FIXING HORSE TRAILER LOADING ISSUES| Tips & Tricks

[@zoekharpertian7775]

So glad to have found this video. I’ve been clicker training my mare to load for over a year with mixed results-she was doing fine but now-after a few very short trips and a brand new trailer-has become reluctant and unresponsive. She’s a pony, and tends to just plant her feet and ignore me. This may give me the missing piece of the puzzle to encourage her to respond but not force the issue. I love clicker training but pressure/release seems like it would add that little extra tool (along with the click and treats) to give us consistent success in loading.

[@ginac7043]

Can you do a video of how you start horses with lunging?

[@yeefrikinhaw07]

This was really helpful. I have a horse that came from the local prison and he is used to being forced in everywhere he goes and is used to stock trailers. So when I got him I tried loading him in my inclosed trailer and quickly realized that wasn’t gonna work. I started working with him in the trailer rewarding him just like you are doing and I got him to were he would walk in by himself. Then one day I had a vet come out to float his teeth and the vet brought an inclosed trailer with him so that he didn’t have to float the horses teeth outside. Well I know Charlie (my horse) wasn’t going to load real well since it had a bunch of contraptions inside of it so I started loading him slow. Well the vet was having a bad day and he grabbed the lead rope from me and start forcing him in. He immediately backed up really fast and that made the vet mad. So he brought out the whip and started whipping him. (Btw this was the first and last time we used this vet). After that vet left Charlie has reared over twice and one of the time he was sedated. After that he has been terrified of inclosed trailers and gets terrible nerves around them. I had a stock trailer brought to my house and now I’ve been starting slow in the stock trailer. Then once he is comfortable in there I will go ahead and start slow with the inclosed trailer. That vet made me and my family so mad and we gave him bad reviews. The reason I didn’t intervene while he was at my place was because he was so mad and yelling at everyone I was scared of him myself and was crying by the time he left. So what I’m trying to say is that positive reinforcement works great with trying to get him used to a trailer again. Thanks for this video.

[@Brn2Rde4Evr]

Thank you so much for your tutorial on trailer issues. My new mare loads too fast and barely pauses before turning (also too fast) and jumping off. I’ve tried slowing her down with some success, but she gets anxious and stiff when I try to back her off the trailer. My trailer is very similar to yours and I’ll continue working with her to feel comfortable with the whole trailer situation before working on the backing off of it again.

[@anakruger2412]

A lot of these tips can be applied to kenneling with dogs! It's recommended that the kennel not be a place for punishing your dog, but a safe little den for them so they will be content when they need to be kenneled.

[@readridelearn8635]

Ana Kruger so nice that some of the beat training methods are best for all animals! What you’ve said about dogs makes so much sense.

[@tessjones5987]

Your method is really the best.

[@melanieselin4187]

My horse was very good when she was travelling a lot, to vets and such when she was sick. In October last year me and a group of people from the stable wanted to take our horses to another area to ride in the forest. One month before we were going I started to train her, she hadn't been trained in over 2 years and it was 5 years since she actually traveled anywhere. Many people at my barn force their horses into it, just because they "are used to it". This does NOT work on my horse, and I think its mean to force them. I just asked her, made her stand on the ramp and just rewarded her when she took a step towards me. For her the worst thing was if it was too small, so we borrowed another trailer that was bigger and longer, that worked much better. Then the problem was that she had one back foot on the ramp, she knew that we couldn't close it then haha. So I just tried to get all her four feet inside but without closing the doors. After a few times (maybe 3-4) we closed the doors. And then she got to eat some hay and then came out. This worked great and we could go on the journey! When we are leaving to get home she is more nervous and doesn't want to get it. I made the mistake of letting another women try to get her in... the women tried to force her inside, not letting go when she tried to back away. This resulted in her almost rearing up (she never rears), this made me so angry (because I told the women she can't force her inside, she will just back up) so I took over. After maybe 10-15 minutes of just patience she walked in and we could go home. So... I learned that never let anyone care for my horse, most people are just so forceful and have absolutely ZERO patience. We haven't gone anywhere since (I don't own a trailer, we borrowed one from the owners of the barn). I love the patience and love you have for your horses ❤

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Melanie Selin thank you for sharing your experience!

