Loading a trailer presents
one of the biggest disagreements among horses. Some say the trailer is very
relaxing and comfortable. Others say it is the worst kind of torture your human
could put you through. But whether you enjoy the trailer or not, there are
fundamentals to loading, riding, and unloading.
Loading is a tricky part of
the trailering experience. To get into the trailer, you must either step-up (or
jump if you are one of our short-legged friends) or walk up the ramp. Both can
be scary if not done properly.
To step-up into a trailer,
you need to be straight. Do not try to get in facing sideways because once you
are in, you may run into the wall. Also, make sure you pick up your feet. It
hurts when they bang against the bumper of the trailer.
Caddy prepares to step up into her trailer. |
If there is a ramp on your
trailer, remember you to not have to step up; simply walk onto the ramp. If you
are frightened of this ramp, the worst thing to do is get half-way up and then back
down. When you back down this ramp without thinking, you may find yourself
going side-ways and slipping off the side of the ramp. Calm yourself and walk
straight up and into the trailer. The ramp may quiver under your weight (let’s
face it, we aren’t the lightest species) but do not worry. Most likely it will
not break.
In our next post, we will
continue with Part 2-Riding in the Trailer.
That’s our two bits!
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