trailer loading my year and a half old stud colt.

Question
I have a colt and we have trained him just the last 2 months to trust humans and he is doing well enough where he will follow me everywhere, and i have interdused him to the trailer and he acts like the only way he will get in is if i go first, cause i have walked up into the trailer and he does act like he will hop right in but i have not let him because i do not want to be trapped incase he decides to go nuts, he will try but i need that last nugg to get him to hop in. can you please help.

Answer
My first question would be what kind of trailer are you using? Do you have a slant load, a straight load, or an open box trailer?

With an open box trailer I would recommend that you do go ahead of your colt. There is lots of room in an open box.

If it's a straight load, do you have an escape hatch in the front? Same thing goes with this kind of trailer... you load the horse in, leading him straight in, and then hop out of the hatch when he's in.

A straight load trailer should give you enough time to stand to the side when your horse gets onto the trailer.

If you're still worried about getting into the trailer with your horse (which is a perfectly legitimate fear), then string a long rope from his halter, through the trailer and out a window. You can stand up at the window so he can still see you but not be in any danger of being trapped.

As well, when you finally do get to the stage of letting your colt enter the trailer, start very slowly. Let him go one foot at a time if you have to... one foot in, and back out, two feet in, back out, etc.

Good luck, and I hope that I've answered your question!