Now that the show season is underway, how many of you are getting up extra early just to give you and your horse a few extra hours for trailer loading? How many of you are leaving your horse trailer out in the pasture so your horse gets used to the trailer only to find out he goes in and out on his own, but not for you when you ask him to? You are not alone. This is a common issue horses and their owners frequently encounter, so let me help you solve this problem. First, when it's time to train your horse to trailer load it should be you and him. You do not need a helper. I know from experience people want to "help", but the use of a butt rope or trying to winch him in or worse push/drag in the horse will not work. If it does happen to work, it’s invading one of three rules of horse training which are:
A lot of people don’t realize that when a horse won’t willingly walk into a trailer, it’s usually because they do not have a good "go forward cue". Occasionally there are horses out there that have had a bad experience, but most of the time they do not have the proper 'cue'. That’s why he’s not loading. If your horse has a good go forward cue your horse will load on ANY trailer, regardless of the inside color or if it’s a step up or ramp style trailer....he'll also cross object for you too!!!
All you need for this lesson is a 4 foot dressage whip, a halter with cotton lead rope, or a bridle with a full cheek snaffle. You are going to start this lesson away from the trailer. Start off by standing beside you horse, not in front of him where you may get hurt (Rule #1). You are going to begin by taping his hip. The taps should start slow and easy. When your horse makes a forward action, release the tapping. (Even if it’s not a step at first, a lean forward should be rewarded too.) Releasing the tapping is your way of telling him yes. There are six different direction your horse can go, (up, down, left, right, forward or backward) and you release when he goes forward. This is so important. He is going to look for the release and want to figure out how he can get it. As your horse learns that you stop tapping when he goes forward, he will respond quicker and lighter. If your horse doesn’t move when you begin tapping, tap a little harder and faster, until his energy goes forward. You want to keep your horse calm, so take your time, and BE CONSISTENT. When you feel your horse is consistently going forward when you ask, you can take him to the back of the trailer.
It is important you keep your horse’s nose pointed to the trailer, even if his body ends up offset. Please, try not to do a circle to line him back up-in our minds we say "do a circle, so he's straight again". In your horses mind, he is saying, "Okay, when my owner circles me, WOW, there is an escape route!" And usually after a couple of times, your horse begins to run thru you. So just concentrate on keeping his nose pointed straight. Begin to ask your horse to go forward. We are not looking to get the horse all the way into the trailer, let's just start with ONE foot. Ask your horse to put one foot in, by using your new installed "button" you just got done putting on that hip and then after the foot goes in, take the foot out. This way, not only are you teaching your horse to load, but you are also teaching him to UNLOAD.
After he is consistent about taking one foot in and out calmly, you can begin to ask for 2, 3, and then 4 (Remember...repeat ion) **Troubleshooting** If you ask your horse to go forward into the trailer and he goes back, continue the tapping harder and faster until he makes a forward motion. Keep in mind; horses HAVE to make mistakes in order to learn. Use his mistake to build a better learning session. If he makes a mistake and you immediately correct him, it will make your cue even BETTER. You want to load and unload your horse several times and most importantly, you want him calm. Don't forget to praise your horse when he makes the correct movement. This is also important. It would be like having a child who studies really hard for their test on Friday getting an A+, and no one ever telling them "Good Job!". I bet for the next test that child will not want to try as hard. It’s the same thing with your horse. Let him know he is doing a good job.
Remember, we have horses because we like them. You will see after teaching your horse this exercise or any exercise, he will be happier. All horses are happier when they understand and so are we! You can get your horse to do anything! It is knowing how to ask and how to release. Any horse is trainable, regardless of age, past experiences, or their job in life. Horse training is a piece of cake!!! And if you own a horse, or if you handle a horse, guess what? You are a horse trainer. So start right now, be consistent with your horse, and he will be consistent with you.