Trailer loading practice - reassurance needed

[em1]

I need to do some more practice loading my youngster into my trailer, but I don't always have access to the 4X4 to hitch it up. The trailer (old Rice) does have the stabiliser feet at the back, so theoretically I can load and unload without having the trailer hitched up. However I have never actually done this before & for some reason I am a bit nervous of trying it. Can anyone reassure me that with the feet down at the back & the wheel at the front & with both ramps down then my trailer will be fully stable & I can happily practice loading & unloading my horse?!!

 

[lilpinkdonkey4]

errr i didnt think that these feet were designed so that a horse can go in it when not hitched... maybe try emailing rice?

 

[Bosworth]

yes you can. It can't tip as the legs support the back and the jockey wheel supports the front - go ahead - you will be fine

 

[the watcher]

I have to say that I would never do this unless the trailer is attached to a vehicle - I have collapsing jockey wheel paranoia - sorry

 

[dozzie]

I practice loading with the feet down but unhitched and have never had a problem. (I wouldnt practice without the legs down unless hitched up as it could tip)

The Rice boxes are good old heavy boxes! Not like your flimsy ifor stuff!!!!

ETA after reading last post... Make sure your Jockey wheel is tight!!!!!!

 

[eashh]

Perfectly safe - I know of a horse that was left in a Rice Trailer at a show for several hours like that while hubby pi**ed off to do the shopping!

 

[xcalicox]

The legs were designed for stability. To enable you to switch tow units if needed with the horse still inside.
TBH I wouldn't want to make a habit of practising without the trailer hitched up, However in principle it's ok.

 

[Ravenwood]

I spent weeks and weeks practising my unloadable mare to load. With both ramps down, unhitched, everyday I fed her in it, walked her through etc. I even put all the ramps up and left her in it for a few minutes while I de-sensitised her to it. No way would I have had the time to hitch up every time. the trailer was parked on level ground with chocks under the wheels and we were fine.

 

[DreamerII]

We have our trailer with concrete blocks under the back (we don't use it very often) and we practice with one pony each day (we have 12 to move in May so we need to get practicing!)

My boy goes in and out at least once a week w/o any problems! Not had an experience witht he legs at the back though so wouldn't know!

I remember when we first got 1 horse and we thought it would be ok to try load him w/o the trailer being hitched up (this 1 didn't have legs at the back)....luckily he was a goodl oader/unloader anyway...but the trailer started to tip (he's a heavy horse too!)....haha never again!

 

[Louby]

Id wondered this too and read on a previous post it was not advised. My horse is a great loader, just wont stay in, so we put the prop stands down for added stability. jockey wheel and the brake on too, it was also attached to vehicle. I just wanted to make it as still as poss for practicing. It was fine at first but when we had progressed to ramp up, he went ballistic, bounced it all over and slightly bent the ramp in his fit to get out. The prop stands although done up tightly had gone back to the up position, so just to let you know if a problem occurs they wont stop it tipping.

 

[BigBird146]

I've got a new Bateson with the load stands at the back, and have been practicing with no problems other than make sure that the ground underneath the stands and jockey wheel is solid (mine sank a bit first time - no alarming tipping just a bit wobbly), so put a couple of concrete flags under each side; it's more solid than when hitched to the car now!!

 

[Ottinmeg]

i dont think i would as whilst practising with my mare the other week (trailer was hitched to the jeep ) she rushed through banging and clattering and lifted the back end of the motor up!