Trailer Loading The Frank Bell Way

A variety of horses, trailers, and weather conditions are used to demonstrate Frank’s Gentle Solutions approach to helping horses accept trailers as part of life and basic horse training.

Here are some of Frank's tips for trailer loading:

• With a new trailer, add some horse smells: manure, hay, tack or blankets.

• Adequate headroom is very importance. Measure your horse and trailer before purchasing the wrong one.

• Take a ride in the back of the trailer to see and feel what your horse experiences.

• Drive your horse over stacked railroad ties to teach to step-up into the trailer.

• Be patient. Use "baby steps".

• Once loaded, be certain the horse understands he can move his feet.

• Have your horse’s favorite food in the trailer when they load up.

• Check for sharp objects, hoof catchers and other dangers. Be careful where you tie your horse to the trailer. Are there any sharp objects nearby?

• Slant loads stress horses less than straight loads. It’s the way they balance naturally in an open stock trailer.

• Double check everything before you depart: hook-ups, mechanical, electrical, and tires.

• While driving, tap the brake lightly before a stop or turn. This allows the horse to prepare.

• When unloading, Frank suggest this sequence: open butt bar, untie lead then open door. If you open the door first, you horse might try to back out while still tied in, resulting in a possible freak out.

Trailer loading is a necessary part of horse training, ownership, and enjoyment. It can be a big event or a non-event. Learn the easy, horse whisperer way to easy trailering.

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