so many good methods mentioned here but as with any "tool" anything can go wrong and when it comes to horses--it can go wrong really fast. we often used a soft butt rope around baby's bottom as we were leading with the mare and as they grew any pressure back there, they stepped away from it. that works of course if you are fortunate enough to be there while they are growing up--but so many that have come into our lives did not get the start they needed. we also start walking them in and out of the trailer beside mom. we all know "they won't learn any younger"!!!LOL.

omg THATS HORRIBLE.. but we never tied it always held it and walk up behind to give them the extra boost.. Never tied it for I could see a catastrophe happening..if we did.

I had a "trainer" use a lunge line around the rump of one of my mares that she was taking to her place to "train". The mare was in the trailer to her back legs, when she decided to run backwards. There was too much tension on the lunge line; her legs slid under the trailer and she broke her femur. It happened in a split second! My vet made it to my place very quickly and put her down as her leg dangled uselessly. I will never forget the sound of her leg breaking. The fact that it happened to me, proves that it can happen! PLEASE don't use this method! firstappylady

This post was originally posted 2005.. thats awesome that there is still people helping 3 yrs later.... alot of good ideas .. Id use a lunge line behind butt .. it usually works good. karen

Go see Parelli this month, the 27th there in Texas. You will learn WAY MORE than just loading a horse in a trailer. Twobits had free tix but I think they are already taken.

thank you horsetrained for a visual seen too often. have also used true2horses way and had horses that had not been handled or haltertrained inside the trailer within 10 minutes. then proceeded to use the divider to our advantage to do kind of a mini touch and retreat session--actually wormed and vaccinated a couple sale barn bargains that way. amazing what a covered well built stock w/dividers can be put to use for.LOL.

Whop em on the butt with a bridle while wildly flinging your arms and cussing,horses being direct line thinkers know exactly what you want.Be careful not to spill your beer."Smile"

I agree with true2horses, I have seen this technique work so many times if you do it right. I have also seen when a person was in a situation and needed loaded now, they have taken a lariat and put the loop over the horses butt and ran the rope up through the side of the trailer and out and when the horse was being led into the trailer they would put a little pressure on it to get him started then back off when he starts to go on his own, this has worked also. Or of course you could follow Monte's advice. LOL shygal

It has been a while since my mare has been in a two horse trailer...I am also feeding her inside the trailer but first took out the middle partisan so it wouldn't be so confining to her. It's amazing how far they can stretch and still have their rear legs on the ground outside the trailer. LOL!! So I have been putting the feed as far back as I can in the trailer. I have recently put the partisan back in but at an angle.....I leave one side of the trailer open all the time so she can "come & go" to get her feed. This weekend I am going to have the partisan back in place so it will be a "two horse" trailer again. Slow and steady.......

i dont know if this will help you ... but when i have a horse that wont go on the trailer ..i take my old 16ft stock trailer out in the barn yard and block it up where it cant move..i coach the on with feed and i let him eat the feed and on the trailer leave him on it for hour or so he will get to know if hes going to eat hes got to load..maybe this is helpful...you know what works for one dont work for all....good luck