Loading a horse on trailer rides can be a nerve-wracking experience if you’re not adequately prepared. The trailer ride can be difficult and dangerous if your horse is stressed or not loaded correctly. So, how do you get your horse on the trailer without stressing them out, and how can you ensure they are on securely? In this blog, we’ll go over some tips for loading your horse on trailer rides, so whether you’re taking them to a competition, the vet, or relocating them to a new stable, the trip will be a breeze.
Do Horses Like Riding in Trailers?
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Horses do not like riding in trailers. The small, enclosed, and moving space with limited visibility can be stressful and unfamiliar, making your horses anxious and unhappy. However, there are ways you can gradually acclimate them to the experience so that they become more comfortable riding in the trailer.
How To Prepare Your Horse for Trailering
The most important part of the loading process is ensuring that your horse is prepared to get on the trailer. There are a few key things you can do to make the experience less stressful for them, including:
Familiarize Your Horse With The Trailer
The best way to make your horse feel less stressed is to allow the time to become familiar with the trailer. Introduce it gradually. Start by letting them explore the trailer themselves without feeling pressured. Let them sniff it and check out the space to reduce fear. Before you embark on your trip, practice walking them in and out of the trailer, giving them time to get used to it. Finally, reward your horse with treats or praise when they approach the trailer calmly, fostering a positive association with trailering.
Check The Trailer’s Condition
Getting inside a small enclosed space can be scary, so ensuring the trailer is safe and in good condition creates a more welcoming environment for your horses. Inspect the trailer before loading. Make sure that it is clean, well-ventilated, and free of any potential hazards like sharp edges. Opt for sturdy, non-slip flooring for the trailer so your horses can get in more securely. Also, check all safety equipment. You want all safety ties, dividers, and latches to function correctly so your horse remains safe during transit.
Train Your Horse to Load Calmly
As mentioned earlier, before taking your horse on their first trailer trip, training them to load and unload will ensure that the trip goes more smoothly. When training your horse to get on the trailer, remain calm and approach the trailer confidently. Your horse can sense tension, so they will stay relaxed and secure if you remain calm. Always lead with patience. If you try to rush them or place too much pressure on them, they will resist getting onto the trailer even more. Train them in a quiet environment so they don’t get distracted or spooked during the loading process.
Ensure Your Horse’s Comfort
Part of making them feel comfortable is creating a more welcoming environment inside the trailer. This includes adding soft, absorbent bedding to the trailer floor, offering them hay and water, and monitoring the trailer temperature so they don’t get overheated or become too cold.
Practice Safe Driving
When your horses are on the trailer, be sure to drive safely. They can easily lose their balance in a moving trailer, so avoid sharp turns, sudden stops, or quick acceleration. If you have a particularly long journey ahead of you, such as an out-of-state competition, take regular breaks to get them water and allow them time to move around more freely. If you need help towing a trailer, read our guide on trailer safety to ensure a smooth haul.
Unload Safely
Practice the same level of caution when unloading your horses from the trailer. Unload them slowly. Don’t let them rush out of the trailer. After they leave the trailer, check for signs of stress, overheating, or discomfort and take the proper measures to get them feeling better. Follow these trailer safety tips to ensure your horse is loaded and unloaded safely.
Picking The Right Trailer For Your Horses
When transporting horses, you want to ensure you have the right trailer. Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a trailer for your horses:
What is a Trailer for Horses Called?
Trailers for horses are typically called horse trailers. Usually, these are enclosed trailers designed with features specifically for transporting horses or other livestock. You’ll want to ensure the trailer provides proper ventilation, has safety features like dividers, tie rings, and non-slip flooring and is a safe and spacious environment to transport horses.
Best Types of Horse Trailers
The best type of trailer for transporting horses will depend on the number of horses you plan to transport, the trip’s distance, and your horse’s needs. Here are some common trailer types that are highly regarded for their safety, comfort, and durability:
- Bumper Pull Horse Trailers
These are best if you only transport one or two horses and travel a shorter distance. This trailer model is easy to maneuver and tow with standard vehicles like SUVs or trucks and is more affordable and accessible for individual horse owners. There are better options if you plan to go on a more extended trip or carry more horses.
- Gooseneck Horse Trailers
Gooseneck trailers are better for carrying 3 or more horses or taking your horses on longer trips. They offer added stability, better weight distribution, and extra space for storage and individual stalls. Since they require a gooseneck hitch, they may be more expensive than a bumper-pull horse trailer.
- Slant Load Trailers
This option suits horses who are used to traveling in confined spaces and those looking to maximize their trailer space. In this trailer, horses stand at an angle, which maximizes space and makes loading multiple horses easier. Slant load trailers often include dividers to keep horses separated and more secure. However, this option is not great for horses that are not used to getting on trailers and can make them aggravated or upset as it provides them with less room to spread their legs and balance.
- Straight Load Trailers
This offers plenty of space for the horses to stand straight and balance more easily than the slant load version. It also makes the loading and unloading process more manageable. While it uses space less efficiently than the slant load option, it may be a better choice for horses not used to traveling in a confined space.
FAQs About Loading A Horse on Trailer Rides
How Long Can Horses Be on a Trailer?
The exact amount of time a horse can spend on a trailer will depend on their comfort, the trailer conditions, the distance you plan to travel, and how often you give them breaks. They should be fine for a 1-2 hour trip so long as they are properly loaded and the trailer is comfortable. For a 2-6 hour trip, plan to stop and give them a break every 2-3 hours. For any trips longer than 6 hours, you should unload your horses every 4-6 hours to give them a chance to rest, hydrate, and graze. Plan for overnight stops if you’re planning a trip longer than that or that involves overnight travel. Prolonged travel without proper breaks can cause stress, dehydration, and potential health issues like colic.
What is the Proper Way to Load a Horse Into a Trailer?
The proper way to load a horse into a trailer involves practicing patience, remaining calm, and using the right techniques and proper training to make it a safe and stress-free experience for you and your horse. By following the tips outlined above, you can not only load your horse onto the trailer easily but also ensure that it is done correctly.
How Do You Get a Stubborn Horse to Load in a Trailer?
Stubborn horses require extra patience to get them loaded onto the trailer. Even if they are stressed and refusing to get on, you must remain calm and composed as they can sense your emotions. Take as much time as they need to get the acclimated. Practice loading them on and off the trailer well before your tip so they have enough time to get used to it. Reward them with treats, verbal praise, or pats so that they have positive associations with the loading process.
Where to Put License Plate on a Horse Trailer?
To comply with local laws, the license plate must be visible. It should be placed on the back of the horse trailer, centered, or to the right side of the rear door or panel. Since it must be visible, make sure that lights, mud flaps, or other accessories do not obstruct it. The plate should be mounted between 12 to 60 inches from the ground, although some local regulations may have different requirements regarding height. Other localities require plate lights, so always check with your local officials.
Need Help Finding A Trailer?
Four Winds Trailers offers a vast selection of trailers and trailer parts, so if you need help finding anything trailer-related, we’ve got you covered! Check out our trailer options below, or contact us to help determine which trailer is right for you!