Q: Six months ago, I bought a 4-year-old Appaloosa gelding. He was delivered to me. I recently bought a two-horse, straight-load trailer to haul to trailheads near my home. I soon found that my gelding doesn’t want to load into the trailer. When I get him near the trailer door, he kicks out, pins his ears flat back, and tries to bolt away from the trailer. I have no idea how the previous owners loaded him up for delivery. Any advice?
Sandra Lewis Deming, New Mexico
A: Sandra, it sounds like your gelding has a deep fear of trailers. The previous owners could’ve used force to load him into a trailer. Or, perhaps they used a larger, less-scary trailer than the one you own.
To a horse, trailers are dark, scary caves where he could easily become trapped by a predator. The smaller the trailer, the scarier the cave. Your gelding pins his ears and kicks out of fear. Your job is to patiently work with him until he trusts you as the herd leader and understands that this "cave" is safe.
First, contact the previous owners. Ask them how they managed to load your gelding and how he acted on the trip to your place. Also, ask what type of trailer they used and how often they trailered the gelding.
This information will help you, but you also need to learn how to help your gelding overcome his fear of trailers. Below, I’ll share my advice. Note that as you take these steps, you should always stay safe. If you need to, ask for help from a qualified trainer/certified riding instructor in your area.
Step-by-Step Technique
Here’s how you can help your gelding feel safe entering and riding in your trailer.
Before you begin: Park your rig in a safe, level area with good footing. Leave the trailer hitched to your truck, so it’s secure and so your gelding becomes used to the sight of a full rig. Open up both rear doors, and remove the middle divider so the "cave" will be more open and inviting.
Outfit your gelding with a nylon or leather halter with a 200-foot longe line. (You’ll also need a 12-foot lead rope and a dressage whip.) Lead your gelding to a level area with good footing in plain view of the trailer.
Perform ground work. Ground work will reinforce your leadership position on the ground. Longe your gelding in both directions. Also, stand at his shoulder, and work on his back and stop. Then perform lateral flexion on both sides. (For more on these ground-work exercises, visit www.myhorse.com/trailrider.)
Approach the trailer. Switch to a 12-foot lead rope. Find the place where your gelding will stand relaxed, with no signs of fear or nervousness. Then walk him slowly toward the rear trailer doors in a relaxed manner. Be sure to stay relaxed — your gelding will sense and react to any tenseness on your part. He has to get his security from you.
Stop and longe. As soon as your gelding starts to show signs of nervousness, stop, and allow him to relax. When he’s relaxed, send him onto a small circle to the left, using the lead rope as a short longe line. Then send him onto a circle to right. Do this a few times in each direction, then stop him, praise him, and give him a rub or gentle pat on the inside of his shoulder.
Approach again. When your gelding relaxes, start walking toward the trailer doors again. Whenever he shows signs of nervousness, stop, and repeat Step 3. This will let him know that you’re in charge and that you won’t do anything to harm him. Continue in this manner until you reach the trailer doors. This may take an hour or a week — or even longer. Be patient, and always end a training session on a good note.
Stop at the doors. At the trailer doors, allow your gelding to relax and sniff the doors, floor, and ramp (if you have one). Allow him to figure out that the trailer won’t harm him. Allow him to take his time; don’t force him inside the trailer.
Load him into the trailer. When your gelding is comfortable and relaxed at the trailer doors, ask him to enter the trailer. You may have to ask him several times before he actually loads. Be patient.
Lightly tap him. If your gelding is relaxed and comfortable outside the trailer doors, but needs more encouragement to step into the trailer, stand at his left shoulder, facing forward. When first leading your horse to the trailer entrance, hold the lead rope in your right hand and a dressage whip in your left hand. If he needs encouragement to enter the trailer, face his shoulder, and switch the dressage whip to your right hand and the lead to your left hand, slightly in front of his nose (in a longe-to-the-left position). Lightly tap him on his inside (left) hip, cluck in a high-pitched tone, and ask him to step forward with you into the trailer.
Go on short trailer trips. Once your gelding will willingly load into the trailer, take him for short trips, and evaluate how he does each time. As he becomes accustomed to riding in the trailer, lengthen your trips. Drive slowly and carefully to make the trips as comfortable as possible for him.
Now you’re ready to take your gelding to a nearby trailhead. A final note: At age 4, your gelding isn’t quite ready for long rides. Keep rides on the short side until he turns 5 and his knees have fully matured.
Trainer J.F. Sheppard practices Responsible Horsemanship. He’s certified under top Paint Horse trainer William T. Lawrence. You can reach the Oregon resident at flyingeagle@ccountry.com.
