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Horse Problem Questions & Answers

Horse Trailering Problem

" It's been a fight, and a battle to load him..."

Hi Frank

My name is Lindsay Shafer and I'm from Stonington, CT. I'm writing to you concerning a problem with my 12 y/o Thoroughbred (off the track). I've had Logan for 5 years and we compete regularly on the jumper circuit in New England. When we got him he wasn't fond of loading onto a trailer, we worked with him, feeding him lunch and dinner on it every day and eventually he became a pro. For the next 4 years, everything ran smoothly.

But last summer we decided to get a new trailer. In the process of ordering the new one, we were leaving for a show, and were given a very narrow loaner trailer. Logan went to load on it, hit his head, and hasn't been the same since. We got our old trailer back for the show, and now have our new one. It's been a fight, and a battle to load him to the few shows we did last summer. We've needed a gang of people. We've tried almost every method I've heard of. Not feeding him, turning him out w/ the trailer, putting our other horse on the trailer first, being patient, getting after him... etc.

Well, it's a new year, and the battle has begun again. I'm hoping that eventually we can conquer this trailering problem. My horse is sincerely afraid of something, he shakes and he's by absolutely no means a " nasty" horse.

I've very open to any suggestions you can offer me, as well as any people that you may think I could get in touch with. Do you know of anyone in this area who can help me conquer this problem? My trainers and horse acquaintances have been a great help to get Logan on the trailer, but I think it's time to get over this for good.

I'm 20 years old, I've been riding horses for 18 years. I know a mean horse when I see one, and Logan isn't doing this to be nasty. I have my opinions on why he does this, others have theirs. Interested in hearing any suggestions you have... thanks for your time.

Sincerely,
Lindsay Shafer

Dear Lindsay:

This situation is not uncommon. I deal with similar issues on a regular basis and that is exactly why I produced my Trailer Loading video. Now I have to assume that the new trailer has plenty of head room, is well lit, and is easy to enter. That being the case, review the techniques in my video and help your horse find that a trailer is again a nice place to be. The outside will become uncomfortable the inside comfortable. Before long and with some patience, your TB will WANT TO BE THERE. Just like a dog, he'll want to get into the trailer for the next big adventure. In addition to my trailer loading video I would strongly suggest my foundation video, Discover the Horse You Never Knew, which sets the stage for all successful horse/human interaction. It is absolutely the place to start with all horses. When I have a trailer loading problem, I do my steps (as described in my Discover video) and usually the horse walks right in! These 7 steps are that powerful. Will send our welcome response and at some point our most recent newsletter.

Good luck, be safe, and happy trails!
Frank Bell

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