Training Tip: Troubleshoot Unloading a Horse From a Trailer

A horse that rushes out of the trailer is telling you he doesn’t really want to be in there. So change his perspective on things. Make sure you park the trailer on good footing so that the horse won’t slip. If he wants to rush out backwards, don’t try to stop him. As soon as all four of his feet hit the ground, put him to work. You can do Lunging for Respect Stage One or Stage Two, Backing Up, the C-Pattern, etc. It doesn’t really matter what exercise you do, as long as it involves lots of changes of direction and you really make his feet hustle. After working for a few minutes, send him back in the trailer and let him rest. Anytime he wants to come back out, let him, and then put his feet back to work. It won’t be long before he realizes that the trailer is really the greatest place to be.