Trailer Loading A well-lit trailer, sun or artificial light can aid in loading. A dark trailer is scary, especially the first time. With a new trailer, add some horse smells i.e. manure, hay, tack, blankets etc. Adequate headroom is of utmost importance. Be fair. Measure the horse and trailer before purchasing the wrong one. Drive your horse over stacked railroad ties to teach to step-up into the trailer. One foot solidly on a loading ramp leads to a loaded horse, with patience. Better to load a horse part way the first time than all the way in. Use baby steps. Once loaded, be certain the horse understands he can move his feet. A horse well prepared to load will save hours, headaches, and vet bills in the future, let alone embarrassment. Do a solid assessment of your trailer’s danger zones. Sharp objects, hoof catchers, etc. Be careful where you tie your horse to the trailer. Are there any sharp objects nearby? Always double check all your hook-ups, mechanical, electrical, and tires before departing. You cannot be too careful. Take a moment to think carefully before unloading a horse. I prefer this sequence for unloading- butt bar, untie lead, open door. If the door is opened before untying the horse, some horse will try to back out and freak out when they feel tied in. Ride in the back of the trailer to see/feel what the horse experiences. Tap the brake lightly before a stop or turn. This allows the horse to prepare. It never hurts to have the horses favorite food in the trailer when they load up. Slant loads stress horses less than straight loads. It’s the way they balance naturally in an open stock trailer. Be able to lead or drive your horse into the trailer. It’s much safer to drive the horse in. (Keeps your Sunday shoes cleaner as well.) horsewhisperer/tips.htm
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:58:00 +0000
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