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Kenny Harlow Training Article
May 2005
Trailer Loading Made Safe and Easy: Part 2
*NOTE; The horse in the photos is generally pretty calm and that is why a bridle was not used during this lesson. It is very important that if there is any concern on the part of the handler that the horse may "try to ge the upper hand", a bridle with a full cheek snaffle is recommended.
It is important for your horse to lead both forward and backward correctly before you can safely load the animal on the trailer. Therefore, every trailer-loading session should always begin with a leading lesson. I always use a bridle with a full cheek snaffle bit on the horse that I plan to load. By using a bridle, I can safely increase the amount of control that I have over the horse’s movements without adding pain or pressure. I attach a cotton lead rope to the side of the bit, take the reins off, and throw the lead over the horse’s neck. (For instructions on training a horse to lead correctly, see last month’s issue of The Leadline.)
The Trailer-Loading Lesson
*As you approach the trailer, the loading lesson begins where the horse’s feet stop. Always remember that the lead rope is never used to pull the horse forward or backward.
Step 1
Ask the horse to move forward. Always keep the horse’s nose pointed to the trailer. If the horse hesitates, cue it forward by tapping it on the hip with a dressage whip. As soon as the horse steps forward-even if it’s only one step-reward or thank the horse immediately.
Step 2
Now, ask the horse to move back two steps. Again, if the horse hesitates when asked, tap the horse’s front legs (below the knee) with the dressage whip. When the horse responds correctly, reward the horse.
Step 3
Stand quietly for a few moments before asking the horse to move forward again. It is important that the horse moves forward or backward according to YOUR cue. The horse should not be moving either direction as it chooses.
*Once you have moved close enough to the trailer that the horse can put its nose inside, follow these simple rules to keep both you and your horse safe:
Stand on the ramp. That way you will appear to be the same height or higher
than the horse.
Never circle around once you have moved to the trailer. All of the horse’s
movements should be cued forward toward the trailer or backwards away from
the trailer. Circling teaches the horse that it is okay to run over you. If
you have to lead the horse away from the trailer always step into the horse,
toward your right, having the horse step back and away out of your space.
If you lead the horse with you turning toward the left, you have just told
the horse that it’s okay to step into your space and run you over.
If you can’t reach the horse’s hip with the whip, it is okay to tap the horse’s
side. Trying to reach the hip by stepping or reaching can cause you to lose
control of the front of the horse.
If the horse trailer has a center divider, stand behind the left compartment
and load the horse into the right compartment. This gives you more room to
move and makes the horse less apt to try to escape towards your side of the
trailer.
Step 4
Focus on loading the horse’s nose. It is not important that the animal be standing straight behind the trailer. If the nose is loaded, I guarantee that the rest of the horse will be within 15 feet.
Step 5
Whenever the horse’s nose is inside the trailer and you are able to simply raise the whip toward the hip (instead of tapping) for the horse to move forward, you can ask for another forward step. It is common for people to become confused as to whether to ask for forward or backward movement at this point in the lesson. The rule is, if you need to tap 4 or more times to have the horse step forward, the horse is saying that it is uncomfortable entering the trailer at this point. However, once you have asked for forward movement, you must continue to ask until you get at least one forward step.
Step 6
If the horse is hesitant to move forward during Step 5, ask the horse to move backward a couple of steps, stand quietly for a moment, then ask for forward movement again. It is not important to make up any lost ground immediately if the horse moves back away from the trailer. You must realize that until the horse is comfortable with entering the trailer, you shouldn’t think of this as a loading lesson. It must simply be a leading lesson until the horse is comfortable entering the trailer. Remember, the trailer is just an obstacle to overcome within your leading lesson.
Step 7
Once the horse has put both front feet inside the trailer, pull on its tail gently and ask it to back out of the trailer. As soon as the horse begins to move back, release the tail. It is very important not to rush this part of the loading lesson. It is here that you begin teaching the horse to unload, as well as load, in the trailer.
Step 8
Repeat Steps 5, 6 & 7 until you can successfully load the entire horse into the trailer. Then, ask it to step back off the trailer at least 10 times in a row without incident.
To contact Kenny, or to learn more about his video “Trailer Loading Made Safe and Easy, Vol. 3,” visit www.kennyharlow.com.