There must be quicker (and quite likely better) ways, but what I did worked, and now Sabrina just walks right into the trailer without even a tap. I was really motivated to get her very willing to just hop in because there is no place to ride around here - we have to trailer every place we go. I cannot have a trailer-phobic horse.

Before I bought Sabrina I did ask her owner to show me that she would get in a trailer. He walked her right into a big ol' stock trailer without a second thought, stood there, turned around and walked out. Cool. At least she wasn't scared of trailers in general. He was even nice enough to deliver her (I didn't want my very first hauling experience to be 60 miles of twisty, mountain roads) - he hauls horses professionally.

Of course, my trailer (two-horse slant) was a new and different thing. And so was I - why should she trust or listen to me?

I faithfully tried the John Lyons technique (I bought the video before I went horse shopping), and that worked, to a point. What I ended up with was a horse who would happily do what my husband called "The Horsey Pokey" - you put your right foot in, you put your right foot out... ;-) She thought that was what I wanted.

Eventually we somehow got into a situation where I'd tap tap tap, and she'd back away from the trailer and plant her feet and glare at me (I think she's part mule). Then eventually she wouldn't even get near the trailer. She had learned that the trailer was Bad News and meant she was in for lots of annoying tapping with a whip. Not her idea of fun. I'm sure I was doing something wrong. We couldn't go anywhere, not even to take lessons. Doh! Just notice if you're doing any technique and it starts not working for you - then change your approach.

So I did away with the whip and decided that the trailer would be only a happy and fun place to be. Petting and treats happen near the trailer. Yummy food is in the feeder. The trailer goes to fun places, and I drive slowly and carefully (that's very important if you want them to get in the second time). I'd coax her in with carrots and treats (don't even think about rushing - they can sense it). I'd do stuff like get her in the trailer, feed her some hay, and put her away for the day. As we got better at it sometimes I'd take her (and still do) to the place where I ride her, and just turn her out and let her play in their big arena, then bring her home. I didn't want her thinking "Oh no - the trailer! That means a day of hard work!" Even now I always work in some fun for her on our adventures. She always gets some turn out time, or at the very least a chance to roll in the arena after a lesson.

We had some bad moments - like once where it took hours to get her in the trailer (to get home!) - it was getting dark, I had work to do - but I was not going to force or frighten her in - people kept trying to "help". I could've cried I was so frustrated. I finally accepted the help of the ranch manager who used a lip chain and a coiled lasso around her butt, and (very gently and quietly, I might add) walked her right in. (She was just having a little fun at my expense, and new she'd been had when he showed up.)

In all it took about a year, and for a while I had to at least have a whip, or she'd just stand there - show her the whip, she'd walk in. But now I just throw the lead rope over her back and she walks in. :-) That's a long time, I know, but I'm hoping that now for the next 20 years she'll be happy to get in whenever I ask.

The bottom line of that I guess is use whatever approach you want (tapping, bribery, etc.) but be sure the horse knows the trailer isn't a sign of a miserable day to come, or you'll definitely have trouble.

A couple of other miscellaneous thoughts:

--- Open up everything you can on the trailer (windows, ceiling vents, doors, etc.) so the trailer is as airy and bright as possible.

--- Be sure the footing is familiar (and secure). We have mats and shavings in the run-in shed, and mats and shavings in the trailer.

--- It would be nice (at least at first) if the trailer didn't smell too much like other horses. You might try tossing a forkful of this horse's manure in there, so it smells familiar.

--- Be patient and quiet. In my very limited experience there is nothing like a bunch of helpers pulling, pushing, and shouting (not that you were going to do that), to convince a horse that getting in the trailer isn't a good idea. Aside from possibly one other person standing at the drop-down window quietly offering carrots (and that one time with the ranch manager) I haven't found "helpers" to be helpful.

--- Have little goals (for now) and celebrate small bits of progress. Maybe start with walking around the trailer once (as if you couldn't care less that it's there), and leaving it at that for the day. By the way, it took me 6 weeks of consistent (almost daily) work to get Eeyore (donkey) to load, but he was very trailer phobic (and he's a donkey).

Also, remember that if you're trying the John Lyons thing, the horse has to know already that the tapping means to go forward. Of course, he might still refuse to do that, but be sure (away from the trailer) that he's clear on that cue.

You might get creative with the cue, too. If I tap Eeyore with anything, he bunches up his feet and hunkers down like I'm beating him. What I did with him was make a little pen (out of fencing, a wall, the trailer doors, etc.) and spray him with a spray bottle of water (no halter, no pushing/pulling). If he stood near the trailer he was safe, but if he got too far away he'd get sprayed. He wasn't scared or hurt, but hates being sprayed - like a cat. Near the trailer meant ear rubs, treats, and kind words. Away from the trailer meant spray (no shouting or hitting). I just kept moving the "safe" area until one day he just stepped into the trailer and stood there.

Hang in there, and remember that your investment of time now should get you back years of easy loading. Good luck!