How to Safely Load, Unload, and Tie Your Horse in a Trailer
Michelle DrumIf you’re new to traveling with horses, it can be overwhelming. Most horses don’t enjoy being in trailers, which can make it difficult when it comes time to load them. Some horses may refuse to enter the trailer or get spooked once they’re inside, so it’s important to know how to load as safely as possible. Learning to load, unload, and tie your horse in a trailer takes practice, patience, and consistent training. We’ve partnered with our friends at Ken Feagin Truck & Trailer to walk you through loading, unloading, and tying your horse in your trailer, so you can approach trailering with caution and confidence.
Considerations before loading your horse
Knowing what to expect will keep you and your horse safe, prevent frustration, and ease the trailering process. Before you hit the road, here are several things to consider when loading your horse.
Choose the right type of trailer
Your horse trailer’s weight, type, and size will affect the way you load and unload your horse and how many horses you can load. For example, depending on the amount of space in your trailer, you may need to back your horse out instead of having them turn around to walk forward out of the trailer. Familiarize yourself with your horse trailer’s size and features before traveling so you know exactly how to approach loading and unloading when the time comes.
If you’re looking for the perfect horse trailer for your horse or horses, look no further than Ken Feagin Truck & Trailer. They have a great selection of straight-load, slant-load, bumper-pull, stock, and gooseneck trailers to choose from, so you’ll be sure to find one that’s just right for you and your horse.
Allow time to practice
Don’t wait until it’s time to go to try loading your horse. If your horse senses that you feel rushed, he will panic as well. Practice loading and unloading ahead of time to smooth out any issues in the process, especially if your horse is new to trailering. If you’re taking a longer trip with a horse that’s not used to riding, you may want to take him on a shorter practice trip to help him acclimate to the trailer.
Fill a hay bag inside the trailer
To make your horse feel at home in the trailer, hang a hay bag in an easily accessible spot and keep it filled. This will encourage your horse to enter the trailer and keep him entertained on the drive.
Be aware of safety measures
If it’s your first time loading a horse in a trailer, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t walk behind your horse. When walking your horse onto the trailer, walk next to, not behind, your horse to avoid getting kicked.
- Hook the trailer up first. A horse’s weight could move a trailer that’s not hooked up to the tow vehicle, which could be dangerous for you, your horse, and others nearby.
- Use a trailer tie and breakaway halter. This setup allows your horse to free himself or pull back without injuring his neck.
- Close the panel before tying your horse in. This way, your horse cannot back up and break the trailer tie or get stuck if he panics.
- Keep trailer windows closed while driving. Opening the windows can make the trailer seem roomier, encouraging your horse to enter. But always close the windows before you leave to prevent your horse from getting stuck or sticking his head out the window, which could cause injury.
Remember these safety measures when loading your horse to prevent injuries to yourself or your horse.
Use protective gear
Try putting your horse in protective gear for shipping. Shipping boots, a head bumper, a tail cover, a shipping halter, or bar covers improve your horse’s comfort in the trailer. Some horses may express discomfort with certain gear, so watch for your horse’s reaction, and avoid excessive gear when shipping in hot weather to prevent overheating.
The Farm House has all the horse trailer supplies you need to keep your horse safe and comfortable in the trailer.
How to load your horse in a trailer
With the right knowledge and preparation, loading your horse in a trailer becomes a simple routine task. Follow these steps for a painless loading experience:
- Pull the dividers to the side, open the windows, and lower the ramp.
- Walk your horse into the trailer.
- Close the divider.
- Secure your horse into the trailer with a trailer tie, and detach the lead rope.
- Close the back of the trailer and any drop-down windows. Keep sliding windows open for ventilation in warmer months.
Note that when using a straight load trailer, the horse should be loaded on the driver’s side. Most paved roadways are crowned toward the middle of the roadway, so hauling a single horse on the left side helps keep the load balanced. If you’re hauling one horse in a slant load, place the horse in the first shipping stall, closest to the tow vehicle.
What to do if you have a difficult horse
Sometimes, horses refuse to load. If your horse is known to be difficult, it will take extra training and preparation to get him to load without any problems. Here are a few things you can try if your horse is refusing the trailer:
- Ask for help. The process may go smoother with help from a friend who has experience loading horses.
- Show your horse an example. Have a horse who’s a good shipper show your horse how it’s done. This may help ease your horse’s fears associated with the trailer.
- Practice groundwork. If your horse is not well-trained, do some simple groundwork exercises, and have your horse work through tight obstacles to get him used to the trailer’s tight quarters.
- Face the trailer. Don’t allow your horse to turn away from the trailer. Be patient but firm when asking a difficult horse to load.
- Make the trailer comfortable. Provide hay, bedding, and ample airflow to create a comfortable shipping experience for your horse. Open windows and doorways for natural light to make the trailer look more inviting.
- Train consistently. Horses learn best from consistent teaching, so practice loading with your horse several times close to when you plan to leave.
As your horse gets used to trailering, he will pick up good habits that will make it easier each time you travel. Be encouraging as your horse learns so that he associates trailering with a positive experience.
How to tie your horse in a trailer
There are a couple of options when tying your horse in a trailer. Using a trailer tie is the easiest way to secure your horse in the trailer since it is already the correct length, but you can also use a lead rope and tie a quick-release knot. The most important thing to remember when tying your horse in a trailer is to ensure the tie will release if your horse pulls away.
To secure your horse with a trailer tie, follow these steps:
- Close the divider before tying your horse in.
- Attach the trailer tie to your horse’s breakaway halter.
- Detach the lead rope.
If you decide to use a lead rope to tie your horse in, follow these steps:
- Put the lead rope through the hook.
- Lock the divider in place.
- Tie the lead rope to the hook using a quick-release knot.
- Leave two or three feet of slack.
No matter which method you choose, make sure the horse is tied to something that’s sturdy and above his withers height to avoid neck injuries if he pulls back.
How to unload your horse from a trailer
Now for the easy part! Your horse will be happy to have a break from balancing in the trailer. For a safe unloading process, follow these steps:
- Attach the lead rope.
- Detach the trailer tie.
- Open the divider.
- Depending on the trailer, turn your horse around or walk your horse backward until he reaches the edge.
- Step off the trailer with the horse.
Note that if your horse trailer does not have a ramp, your horse may be hesitant to step down backward. To help with this, have your horse practice stepping on and off of a ledge as you prepare for trailering.
Trailering is a necessary skill for any horse. Whether you’re loading for a visit to the vet or a trip to a show, it’s important to take your time, exercise caution, and remain calm. Some horses may need to practice loading and unloading more than others, but with the proper training and encouragement, your horse can be a shipping pro in no time!
Looking for the right horse trailer for you and your horse? Ken Feagin and his team are friendly, knowledgeable, and always happy to help. Give them a call or stop by to see their horse trailer selection in Campobello, SC!
You might also like: