Trailering for the first time
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Trailering a horse for transport is something most owners take for granted as a common, necessary part of equine ownership. However, it can prove a frustrating and dangerous proposition – especially for first-time horse owners and owners of younger horses.

According to Jennie Noble, a Southern California horse owner who keeps two Percherons on a ranch near Malibu , patience can often play a key role in trailering horses.

“I think too many people don't realize how frightening getting on a trailer is for the horse,” she said. “Owners should set aside a lot of time to get the horse accustomed to the trailer.”

For example, when trailering a horse for the first time, Noble proposed a long-term, patient approach to introduce the trailer to the horse as a common, safe, non-threatening environment. An owner could start by simply storing the trailer near the horse’s paddock, letting the animal see the trailer as common object.

“Let the horse get used to just being around the trailer,” Noble said. “Leave it open around the horse. On some occasions, the horse might even venture near or inside it on its own.”

Noble also suggested feeding the animal in the trailer, perhaps using the horse’s normal food as an inducement to get the animal inside. After it’s eaten, let the horse leave the trailer on its own – reinforcing that the vehicle is not a threat. The trailer becomes a part of the horse’s world in which the animal can come and go without anxiety.

All these steps allow the horse to spend time around the vehicle before you actually plan to trailer the young horse anywhere.

“Horses don't like confined spaces and getting on a trailer requires a lot of trust,” Noble added. “Rushing the process and forcing the horse with harsh treatments and demands can really frighten the horse – introducing the kind of anxiety and poor behavior that can take a long time to train away.”

“You can ruin a horse/owner relationship if the animal associates something you forced it to do with anxiety. You don’t want to make trailering a life-long struggle for both animal and owner.”

Even once the horse is more comfortable and willing to enter the trailer for transport, there are additional steps an owner can take to insure the safety and well being of the animal. For example, several manufacturers offer cushioned pads that provide cushioning and rub protection for a horse in tighter confines. Most designs of these pads attach securely to even lighter harnesses and give the horse an extra degree of comfort while entering, exiting and riding in the trailer.

Also, the use of a head bumper (essentially a helmet for the animal) can be essential during trailering. The bumper is specially designed to protect the animal against impact trauma to the sensitive poll area. Most designs of heap bumpers are adjustable to fit different breeds.

Once the animal is emotionally comfortable with trailering, such protection can prevent physical injury – insuring no-worry trailering for horse and owner alike.

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