Few experiences are more exasperating than trying to load a reluctant horse into a trailer. When the horse doesn’t “cooperate,” even the calmest, coolest-tempered person can become tense and aggravated. The situation is equally stressful for the horse. Not only is he being asked to go into a trailer – something he usually will not want to do – but now he’s got an enraged human to deal with.

What Makes a Horse difficult to load?

What causes a horse to turn into a difficult loader? One factor is simply the horse’s instincts.

Horses naturally perceive anything that represents restriction and confinement as a threat to their safety. Entering a small enclosure such as a trailer goes against a horse’s instincts.

Some horses refuse to load because of an unpleasant experience in their past. A horse will remember a traumatic or unpleasant hack and he will do whatever he cannot to repeat that experience.

A particularly long ride, speeding over bumps in the road, taking corners too sharply, too many sudden stops, or an accident resulting in the horse being injured can cause the horse to associate discomfort with being in the trailer.

But more often than not, your horse may refuse to load because you are sending him the wrong signals. Horses are very good at reading the body language of humans.If you lack confidence, your horse knows it, and he will respond accordingly. So if you appear anxious, your horse may think there’s a real reason to be afraid of what’s in the trailer and become fearful himself. Or, if he’s a “bully” type of horse, he may sense your hesitancy and decide you’re someone who doesn’t need to be obeyed.

However, if you try to force him to load, that may make him even more determined to put up a fight. Even if you are eventually successful in forcing your horse into the trailer, the battle will be waged again next time.

Tips for the horse that refuses to load

So what’s the best way to deal with a trailer-shy horse? Obviously, your best bet is to not give your horse a reason to dread the trailer in the first place. But if it’s too late for that, here are some suggestions to take the load off your mind:

Allow your horse to familiarise himself gradually with the trailer

Put the trailer in the field or yard with your horse, open the door, and allow your horse to explore the trailer on his terms. Let your horse walk up to the trailer, look inside, smell it, and maybe put one food inside. The idea is to get your horse comfortable with the trailer when you don’t have to go anywhere and you can be totally relaxed, rather than trying to load your horse into the trailer for the first time the day you’re leaving for a show.

You might also consider feeding your horse his meals on the ramp of the trailer. Each day you can move the food bucket or hay bag a little further inside the trailer. The horse learns that the trailer isn’t that bad of a place and starts to associate it with something positive.

Create a comfortable environment for loading

When preparing to load, make the surrounding conditions seem as “safe” as possible for your horse. If your horse is timid around strangers, limit the number of people present to two or three and make sure they are people your horse is familiar with. If your horse seems bothered by the thud of the ramp, put some bedding or padding on the loading ramp to muffle the noise. If you’ve got a very tall horse trailer and a steep ramp, park your trailer where you can rest the ramp on a hill so that your horse doesn’t have to walk up a steep grade.

Back up your trailer to a confined space

If possible, back your trailer right up to the stable door so the horse has nowhere to go but into the trailer. Don’t give him the option to bolt.

Reward steps in the right direction

Reward your horse with treats such feed or carrots after he makes some progress. You don’t have to wait until the horse is all the way in the trailer or even halfway in the trailer to reward him. With an extremely fearful horse, even just a few steps toward the trailer may merit a couple pieces of carrot. That may be just enough incentive for him to keep going.

Don’t be in a hurry to get somewhere

Allow yourself plenty of time to load your horse and to travel so you’re not rushing. If you’re in a panic to get out the door, your horse is going to sense your anxiety and he won’t want to get in the trailer – especially if you end up getting mad at him. If you have enough time you can be more patient with your horse and he will be more willing to cooperate.

Be confident

Lead your horse up to the loading ramp while telling yourself you know he’ll go right in. Horses get their confidence from their rider/handler. A common mistake is approaching the trailer tentatively and stopping to look at the horse. Just calmly lead him as far as you can. Walk up to the trailer as though it were the most normal thing in the world to get into a narrow, cramped, dark box. Chances are if you have a positive attitude it should rub off on your horse.

It is easy to take your horse abroad in your own trailer or lorry across to Ireland or Europe on a ferry (horses and cattle are not allowed in the Eurotunnel). Or you could use a reputable International Horse Transport firm such as John Parker International. Top showjumpers may cross the channel several times a month.

If you are travelling some distance, there are stables you can book for a rest stop for your horse or pony. There are specialised stables for this at Dover and near Calais. Other stable yards and equestrian centres throughout the UK and across Europe will offer the same service. You can either phone around yourself or contact an equestrian travel, horse shipping or transport company who will be able to advise you.

Ferry companies will charge by vehicle length, so it is often cheaper to take a small lorry rather than a 4×4 and trailer. Ensure your chosen ferry route will take horses. Inform the ferry company that you will be transporting a horse when you book your ticket. Don’t forget to phone the ferry company before you leave to check for any delays or rough weather. They will not allow horses on the ferries in very rough seas. Always make sure you take your horse or pony’s passport with you when travelling.

The most common ferry crossings used for horses:

• Dover to Calais
• Newhaven to Dieppe
• Harwich to the Hook of Holland
• Hull to Rotterdam
• Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire
• Pembroke to Rosslare
• Stranraer to Belfast

Ponies – there are additional regulations for taking ponies under 14.2hh abroad due to the ban on live exports for meat.

If you want to take a pony abroad then you have to prove it is worth more than a certain value depending on its height, or that it is travelling to compete, due to the ban on live exports for meat.

Ponies 12hh to 14.2hh – £300, under 12hh – £220 and Shetlands up to 10.2hh – £145.

This can be proven by one of the following means

a current insurance certificate

purchase invoice

DEFRA form stamped by the FEI or the Showjumping Association of Ireland, or the relevant breed society if travelling for competition.

Certificate of Minimum Value singed by a valuer or a Judge of the Breed Society in whose stud book the pony is registered.

The proof of value must be sent with the application for an export licence (separate form available for ponies under 14.2hh to DEFRA.

Licence required to take your horse or pony out of the UK. The ferry company will ask for this at the port when you arrive to board the ferry. You can apply for this yourself from DEFRA, include the proof of value for ponies.

Horses travelling to or through Switzerland or Norway are subject to customs clearance and will need to travel on an ATA Carnet. This allows them to travel free of taxes or duties.