Trailer shy horse?

Due to my last help blog being so popular I have decided to do another one on a topic that I have recently had mentioned to me. Many horses can be trailer shy and it is a pain when they are, coming back from a competition and spending over an hour just trying to load them up is horrible (I know). Sometimes it can reach a point where you end up hacking home or having to stay overnight (if the facility will let you) just to try it all again in the morning. In this post I hope to give some helpful tips that will help your horse learn that the trailer is not something to be afraid of and make both of your experiences with travelling easier.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL HORSES ARE DIFFERENT SO THESE TECHNIQUES MAY NOT WORK FOR YOUR HORSE!

The first thing to check is that your trailer is the correct height and width for your horse as they won't go in if they are cramped and uncomfortable. Next make sure that your trailer is on a suitable surface which is flat as your horse won't load if it is slanting down or up.

What your horse is wearing is also important make sure your horse is wearing a sturdy headcollar (a leather one is good as they break under extreme pressure and can be cut in the event of an accident), a sturdy lead rope, travel boots, a tail bandage and a rug which is optional but is good for these cold months and protects against rubs from the sides of the trailer. When trailering a horse it is good to have a hay net in the trailer to keep them occupied but when getting them used to being on the trailer it is not necessary. Also ensure that you have bailing twine or some kind of quite release system tied to the metal rings in your trailer so that if your horse does panic they are able to pull away.

Tip: get a bag of your horse's favorite treats to help coax them onto the trailer.

Step 1:

The first thing you want to do when getting a horse used to a trailer is to just lead them up to it and let them have a look at it lead them all the way around it to see what sets them off (most likely going to be the ramp). Next tie them up to the side of the trailer (on bailing twine/ quick release system) and let them stand there for a bit, when going out places they will have to do this anyway so is always good to get them used to it now. If they are comfortably standing by the trailer then maybe let them stand there for a couple of minutes, if they are tense stand by them and talk to them, maybe even give them a couple of treats to tell them they are being good until they calm down then let them stand there for a couple of minutes. Afterwards give them some treats and lead them away.

Step 2:

The next step is the ramp, a lot of trailers require horses to walk backwards off of them so it is always good to practise doing this with your horse. Walk them calmly towards the ramp and get them to put their front feet on it and then let them stand there for a few seconds so they can have a look and then let them step back off it. Always reward after they do something good (it doesn't have to be with treats it can just be a pat on the neck). Once they are comfortable doing this lead them calmly towards the ramp and lead them up it. If they throw their head in the air and stop don't pull back on the lead rope as this will make them tense and cause them to run back; instead let the lead rope go slack and stand quietly in front of them, put some treats in your hand and show some to your horse, then slowly take a step back up the ramp so the treats are just out of reach of your horse. Stand like this until they step forward, if they try to look around and don't focus on you give a gentle pull on the lead rope to turn their head back to you, then take another step back and repeat this until their back feet are also on the ramp, reward them with the treats and stand there for about 10 seconds. Finally, let them step back off the ramp and give them a pat. keep repeating this step until they are comfortable standing on the ramp.

Step 3:

Many trailers also have a ramp at the side which allows your horse to walk off the front, if your trailer has one open the ramp all the way and move any barriers out the way so that you can walk straight through the trailer. If your trailer doesn't have one open the jockey door. The idea of this step is to allow as much light into the trailer as possible as one reason your horse may not be loading up is the trailer may be too dark. Once again walk your horse towards the trailer and up the ramp, once you reach the end of the ramp keep walking onto the trailer if your horse follows you great! If not, do not get frustrated instead do the same thing as before: allow the lead rope to go slack and stand in front of them with some treats (just out of reach) when they step towards you step back and keep doing this until they are fully in the trailer. Now make them stand in there for 5 seconds. If you are in a two ramped trailer lead them off the front and reward. If your are in a one ramped trailer gently push them backwards and slowly allow them to step off and reward. Keep repeating this until they are comfortable walking all the way on standing for 5-10 seconds and then coming off.