[@perfectlyqueer1658]

Dogs do social calming signals like sniffing or scratching when they're anxious, so maybe that's why horses rest a hind leg in those situations? And thank you for explaining why lunging isn't ideal!

[@riasheart111]

This one of the best trailer loading videos I’ve ever watched, I love your approach and now I’m using it with my mare and it’s working

[@equestriankaiechomambo6450]

LOVE this method it’s super cool thank you so much for the video. I have a QH he’s 12 and for some reason he really hates getting in the trailer, he was a show horse when he was younger so not really sure why he doesn’t like the trailer. Most of the time when I’ve tried getting him on a trailer usually takes us 3-5 hours to get him on a trailer. Some days he goes in no problem some days he rears, bucks, bolts past the trailer, and sometimes he either 1 sits on his butt or 2 lays down he really doesn’t like getting in. I’ll definitely try this method thank you so much for the video:)

[@iclynnx]

Banksy is such a brave colt! He deserves a lot of praise and treats. And good luck with Pogo, I hope he eventually gets less anxious in the trailer, for everyone's health and safety.

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Icy Fleckz thank you😊

[@Cheerridenlax3]

Pogo: *poops* Pogo, but turned around: "Ooo whose poop???"

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Cheerridenlax3 haha so true☺️

[@LynneDemonQueen1]

My QH would rear and paw at the trailer when I got him even as a baby, younger than Banksy in this video. Shelby is dead on here, stay calm, dont try to force, and repetition with breaks every 10-15 minutes. It just takes time and persistence and always always end your sessions on a positive note no matter what it is you're working on. Great instructional on trailer loading Shelby - as always....

[@shermanian392]

my friend has trouble loading her gelding, he is young and still in training but i am definitely sending this to her!! thanks so much, you are such an amazing person and a wonderful role model for all the equestrians out there. 💗

[@HukkelberryPies]

Hi Shelby. Your training videos are so helpful. I just took my horse on a overnight trail trip and using your method made trailering really easy. We practiced twice a day for a week and a half and he got in super easy by the time it was time to leave. The thing that is most stressful for my horse is when the trailer starts moving. He is fairly calm when the trailer is stopped and will eat. Any advice on how to make the moving trailer less scary?

[@alexandrataylor9345]

Dude this is going to be so helpful! I love your training, thanks so much for putting this stuff out here for us to take stuff away from! Also, I loved your bit/training tack video. It was super informative and helpful

[@avagrace1398]

all of your training videos are beyond helpful. thank you soooooo much for taking the time to explain everything... please make more soon!!💞

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

ava grac thank you!

[@abigahil1970]

I love horses. They have been my animal since I was very little. I love them.this is the best channel in the world world

[@GilraenTook]

Someone in the horse club I was in as a kid had a horse that didn't like loading. They did the lunging thing because "that's what you do." Plus, of course, they wanted to be able to show, and they'd gotten the 3 year old to replace the old cow horse that the girl had outgrown, so he had to just "get over it." The first show they took him to, they ended up not being able to ride for the rest of the season, because they were trying the "lunging" thing by chasing him around in a few panels they'd attached to the trailer, then when that didn't work, they tied a plastic bag to a riding crop, had the rider hauling on his face, someone outside smacking him with the crop like it was a whip. That led to him going up to the door, planting on slick ground, sliding under it, and having the trailer slice straight up his canon. It was my last year before I aged out, and I was so glad to get to away from them, even though it meant giving up my horse eventually (something that still haunts me) because somehow I was considered the worst horse person there even with displays like that.

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

GilraenTook that’s awful! It’s so unfortunate that some people still use methods like that to the point where the horse is injured and/or mentally damaged.

