Small Steps Forward: How trailer loading training makes everything better for you and your horse

 by Mary Gallagher

I have always invested a great deal of time in training my horses for trailer loading. And I mean investment…a horse that loads and unloads confidently and calmly, ready to travel, is a horse that is a great deal calmer and more confident in general. I use principles I’ve developed over the years in trailer loading training every day in my training sessions, with a wide array of horses, whether they get trailered or not.

The key to successful training for trailer loading (that applies to every interaction with your horse) is remembering and advancing in a positive progression. Before starting your session, remember where you were the last time and advance in some small way from there to end the new session.

The Ins and Outs of Trailer Loading

by Mary Gallagher

Trailer loading—a task that needs a lot of practice—was the theme of last Friday’s Ground Work class. Getting a horse to be okay at loading into  a scary cave on wheels is a challenge for the horse and handler. We warmed up using our foundational skills to establish communication cooperation and confidence in our horse partner. We did this through exercises like front end and hindquarter yields as well as stepping over and stopping over a pole going forwards and backwards.