Slightly ignorant loading question

[kit279]

I've just traded up my lorry for a trailer but the problem is that I've (ahem) never actually loaded my boys into a trailer before. They hop on and off the lorry with no problems, travelling herringbone, and they're such easy going guys that I'm sure that they won't be fazed by the trailer. However, I just wondered how you actually load two horses into the trailer.

I was planning to take the less brave one and open up the partition to make it more inviting, then once he's in and settled to put in the other one who is bolder. Is it usually a squeeze to get the 2nd one in? Should I put the braver one in 1st to give the other one a bit more courage?

 

[Cop-Pop]

I'd load the confident one first to give the other one a lead, but you might find it works better the other way round. My mare will load herself into a lorry but getting her into a trailer takes about an hour

 

[allijudd]

load theconfident one first, that will encourage the other one in aswell...however load the heaviest one on the drivers side....

 

[fairhill]

I have to load my nervous one first with the partition open wide, then once she's in load the other one.
I do it this way because it can appear to be a squeeze with the partition closed, and also it stops the patient horse getting fed up on the trailer if it takes a while to load the other.

I've had some success by leading the confident one through, and down the front ramp, and having the nervous one follow, but you need lots of helpers to do this!

Good luck