[@julietamagnetto7357]

5:22 the way he hopped in was cute

[@cynthiabrown2806]

First...Banksy!! 😍😍 Second...thank you for another very helpful video. I have not loaded a horse for years, and likely won't anytime soon, but you provided a great deal of information that will help me better understand the horses I currently help care for and ride. Their mental health is as important as ours. 💜

[@chelseaarcher6868]

I lease an ottb who is bad at trailering, this is because his owners didn't use very nice methods to try to load him. We try and train him whenever we can, using positive reinforcement and treats when ever he steps closer to the trailer. we are now at the stage where he can get all four feet on the ramp. He has the habit of running backwards and rearing when not wanting to do something so we are very pleased with his progress. Really enjoyed the video and was helpful! :)

[@saffa_vanessa]

Ok... my thoroughbred used to fall asleep in the box. If it was a long trip she would actually lay down for her snooze. 😳

[@veritasreigns]

Banksy is really growing. He'll be a great horse when he's all grown up.

[@_fire_in_the_sky_7360]

I love this technique and the beliefs behind it. It’s clearly effective, look at the little star that is Banksy!

[@priyaequestrian8550]

These are super helpful, you explain everything really well too :)

[@sena3098]

Thank you so much for this video! I've been looking for a way to load without the anxiety, becuase of course we dont want our mare to dislike the trailer anymore than she does. Banksy looks great, you are doing such a good job with the baby man!!

[@tejatheslayer1586]

Thank you! This clicks with me so well, it's exactly how I want to approach my horse. We don't have any trailer standing at our barn but I though about renting one for a day a few times just to get Teja a bit better and less nervous around them ❤️

[@DianeLee999]

Great video, Shelby. I also really liked your end photo and music. 💜🦋

[@jordanp.eq_7583]

Thank you so much for this video. I have a three year old mare who doesn’t like the trailer so I will definitely try this

[@lillyharper7708]

My horse used to flip over almost everytime without even being loaded, if she saw the doors open and I walked her toward it straight up she went lol much better now though thank goodness. probably why she didnt make a racehorse, couldn't get near the gate😂

[@zoe5317]

My horse gets to the base of the trailer with no pressure and just stands there. She won’t take treats or touch the target or try and take a step up, I have no idea what to do with her

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

If she won’t take treats she’s too stressed to eat so I would start out with her approaching the trailer and then just turning and walking her away and see if it helps to break the steps down smaller so she is consistently quiet enough to want to take food.

[@Bclark_06]

I have a really hard time loading my mule foal so this was really helpful

[@ciannadelia7663]

Can you do a video on how to fix problems with turning because my horse will not let me steer her?

[@esrahansenoutdoorsandselfr563]

great tips thank you i have used a bum rope alot i never thought of it as chasing them in but it makes sense i always thought it was less harmfull than just yanking on the halter but i definatly see your point

[@elisehermann6094]

I would love everyone's opinion on shavings/no-shavings in trailers. It seems to have pros and cons and I keep getting an even amount of folks for/not for shavings in the trailer. I wouldn't in a stock trailer as I would be worried of all the dust created, but what about trailers with that open up but have the mesh vent covering?

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Elise Hermann no shavings on mats can make the floors slick so I think they’re a must for certain trailers.

[@elisehermann6094]

Shelby Dennis thank you! I have mats down. Should I try to get thicker shavings to generate less dust or having any tips there?

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Elise Hermann you could try chopped straw instead? That may blow around more if you’re having the issue of them being dusty

[@elisehermann6094]

Shelby Dennis I heard some people lightly mist the shavings to help 🤔 but straw could be an option. Don’t have any long hauls planned, all short, so probably won’t bother my horse too much.

[@levolpe1385]

Hey Shelby! What would you do with a horse that is curious about the trailer, and will stretch for treats, but as soon as they put a foot on the trailer, they immediately remove their foot and back up. (The sound of the trailer I believe is the trigger) And after they will not try to put a foot in again?

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

I wouldn’t ask them to put a foot up until they’re more comfortable around the trailer, that just means they’re feeling pressured by the food and will load but are still too nervous to actually see it through and keep the foot on, so best not using the treats fo bribe and instead just reward being near the trailer rather than trying to entice them in before they’re ready

[@levolpe1385]

@@Milestone-Equestrian thanks!

