Hitching up, towing, horse not loading - all a bit of a nuisance

[NooNoo59]

Hi
Need a kick up the backside really, I have a great cob who will do well at showing and has already been good at a few local dressage tests. I have a shogun old but pulls anything easily and a share of an Ifor 510. Its all a bit of an effort, i keep thinking about getting going soon but everything puts me off. Pony has been tricky to load so know that is the first thing to sort out, but that means hitching up nearly every day to practise which puts me off, lazy i know! Also i am not the most confident of towers, i like to be able to do everything myself as dont want to be relying on people to help as then i am not a free agent and have to make sure people are free etc.
I worry about narrow lanes, someone pulling out in front of me and the trailer snaking, I did have an horrendous accident 10 years ago in a small lorry and my daughter was injured and the pony killed so i know its normal to worry. I struggle to line the trailer up with the car and get frustrated by that, also reversing is a bit of a pain, ok if i have time and can think it through but if i was in a situation where other drivers were hassling me i think i would make a huge hash of it. I know i am making this a big deal and i am very lucky to have access to transport as and when i need it so please can i present my backside for kicking!!!

 

[tallyho!]

Why do you need to hitch up to practise loading? Would there be an option to put the trailer somewhere safe, out of the way so you can practice loading your horse? Could leaving it in the paddock for a few weeks be an option?

I think you have to bite the bullet. Pull on your big girl pants and get cracking! It'll be well worth it in the end. My mare gave me such a hard time loading when she was younger... I practiced in my unhitched trailer using first a food bucket, then treats and now she walks on herself practically.

There is no magic in it, just perseverance and loads of patience.

Get on with it girl! No one is going to live your life for you.

 

[9tails]

Why do you need to hitch up to practise loading? Would there be an option to put the trailer somewhere safe, out of the way so you can practice loading your horse? Could leaving it in the paddock for a few weeks be an option?

Don't do this, it is very dangerous. The jockey wheel isn't strong enough to support the weight of a horse and if he panicked the whole trailer could go over with him in it.

You really do need a kick up the backside. I'm all for being lazy if I can get away with it but if you want results you need to practice loading, which means getting on with it. That old saying "The harder I work the luckier I get" is definitely true in the horse world. Don't worry about other people, learn to reverse the trailer before going out. It's quite easy once you have the hang of it.

 

[NooNoo59]

Yes I thought it was dangerous thanks for confirming !

 

[ROG]

Ok with trailer on its own PROVIDING you can add something under it to stabilised it both front and back

 

[NooNoo59]

Like what? It has a wheel clamp on so does that count? Where would it have to be places at the back?

 

[Swirlymurphy]

Our old IW trailer had supports at the front and the back which you could drop down and lock into position so you can load without being hitched up.

Regarding the reversing, why not get a reversing mirror? They attach to the trailer and when you look into it from behind your steering wheel, it shows you the hitch and your towbar as you move closer to it. Blooming marvellous things!

Get lots of practise when the trailer is empty, go for a drive as many times as you need to feel at ease behind the wheel.

Good luck!

 

[ROG]

Like what? It has a wheel clamp on so does that count? Where would it have to be places at the back?

Take a look at a caravan as it has 4 wind down legs - 1 near each corner - to stop it tilting in any way when parked up on its own

Horse trailers tend not to have these so you would need to put something stury near each corner to make it feel solid when on its own - a number of say 1 inch thick, 6 inch square wood blocks would do it - stack a number of them up under each corner as necessary

 

[Mince Pie]

What I used to do is, after I'd hitched up I took some brightly coloured electrical tape and put some on the trailer and vehicle in line with where the tow hitch was and then all you have to do is line up the tape.

 

[9tails]

Take a look at a caravan as it has 4 wind down legs - 1 near each corner - to stop it tilting in any way when parked up on its own

Horse trailers tend not to have these so you would need to put something stury near each corner to make it feel solid when on its own - a number of say 1 inch thick, 6 inch square wood blocks would do it - stack a number of them up under each corner as necessary

You need to block up both ends of the trailer, as when the horse steps on the ramp into the rear of the trailer it could tip up. Alternatively, you could just hitch up, it's far easier.

 

[NooNoo59]

Yes I think it is! This is where the kick up the backside is needed! I am going ti start tonight just stick his dinner in there and let him get on with it. His last two trips have been to the vets and he took over an hour to load coming back the last time. He just walks into the ramp has a look about and then backs off. If I get cross he just switches off also if I use a stick or the dually. I put him on a long line abd just wait this was working a test until the vets so need to get this back on song!! More trips put shoukd equal more confidence

 

[QueenT]

Ooooh, I know exactly how you feel!!!
I don't want to look stupid out towing either, and I'm afraid to get stuck somewhere so I took lessons - 4 hours total and ganged up with an experienced tower at our stable, she can get in and out anywhere!

Key points from lessons: 1) Don't load horse without being hitched up - ever. Unless the trailer is specifically equipped for it, it's not safe. 2) take your time and plan difficult maneuvres - no need to do backwards what you can do forwards. 3) when reversing, pilot with trailer side lights, move steering wheel towards the light furthest away. 4) when turning backwards, do it slowly and apply small moves to steering wheel. If you need to change direction, straighten up first. And most importantly, swallow your pride, find an empty parking lot, and reverse all the way around it.

When out, my daughter and I have a game of how many cars we can pick up behind us I don't drive slower than trailer limit but it takes the tension out. Our record is 15...;-)