The Green Horseman

I have always trailered my horses to a location to ride and saddled them on the side of the trailer. The horses eat from a hay bag while we groom and tack up. It’s always been my normal. Stanley doesn’t always trailer well to places. When we arrive he can be anxious and difficult to get standing at the trailer. His attention is focused on all of his surroundings…and likely all of the potential dangers. His butt swings back and forth as he looks around, not frantically but not calm and relaxed, either. I’ve always assumed that with more experience he will learn to settle in and he’s simply just green. Some people agree with that notion while others claim their horse never outgrew it.

When I’m trailering somewhere alone I can be a little more anxious about his busy feet. The tension often begins to subside once I mount up and begin riding.

It was suggested to me by someone for whom I have a lot of respect that I trailer Stanley with his tack on. Simply saddle up, put the saddle cover on, and load up. I had never considered it before, but I thought about it and decided to give it a go.

I gave Stanley his snacks while I groomed him and tacked him up. He was calm and relaxed. I put his boots on and loaded him in the trailer. Since I ride English my stirrups were properly done up and the saddle cover fit nicely over everything to prevent rubs and so nothing could get caught up on anything. When we arrived, I greeted him happily and put his bridle on. We backed on the trailer, I removed the saddle cover and walked him around. Once he walked a minute or two I was able to tighten the girth (after checking that the saddle was still in the right place) and go about our business.

It was a game changer!

Stanley is the type of horse who likes to see things. He wants to be allowed to look around his environment. I really can’t blame him either. As a prey animal our horses are expected to go to a foreign location and immediately stand tied with their backs to any and all potential danger while we tack up. Some horses can do that and maybe Stanley will someday (he does do it sometimes). Because we weren’t tied up to the trailer immediately, I could instead give him a walk and look around. His demeanor changed entirely.

So far this year I have been taking Stanley tacked up anywhere I go that is under 45-60 minutes away. Anything farther I will simply give him a walk around before tying him to the trailer. Our lessons and shows have all been positive experiences because of this simple change.

I have heard some people express concern about trailering with tack being dangerous. Hanging stirrups. cinches, or any loose items can pose a risk of getting hung up on hardware or latches. As we know, horses create magical new ways to hurt themselves. I have mostly trailered with his english saddle, so the saddle itself posed no risk…the saddle cover kept the stirrups and leather protected. The breastplate COULD catch on something, but it is fitted to him properly and I do examine him before we get out of the trailer. For western saddles the trailering may prove riskier but I know people who have done it without issue.

I also thought of the saddle being too wide and causing Stanley discomfort during his ride. The truth is the English saddle doesn’t create too much more width the way it sits. the stirrups being done up mean they sit higher on the saddle and don’t contribute to the overall width. That said I do like to give him extra space when I can by securing a divider back and doubling up his stall (I have a slant load). Additionally, I don’t overly tighten the girth. Enough that it won’t slip and slide down to his barrel, but I always need to go up at least one hole on each side before mounting up.

I think what it all comes down to is like always, a proper evaluation of each individual situation. It won’t work for everyone, but it could really help others. The horse’s personality, the horse’s size, the trailer configuration and fittings, the tack, the length of the drive all play a role and it’s our responsibility to find what works to give our horses a safe and positive experience.