Step 4:

This step is where we put the barriers in. In a two ramped trailer put the front barrier on. Now lead your horse into the trailer and make them stand there like the step before. However, now get a helper to put the back barrier/rope on; while they are doing this keep soothing your horse then make them stand there for another 10 seconds. Now (if you are in a single ramped trailer) get your helper to undo the barrier/rope at the back and slowly back your horse off. (If you are in a double ramped trailer) get your helper to undo the barrier/rope at the front and lead your horse off. Give your horse a big reward and keep repeating until your horse is comfortable.

Step 5:

For this step load your horse up just like you did in the last step however instead of getting you helper to take the barrier off to unload your horse instead get them to put the ramp up and do it up properly. Make sure that they put it up slowly so that if your horse starts to get nervous you can lower it again. If your horse does get nervous talk to them and give them a pat to keep them calm. If you are in a trailer with two ramps and your horse is calm get your helper to put the front ramp up as well so that your horse gets the feel of the trailer and how it would be like when travelling. Now make your horse stand for 20 seconds and then drop either the front or back ramp (depending which ramp you are exiting off) and then unload your horse. reward and keep repeating until your horse is comfortable.

Step 6:

This step is where it may get a little tricky. Repeat step 5 however this time tie your horse up in the trailer and jump out of the jockey door and shut it behind you. Let your horse stand in there for 2 minutes and then go back in and unload them like you normally would. The reason this may be a little tricky is that your horse may start kicking up a fuss as you are now not with them, if they do put a haynet in with them to keep them occupied. Once they stand in there for 2 minutes quietly unload then and check that they haven't sweated up - if they do go back to step 5 to help relax them. Keep repeating and making the time longer until your are happy - I'd say maximum around 8 mins. Always reward.

Step 7:

Repeat step 6 however when you jump out of the jockey door lock it. For this step we will be travelling with the trailer so make sure everything is properly locked up and hooked up, also if your trailer has windows make sure they are open. Now get in the car and take the trailer for a short drive (about 10 mins) and then return back. Unload your horse and check that they haven't sweated up if they have return to step 6. Reward and finish there. Each time make the journey slightly longer.

Step 8:

This is the final step, find an equestrian centre that is close enough that you can hack to and load your horse up onto the trailer and travel there, maybe do a little competition or hire out the arena so you can have a bit of fun and then try and loading your horse back up. What's difficult is that it is a new environment so your horse may be hesitant to load up. The key is to stay calm and remember everything you have done with them previously and keep going until you load them up. If you really cannot load them up then you should be able to hack home as you chose a centre in hacking distance and work on it again at home until they are confident and they try again.

Overall, getting a horse comfortable with loading takes a lot of time and patience it is important to not get stressed and yell at your horse as this will just put them back.

Key tips:

- If your horse is struggling with one of the steps go back a step and work on that a bit longer

- Not all horses like trailers and some may be perfectly fine loading onto a horse box so maybe hire out transport and see what suits your horse best.

- If you are struggling to load your horse try loading them in their bridle and then changing them into their head collar in the trailer.

- If your horse is nervous try using a poll guard for extra protection

Safety:

- Always wear a helmet

- Always ensure you can get out of the way if your horse freaks out whether this is out of the jockey door or ramp etc. as horses can be very unpredictable

- Do not overfeed your horse as a reward (not too many treats) a fuss is just as effective to let them know they did well

- When tying your horse up always make sure it is to bailing twine or a quick release system.

- Make sure your horse is in a leather head collar or a good quality nylon headcollar

- Use a sturdy lead rope

- Use travel boots and a tail bandage

- Wear suitable footwear

- Always have a helper on hand

- Ensure there are no sharp objects around

This blog can also be used for lorries.

Thank you for reading and I hope this blog helped. Make sure you leave a like so know to more of these blogs and subscribe to be notified when make a new post.

Liv and Buddy