I don't have a picture of trailer loading, but here is Jan doing a good send with her horse Sully at last year's Oct. Women's Camp.
Over the past few months I have helped a lot of people who are having trouble loading their horses in the trailer. I think this could be a new full time career for me. So if you are having trouble loading your horse in the trailer, I'm sure that I can help, because I always succeed without a lot of dust or fighting. I spent one summer at a ranch haltering yearlings for the first time, teaching them to lead and get in a trailer. It was a great learning experience. But I think I've even learned more in the past few months from the not so green horses.
Patience, confidence, understanding, and time are the main ingredients a human needs to gain a horse's trust in order to load him in a trailer with willingness. Without trust you will have a fearful slave instead of a willing servant. The main thing the horse needs is respect to a forward cue and confidence. Without respect and confidence you will have nothing more than frustration which may lead to injuries for either the horse, the human, or both.
The first thing that must be established before you ever approach the trailer is a good forward cue, or I call it "the send". This is not about leading the horse, but asking the horse to move forward toward a designated place with intention and energy. Until the horse will walk beside you with energy, he will walk straight ahead, and stop straight when you stop you are not prepared to ask the horse to load into a trailer. The key to easy trailer loading is good respectful forward motion from the horse upon request.
Next load your horse into as many creative things you can think of which simulate the action of trailer loading. (Over a wooden bridge forward and backwards, jumping a log or barrel, put his feet up on a pedestal or tarp, cross water, go through a small gate or door, and between trees that are close together.) Use the forward cue or "send" which you will use at the trailer. The better your horse will do all of these things the more willing, confident, and respectful your horse will be when asked to load in the trailer. Make a game of it, and have some fun!
It is essential to have the proper attitude with plenty of time when loading the horse. If you become angry, frustrated, anxious or nervous the horse will catch your spirit reflecting your emotions in his own behavior. If you are in a big hurry the horse will become even more reluctant. Remember they hate to be rushed into anything. Be very matter-of-fact, as if you are going nowhere important. Load the horse as if nothing unusual is going on. Act like he has done it well a 1000 times before. Remember to stand around and relax, because you can't rush a horse into a trailer, hoping he will be in before he knows what happened.
With prior and proper preparation trailer loading doesn't have to be a traumatic or difficult experience for either the horse or the handler. Now that you have armed yourself with a good "forward cue", lots of practice through simulations games, and the proper attitude with plenty of time, you are on your way to successful trailer loading. The next training tip we will continue this discussion with loading procedures that work when applied with feel and timing.
Remember it's not about the trailer but about the relationship and good communication.
If you need lessons on loading your horse in the trialer, call me. I am the traveling trainer. I will train you right along with your horse.
Go to www.heartinyourhand.com for more information.
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler." -- Albert Einstein
Happy Trails,
sherry
PS: Come join us at a Women's Confident Leadership Camp and learn to have even more success and fun with your horse on a beautiful working cattle ranch in the sandhills of central Nebraska.