[@zoehartsock4820]

I do something very similar but I walk them up and away when they do what I want, I've found the big release works wonderfully for my filly. But I use your method for my older horses

[@aidamcewen6884]

How old is Banksy now? He's massive!

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Aida McEwen he is 10 months old now😊

[@artsy_vale8491]

Awesome video! You should make a video about how to fix a horse that bites!😬😬😬💕💕

[@feiyagommers5642]

my horse loads really well, but is terrified of unloading. I also don’t have a trailer where i can turn him around. I‘m gonna try this method (applying pressure and rewarding as soon as he steps back) instead of turning him around when he refuses

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

You could also try backing the trailer into the end of a hill so it is slightly less of a step down and practicing with that if you don’t have a ramp and want to make the step a little less scary

[@feiyagommers5642]

Shelby Dennis we have a ramp, but he never backed out enough to even step on it. That is until today! I’ve been making him back up a lot (like into the cross ties so the idea of backing up is less scary) and today I just decided to trailer him and he came out within 5 minutes!! the best part is when we got home he backed out as soon as I asked! You could tell he was still very nervous but it’s an unbelievable improvement!

[@kerriemccutcheon1270]

God luv the video very informational . I like how quiet you train your horses . Welldone

[@maddalenahylton]

What did you use to design your jacket? I would love to have one to advertise for my business

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Maddalena Hylton it’s a jacket off the rack that I bought and then had a company in Ontario, Letter Perfect Embroidery, did the logo for me and shipped the jacket to me in BC!

[@maddalenahylton]

Oh wow that’s really cool! Thank you that’s super helpful!

[@Mickey27_]

Could you make a video about horses that have issues with having pressure on their face (pulling back or rearing even just while being tied)

[@Jessie.Krause21]

Shelby, when you do these sessions, do you have your trailer hooked up to your truck?

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Jessie Ackley Yes, you absolutely CANNOT ever load into trailers that aren’t hitched. Very very dangerous.

[@Jessie.Krause21]

@@Milestone-Equestrian yes that has always what I've been told and how I have always gone about it as well. Just wanted to see if that held true for you too :). Thanks so much for your reply!

[@monicap1717]

Luv luv luv everything here...❤👏 Except the heavy floppy lead rope snap hanging & banging around waiting to smack & bonk him. He is growing so big!! &Pogo will just need to have some time. Especially with his bad memories and anxiety... Something Banksy DOES NOT HAVE...lol..❤.. I respect your skills Shelby girl!! 💪 again, Bravo👏👍

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Monica Peterson If a horse spooks at a slack lead rope, they need more halter training. If he was that nervous of it, he definitely would not be ready to trailer load. If horses are afraid of their lead ropes, you’re setting them up for catastrophe if they ever get loose. All lead ropes have clips like that and considering the tie for the rope halter hangs well away from his face, you don’t have anything to worry about

[@monicap1717]

@@Milestone-Equestrian spook at a slack leadrope? Lol Man i would sure hope not...lol how lame is that but...no i just dont like your leadrope set up... Thats all.

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Monica Peterson My lead rope set up is a very generic. All horse leads have larger clips or you risk them breaking so I’m not really sure how you would expect that to be rectified but regardless, he is fine and you have nothing to worry about lol. I

[@sethsage_]

banksy is HUGE

[@luizafonseca_]

Amazing video ❤️

[@roisinc8299]

My horse has problems unloading not loading so I never see anything about how to help this as it’s more common obviously for problems while loading

[@lifechapterswithleah8541]

I have issues unloading my horse he loads usually just fine! but backing off the drop off scares him, so he just won’t back up off the trailer.. It takes a lot of coaxing to get him to.. and it’s very stressful for him. Any advice for that he gets off just fine if he can turn around and go face forward!💞

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Life Chapters With Leah quite a few horses seem to be less comfortable backing out, especially if the trailer is a step up/down rather than one with a ramp. I would try having high value treats with you when getting ready to unload, and back very slowly, providing a treat and voice reassurance. Do your best to have your horse stop right before backing off and give a treat. Hopefully this will help him to take the last step out in a more controlled manner.

