trailer loading help, safe trailer loading, how to load a trailer safely, safe horse trailer loading, how to load a horse safely into a trailer, horse trailer loading help, horse trailer loading tips
Your tow vehicle has been serviced.
You’ve inspected your tow vehicle,
hitch, and trailer using a thorough
checklist. You’ve packed all your tack
and equipment. You’ve prepared your
horse, which includes wrapping his
legs. Finally, it’s time to load!
Before continuing, take a moment to
relax, concentrate, and focus. You’re in
a vulnerable position, because you’re
working near or behind your horse’s
hind legs while asking him to walk
forward into a strange environment.
Horror stories abound: A handler
was knocked out when a horse kicked
the ramp down before he latched it; a
woman was killed when a horse kicked
her in the head while she stooped
over to pick up debris from the ramp;
a horse had to be put down when he
scrambled out the back and slid under
a step-up trailer.
To help prevent such accidents, train
your horse to load easily, follow basic
safety rules, have the right trailer, and
pay attention.
Well before you leave, open the
trailer’s windows and doors to ventilate,
especially if it’s a hot day. Stand
back, and view the trailer’s rear
entrance from the horse’s point of
view. Is it dark and scary, or light
and airy? Is there anything that
might look threatening? Fix any
problems with sight, sound, smell,
or feel before you load.
Here are some tips and suggestions
on how to load with different
styles of rear entrances.
step-ups: With a step-up entry
(full-height rear doors without a
ramp or Dutch doors; for a photo
USRider ® Equestrian Motor Plan
Hitch Up! Magazine • Fall 2008
Hauling Hints BY Tom AND NEvA SCHEvE
Load with Less Risk
of one model, see page 10), your horse
could stumble and slide under the rear
of the trailer. If you have a straight-load
trailer, get your horse in and latched
quickly, while avoiding standing behind
him in case he decides to suddenly
back off (and possibly slip).
If you have a slant load-trailer, turn
your horse around, and lead him out
frontward, or take him out a sideunload
ramp, if available.
Load and unload on dry, flat ground
where your horse has good footing.
Avoid wet grass, concrete, blacktop,
gravel, and loose sand or dirt, which
can be slippery.
ramps: Any ramp-style trailer will
eliminate the possibility of your horse
slipping under the rear of the trailer
when backing out. However, if the ramp
is steep, your horse can slip on it. Try
to keep manure and urine off the ramp
before loading or unloading your horse.
If he defecates or urinates on the ramp,
Here are some tips on how to safely load
with ramp-load trailer models. Click photos.
sweep it off before you raise the ramp,
while staying well clear of his back legs.
NOTE: For more specifics on rampstyle
trailers, click on the photos below.
Finally, keep in mind that horses
react rather than respond. They have a
flight response to threats, making them
react instantly. With the right training
on your horse, good focus, awareness,
and the right trailer, you can raise your
comfort level and free yourself from
the stress that often comes with loading
and unloading. USR
Tom and Neva Scheve own EquiSpirit
Trailers. They’ve written three books
on horse trailers, including the nationally
recognized textbook The Complete
Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and
Servicing a Horse Trailer. They reside
in Southern Pines, North Carolina. For
more information, call (877) 575-1771,
send an e-mail to tom@equispirit.com,
or visit www.equispirit.com
21 e-MaiL Us senD to
a frienD sUbscribe
now FREE! retUrn to
HoMe page
Safety NewS MeMbeR StoRy tRaileR CliNiC MR. tRUCK Destinations oN-tHe-go geaR HaULing HaUliNg Hints HiNtS USR CoMMUNity USR PRogRaMS
To view a Ceros magazine you need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser and have the flash player 8 or higher installed. To install the latest flash player, click the icon above, install the flash plugin and then click here to refresh this page.