We see a lot about how to resolve trailer-loading problems, but the best method is always to prevent them in the first place. With a little effort on your part, you can keep a good hauler instead of creating and then correcting a bad one.
Maintain Manners/Training
A horse that’s well-trained, good-mannered, and responsive will almost always load more easily than one that’s less obedient, has holes in his training, and/or has bad manners overall. If you think about when you see a horse that refuses to load, it’s usually one that, even away from loading, is untrained, drags on the lead line, doesn’t pay attention, and/or isn’t responsive to a go-forward cue.
A better-mannered horse—whether that’s standing tied, leading, or loading—will always be easier to handle, even when he’s…