[@lifechapterswithleah8541]

Shelby Dennis Thank you I do use treats but as soon as his foot hits air he steps forward a few steps and we have to start all over and since I don’t have a trailer it’s very hard when friends bring a trailer over to practice, we don’t have much time before they have to leave usually :( So it’s been touch and go, I’ve been able to practice a few times in the two years and six months that I’ve had him, but only a few times and he is getting better with it but it’s going to take a few more years at this rate LOL I plan to buy a horse trailer this year, but with everything that’s going on it might be kind of hard to do if I have to take time off work due to the coronavirus.. Thank you so much for all the advice I will definitely be using it!!💞

[@gracebrown8367]

Do you turn all your horses around to unload? I’ve never seen someone turn around in a slant to unload.

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Grace Brown Yes. The vast majority of horses I’ve met don’t really like backing out of a slant load if there’s room to turn around. Most people I know with slants turn around so maybe it’s a discipline specific or area Specific thing. But with the step downs most horses prefer to turn around if there’s room and in my trailer there’s even room for like 17hh horses to turn so space is not an issue

[@emmasnickers3400]

Hey Shelby, great video! I'm currently working on trailering with my horse. At what point do you attach them to the trailer tie, shut the divider, and shut the trailer door? How do you get them to stand still while you step back to shut the divider (my horse likes to try and follow me)? When do you know that they are ready for the next step?

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Emma Snickers the divider should already be pulled partially closed before you snap the tie so there isn’t the desire to leave but I don’t tie them or use the divider until they’re trained to tie and more comfortable in the trailer. I’d practice closing the divider partially but not latching it first so it’d be a 2 person job, 1 to hold the divider and one to hold the horse

[@roisinc8299]

Shelby do you have any advice for unloading. As you said with milo my horse comes flying out and throwing his head around very quickly and almost dangerously. He has to be backed out because of the type of trailer. I try do it as slowly as possible but it doesn’t change. And I don’t really have a trailer to practice with either?

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Cool as a Cucumber if you have a straight haul is there any way to remove the middle divider just to help him feel like claustrophobic while you start working on it? They come flying out like that due to high levels of anxiety so it’s about reducing anxiety and getting him comfortable in the trailer so he’s not as frantic to get out

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

You could work on backing him through door ways or jump standards for the time being if you don’t have a trailer

[@nancyk3615]

Good job , and going in and out is really good to show them that they aren't being trapped. Did you give the camera lady a good reward too? Just kidding :)

[@sandycee89]

He also sees no harm came to you all the while he seemed stubborn. After enough time lapsed beccame more calm

[@emilygracevlogss]

Thankfully my horse is a very easy loader

[@shezsointimidating1067]

Do you find that horses trained with treats rather than say a pat or scratch or just release from pressure then expect the treats all of the time? I know a horse who has become so reliant on treats to work that he now expects them all of the time and when the treats run out during a session, he completely breaks down and won't do anything and becomes very aggressive/blatant disrespect toward his owner.

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Shez So Intimidating No. if the horse becomes aggressive then it’s the owner’s fault for not training them properly. Horses can not understand the concept of respect so he isn’t doing it to disrespect her. Her timing is probably off for the reward and she isn’t using treats correctly.

[@Ruthanne2030]

I named my dog Milo after your horse Milo

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Parisfan 208 awe, that’s so sweet!

[@madisoni7792]

First!!!!! 👍😁👋

[@haleighdemers9570]

First

[@chloebaxter6804]

F I R S T !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Chloe Baxter omg I’m ur biggest fan

[@horselovers9978]

You should teach your horse to back out of the trailer

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Horse Lovers Why would I do that if I can turn them around? They don’t like backing out of a step down and neither way is better than the other unless the model of trailer actually prevents you from doing so. If they’re loading well, causing undue stress teaching them to back out over a drop down when it’s in their blind spot is a very stupid thing to do.