Just wanted to find out more info on the do’s and don’ts of trailer. As I am a rookie at trailering my horse I would love some imput from you vetrans on the subject! 
I read it several times before I bought my trailer. I’ve heard NOT to use shavings because they can blow around and create respiratory problems, especially on long hauls.
Kate
I will share a tale of stupidity of my own doing. Maybe you can appreciate the point I am trying to make.
Always, always, always wrap your horse’s legs when they get in a trailer. I don’t care if you are only going around the corner to the neighbor’s!!! This is case in point.
I have trailered horses for 20 years. I wrap my gelding to haul literally 1 1/2 miles to a clinic. I am by myself, nothing out of the ordinary. I arrive right on schedule, not in a rush. Somehow I got out of my “routine”. I believe in ALWAYS doing things in the same order.
I undo the butt chain, I open the trailer front, I attach the lead rope, I go to the back, open the door (it is a 2 horse straight load, step up) and Bud starts to quietly back. UNTIL HE HITS THE TRAILER TIE that I idiotically forgot to undo!!!
This horse does not straight tie because he pulls back. Needless to say he started fighting to beat the band. Now I have a panicking horse half in and half out of the trailer. He is 16.3 mind you. Legs going every which way. striking, kicking, mostly pulling. Hind legs half under the step up. I’m trying to get him to jump back forward.
He finally jumps back in the trailer, I quickly get to his head, undo the trailer tie, and out he goes free this time.
I swear I tried to kill the poor horse.
Moral of story, beyond my idiocy, is that had he not been wrapped with quilts and track knit bandages, his legs would have been ribbons. He had one grab on the bulb of a front, pulled a hind shoe somehow, but other than that was fine. Thanks to my guardian angel I guess.
We rode the clinic, and I’ll be hanged if that horse didn’t just get right back in the trailer when it was over, and quietly came out when we got home. What a treasure, and I tried to kill him.
I will wrap if they even look at getting in a trailer. Learn to wrap so that you have quilt protection down low enough if they have to scramble for their balance. If I had also put bell boots on as I usually do, he wouldn’t have even had the grab boo boo.
And I promise this is my last note. Be a good defensive driver with a trailer. Another reason for the protection is we have no control over people pulling out in front of us to close, or stopping too suddenly. Allow your self as much reaction time as possible. If the trip is too rough on the horse, they may decide they don’t want to get back in the trailer.
Happy trails… 
Drive around with the trailer empty to help you become accustomed to the turning radius and stopping.
When my brother and I bought our first trailer, we asked our instructor to give us a trailering lesson. We loaded up my brother’s older, been there/done that horse and drove around a few country roads. The instructor said that was the first time anyone had ever asked her for a trailering lesson and she thought it was a great idea.
Just wanted to find out more info on the do’s and don’ts of trailer. As I am a rookie at trailering my horse I would love some imput from you vetrans on the subject!
Make sure your trailer is safe - lights, brakes, floor, hitch, chains, etc. If you’re not sure what to look for take it to a service place.
If your trailer is a bumper hitch I highly recommend sway bars. Our trailer dealer told us they weren’t necessary but the trailer tows much better with them.
I had an instructor that made us ride in the back of the trailer to get a feel for what the horse goes through. You couldn’t hang on with your hands - just balance with your feet. You quickly learn that stops, starts and turns are they hardest. Also practice with an empty trailer to get a feel for how much longer it takes to stop and remember that will increase depending on how much live weight you’re carrying.
If you’re trailer someplace you haven’t gone before you might want to consider scoping it out with your car if that’s feasible. It can be a real pain in the butt to realize you’ve missed your turn and have to go 12 miles before there’s a spot big enough to turn around.
Speaking of turning around, practice backing until you’re comfortable with it. Once you get the feel it’s not as hard as it seems. But it’s much easier to learn in an open space with no pressure.
Put sawdust in the bottom of the trailer to absorb any urine as a wet floor is very slick (even with rubber mats). Also clean out the trailer after each use as urine and manure will rot the floor very quickly.
If you’re trailering a strange horse ask how they react. My friend trailered a horse once that panicked in her two horse. Both the horse and the trailer were in rough shape. As it turns out the owner knew that the horse didn’t like 2 horse trailers but forgot to mention it.
A few things to take with you: a cell phone, first aid kit, spare halter, water (if your destination is far away or they don’t have water), flares, flashlight, spare tires (for truck and trailer) and tire iron (the one for your truck may not fit your trailer).
Hope this helps. Enjoy all the places you can go now!
I bought the “trailering Bible” on advice on someone here on the board, and I will give the same advice back out.
It’s called, The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer, by
Neva and Thomas Scheve.
Can’t say enough good things about it. I found it at my local tack shop - I’m sure you could get hold of it pretty easily. Everything from tow hitches to ramps, tow vehicles to trailer types - no stone is unturned in this book. Best of Luck.
- C
