what is the best eqipment to use when loading a horse as i keep getting told different way?

Question

as my horse is funny with new things being put on him and i want to make sure that i do it right so not to destress him to much

Answer 1

You've got some good responses so far. First off, it seems from your question you may have been asking about what sort of gear he'd need for the trip. Probably the number one piece of equipment would be protection for his legs. The best protection comes from specially made shipping boots that protect the leg from the hoof to the knee and the hock. Some horses don't like the feeling of these boots on their legs, though. I've seen some lash out dangerously the moment the shipping boots go on. To make sure your horse can adapt to them, try the shipping boots on well in advance of his trip on the trailer (as in days, maybe even weeks). Put them on pretty loose and reward him with treats. Let him stand in the stall with his boots on and get use to the sensation of something so far up his legs. If he really freaks out and can't handle it, you have other options. For the horses that can't wear shipping boots, I usually like to take pillow wraps around their legs, then double wrap with standing wraps to keep them in place. The wraps don't go quite as far up a horse's legs as shipping boots, so most of them find it easier to cope with. It doesn't offer quite as much protection, but it's still far better than sending him on the trailer with nothing. Some people also like to use head bumpers on their horses when shipping them. Only add one if your horse has a tendency to through his head in the air when nervous or excited. The bumper will protect him from banging it against the top of trailer or cutting his head on any sharp edges.

Now, if you have problems with loading him on the trailer, you're going to want to work with him on this as consistently as possible. If you have your own trailer or access to one, you should practice loading him on it every other day. Do it at different times, too, so he doesn't come to think that he only has to get on the trailer if it's bright and sunny out. Let him walk around it and sniff it, then try walking him up. Make it clear that he has to get on the trailer. You can try coaxing him on with his favorite treat, but don't let him back away. Reward any steps forward with praise. You may need someone else on the ground to coax him into the trailer. Once he's in, reward him with his treat. If it's near mealtime, you can feed him his grain on the trailer, too. He'll begin to associate it with positive experiences like praise and food.

Answer 2

All you need is a sturdy halter and lead some patients, and if he just won't go in, you'll need 3 people. If he is nervous about the trailer work him around it. Lunge him next to it both ways. Walk him up to the door, then back him away and work him some more. That will get his confidence up. Keep doing this and he will begins to walk further and further in the trailer each time you take him up to it. Pretty soon, if you are calm and confident, the horse will hop right in. But, even when he does hop in, back him out again. Don't trap him in there the first time he willingly jumps in, you will have to start all over again.
Now, if that doesn't work, get some buddies to help. Someone leads and 2 push. The one in the front doesn't need to pull hard and make the horse nervous, just tug and release, tug and release. The other two people get on either side of the horse's hips. Grasp each other's hand under the hindquarters, plenty above the hocks. When everyone is ready, the 2 hind people start pushing and lifting and the front person tugs and gets out of the horse's way. The horse will plant it's front feet and therefore his hindquarter will be easy to lift and push.

Answer 3

There are several ways to skin a cat - or load a horse, and there can be more than one right answer.

I don't use head bumpers or leg and tail wraps, but these are precautions and cannot hurt. (The tail wraps keep the tail nice and untangled by wind). I use a halter and lead line, and either snap him to a trailer tie or use the lead to tie him up. I've also hauled horses loose in the trailer.
Do you mean what to use when loading an unwilling horse? I've found butt ropes to be handy. Have a long, soft rope, and have two people hold it, one at each end. Place the rope above the hocks and apply pressure while a third person leads the horse in. Has worked for me on the worst-loading horseswith minimal stress. A lot better than a whip and tugging for hours!

Answer 4

A rope and halter are the only things really necessary for loading a good horse. If yours may act worse with boots, blankets, or head bumpers he never wears any other time then they aren't worth it for him. If you do what he's used to and he is relaxed he will stand well and be unlikely to get hurt (barring any major accidents) If he's stressed and tense he will be more likely to slip spook or panic while getting in or once he's closed in.

You your own good sense , that's why you have it. If you'd like to you some of the other safety equipment just let him wear for short times. Leg wraps while you're grooming, a blanket while he eats. Don't use them in the trailer until he excepts that they're just another ordinary thing. They do add to the safety by preventing cuts and bumps and giving you handholds if you must pull your horse out in a rollover, but they aren't worth it to have your horse dance in the trailer. Good luck

Ap1188 said it while I was typing!

Answer 5

Do not force him. It will stress him out and he can get spooked. You need to be calm when trying to load him, and it may take a couple of tries. Just be patient. If you have another horse that he is "attached" to that will load in a trailer really good, try to load that horse first, and then try him. He might go right in since the other horse is in there and he sees that the other horse it just fine.

We had a horse that absolutly hated horse trailers because he was forced into a trailer by a trainer (I know, trainers are supposed to be smarter than that). Needless to say, we could never get him back in a horse trailer because of it. But, after much frustration and patience we FINALLY got him in one.

Answer 6

Should wear a stable rug , travel boots and a tail guard, maybe a poll guard if your horse throws its head around. and a halter.

use lots of practise times where the horse goes in one ramp and straight out the other. reward it for every step it takes. and when it travels let it go with anouther horse if possible, and make sure that horse is experienced and calm.

Answer 7

I once adopted a horse that had been horribly abused. He was terrified of the horse trailer. What we did was show him the trailer. We walked him all around it... let him sniff it. Eventually we wound up putting a cloth over his eyes so he couldn't see the thing he was so afraid of, and with my father and I talking to him in gentle tones, he walked right in.
Good luck. :)

Answer 8

have your horse look at it and every time he take a step foreward give him a treat. Don't make a big deal out of it if he steps backward.