further in. He will offer to get in almost every time I send him, but he doesn't pick up his back feet.

[@CarterRanchHorse]

When a horse goes partially on, we think of it as being partially committed. Think about making the trailer the sweet spot. There are a lot of skills you can make progress with away from the trailer, then make your way back to the trailer and send your horse on again, remember the trailer is a sweet spot. If he only gets on with two feet, don't worry, back him out and try it all again, looking for more progress each time. Letting them come off and then back on gives them confidence that they can be more committed with more of their body. The key is to stay progressive.

[@Inca1122]

I’m having this same issue

[@Inca1122]

If they only get 2 feet in, how soon do you back them out to move their feet and make them realize the trailer is the sweet spot. This by far is the way I wanna do it. I definitely do not want to pull mine in

[@kfelts4638]

What do you do when they get in and immediately turn around. He doesn’t bolt out, but turns to face the back. It requires that I turn him completely around to face where the tie strap is.

[@lisahall9169]

My horse don’t liked loading in a two horse trailer I let my sister & husband be mean to her because they said she had a problem pulling back & sullying her husband took a whip & beat her & she got her eye busted up legs skin up pulling her muscle in right leg they finally got her too load then they wanted me to load her so I did she load them back out as soon as she load then she wouldn’t load anymore so they started whipping on her & she started pulling back & getting herself in a pickle so I told them that was enough they was not doing that to my horse anymore so how do I get this horse to load in a trailer again I finally earn her trust back & we bond together great she the love of my life but I got to get her to load & she always pulling back my sister said this is a bad habit she pick up in life she broke her lead rope & halter by pulling back & she pulled back in the trailer too please help

[@tracmccoy2127]

How do u keep them on once they load?

[@apartmentsoffice4820]

What can you do for a non reactive horse that doesn’t want to move with a crop or a flag ..

[@tiajewels2820]

While training, patience and lots of repetition, horse needs to feel comfortable.

[@CarterRanchHorse]

We allow them to come off and then re-send them. The reason they panic to get off, is that they don't trust that they can.

[@CarterRanchHorse]

You can use a different tool such as your lead rope or stick and string.

[@alisonhiten2485]

Why only one door open

[@ThePinkwelderwife]

I would bet the other door goes to the tack compartment. Thats how my trailer is built.

[@hm-2463]

I dont think horse likes that, I mean it’s same as trapping that horse

[@parkerhorton8318]

Shut up

[@hm-2463]

@@parkerhorton8318
I expressed my opinion .-.