How to Load a Scared Horse Into Your Trailer

You hope it never happens to you, but the odds aren't in your favor. Animals are unpredictable and eventually you are bound to encounter the frustrating experience of trying to persuade a scared horse into the horse trailer. You can't get him inside using brute force, so you'll need another approach. Below we cover some tried and true strategies for loading a scared animal into the horse trailer. If you want more tips or want to check out horse trailers for sale, visit True Value Trailers & Power Equipment. We are a horse trailer dealer in Penrose and Florence, Colorado. We also proudly serve those in Pueblo and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Make the Horse Trailer Inviting

You wouldn't want to step into a dark, smelly place. Why would your horse? Set yourself up for success by making the horse trailer as welcoming as possible. Keep the place looking and smelling clean. Make sure there is plenty of light. Be intentional about buying spacious horse trailers. Taking these few preliminary steps can make a world of difference in your loading experience.

Build Comfort with the Horse Trailer

Before you ask your horse to step into the horse trailer, you'll want to spend some time establishing the horse trailer area as a relaxing place. Allow your horse to freely roam around the area and get relaxed. Let her approach the horse trailer on her own time and let her walk away on her own time. This helps her become familiar with the horse trailer and build up a comfort level so that it won't seem as such a scary place to step inside.

Enlist His Friend

Horses are social creatures. Use this to your advantage. Load the scared horse's friend first to show him that it's okay. When he sees his friend relaxed and not bothered by the loading process, it'll help him relax and be more willing to step inside.

Use a Reward

Sometimes all your animal needs is a little motivation. Hold a treat in your hand and let her smell it. This will hopefully get her interested. Then either keep the treat in your hand as you enter the horse trailer or place the treat somewhere inside. Hopefully she will then willingly step inside in pursuit of the treat.

You may need to reward small steps on the way into the horse trailer. If she sticks her head inside, give her a treat. If she steps one foot in, give her a treat. Rewarding the behavior leading up to entering the horse trailer can help speed the process along and influence her to step inside willingly and without stress.

Practice Entering and Leaving

You'll want your horse to know that the horse trailer experience is temporary. An easy way to establish this is to ask him to enter, then ask him to leave. Do this multiple times and slowly build up the time that he is in the trailer. Focus on removing him before he gets stressed. This will help teach him that the trailer is temporary and help build a bank of positive experiences inside the trailer, which helps increase the chance he will have a future smooth loading experience.

We hope you found this guide helpful. For more strategies or to check out horse trailers for sale, visit True Value Trailers & Power Equipment. Our expert staff is happy to help you with whatever you need, from answering your questions to providing advice on the best horse trailers to suit your needs. We are a horse trailer dealer located in Florence and Penrose, Colorado. We also proudly serve those in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colorado.