| If there is an art to getting horses to load in a trailer, | | | | between you and a fence. As he goes back and forth |
| then this it. | | | | make the space between you and the fence smaller. |
| The first thing that must happen is communication | | | | Be careful not to get stepped on. |
| between the horse and his handler. The horse must | | | | Now that he's good at that, you take him by the trailer. |
| understand what is required of him and the handler | | | | You open the door and let him sniff it. Then you step |
| must make it easy to understand. | | | | back and face your horse. You lunge him left and right |
| Thus, you must start by getting the horse to move | | | | in front of the trailer while he passes back and forth |
| forward in either direction. After a direction is | | | | by the opening. |
| established then get him moving in the opposite | | | | After all this pointing and sending your horse now |
| direction. A round pen is excellent for this purpose. | | | | knows what you want. You have communicated to |
| When the horse gets good at moving both directions | | | | him when you point left that he is to move left and so |
| then it's time to hook a lead rope to his halter and lunge | | | | on. |
| him left and right. For instance, when you point left, the | | | | The next step is to face him to the trailer. With his |
| horse must know to go to your left. And vice versa | | | | head facing into the trailer and you standing on his left |
| for going right. | | | | side you then send (point) him into the trailer. |
| The final result should look like this. You're holding the | | | | Some horses will simply jump right in the trailer where |
| lead rope while facing your horse. As you hold the lead | | | | others may take more work. |
| rope in your right hand, you hook the middle of the lead | | | | If your horse doesn't go in after pointing and coaxing |
| rope with your left thumb. Lift it up and point to the left. | | | | then take him away from the trailer and make him |
| Your horse, now knowing what to do, immediately | | | | work. Now you want to convey the idea that being in |
| goes to your left. After a circle or two you switch | | | | the trailer means he can relax. Being outside the trailer |
| hands and get the horse to go to your right. | | | | means he has to work hard. Eventually, he'll catch on. |
| When he gets good at that, then send (lunge) him | | | | Once you have him in the trailer, pet him and let him |
| through gate openings, barn door openings, etc. Also, | | | | relax. Talk to him. Let him know how good he did. |
| lunge him in smaller spaces to help him deal with his | | | | Obviously, getting a horse to load in a trailer isn't rocket |
| natural claustrophobia. You can do this by lunging him | | | | science. But you can do it. |