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We currently have five horses in our care. Two of them have been experiencing serious problems with loading. The first horse’s issues affected my competition schedule and left me even more exhausted than I already was. I had no idea I would have to face such significant challenges. At that time, I was very young, and the people around me did not have any effective tools beyond what we were already using. Eventually, another horse began to show hesitation as well. One day, after spending nearly two hours trying to load it, I made the decision that I no longer wanted to continue down this path. This choice led both of us to Poland. I’ll provide more details on that later.
Why is it important for your horse to load easily into a trailer?
If this is your first experience with horses, it’s important to learn how to load your new horse onto a trailer properly. Even if you don’t plan to travel or compete, being able to load your horse easily and stress-free is crucial. I’ve learned that good loading practices aren’t just a matter of an “extra skill”; they are essential for your horse’s safety and well-being.
I once had an old mare who was my favorite and well-loved by the whole family. One night, she became sick, and since our farm is quite a distance away, we needed to take her to a specialized hospital for urgent surgery. During our journey, we encountered a stranger who offered us help. However, one day while traveling, her leg began to hurt again. She required a specialist to perform two surgeries on her leg to save it. Thankfully, her remarkable traveling skills ultimately saved her life.
### Step-by-Step Guide to Loading a Horse **
Loading a horse can be a challenging experience. It is important to have strong hands, be patient, and remain confident. With practice, the process becomes easier. To ensure loading is easy and safe, you need to build trust with your horse.
1. Prepare the Trailer** –
Ensure that the trailer is securely attached to the vehicle.
2. Inspect the trailer carefully to make sure it is clean and free of any sharp objects or debris that could harm the horse.
3. Keep your horse close to you to help him feel confident and secure. When leading your horse towards the trailer, if he seems nervous, stay calm. Walk your horse around the trailer to help reduce his fear.
4. Enter the trailer with complete peace of mind; there’s nothing to fear.
5. Always give your horse your full attention when loading him into the trailer. If he seems to be struggling, use calming methods to help him relax before continuing with the loading process. Some trainers use “butt ropes” behind the horse to prevent him from backing out of the trailer. However, this approach can cause panic and anxiety and is not recommended. You can also try placing food, such as carrots or apple slices, just out of reach to encourage the horse to enter the trailer.
6. After loading the horse into the trailer, speak to it, move to the back, and secure the tail strap. Once it is secure, raise the tailgate and make sure the horse is properly tied inside.
