Featured Video: Backing Up the Horse Trailer

The first time that I borrowed a truck and trailer to take my horse to a show, I had to back the trailer up to the barn by myself when I got back home. I did it perfectly. Maybe I’m an exceptionally skillful driver. Maybe it was beginner’s luck. But the thing that stands out to me is that there was literally no one present when I did it. No one to witness my trailer-backing prowess. Of course, if there had been anyone there watching, I probably would have royally messed it up under the pressure, like this guy in a commercial for Volkswagen’s Trailer Assist. At least the horses are getting their entertainment for the day.

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Leslie Potter

Leslie Potter is a graduate of William Woods University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Science with a concentration in saddle seat riding and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communications. She is currently a writer and photographer in Lexington, Ky. Potter worked as a barn manager and riding instructor and was a freelance reporter and photographer for the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Horse Report before moving to Lexington to join Horse Illustrated as Web Editor from 2008 to 2019. Her current equestrian pursuits include being a grown-up lesson kid at an eventing barn and trail riding with her senior Morgan gelding, Snoopy.

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View Comments

Marion says:

September 19, 2016 at 5:38 am

Absolutely hysterical! First off what is trailer assist? You don't have that on 350 dually's when back up 54 feet of rig! I could have put my big rig in that place! LOL along with the horses!
Sherry says:

September 20, 2016 at 5:56 am

That's because it's a male driver! LOL! Let a woman show you how it's done! We don't need trailer assistance from some manufactura! LOL!
Anne says:

September 23, 2016 at 5:44 am

Okay, of course I look for detail, and at one point there was a horse in that trailer! SO why did he back into a non unloading area!
Carol says:

September 26, 2016 at 6:00 am

Really, real horsemen and horsewomen don't need back up assistance to park a rig! LOL!
Marion says:

October 3, 2016 at 5:34 am

Okay, so now I'm looking for finer detail! First trailer was black with white top and a palomino in it, sure hope that horse didn't get thrown off balance the way he pulled away mad! Now comes the VW with a totally different trailer, all silver stream line, with a different driver! Okay done with being anal about the video!
k says:

October 9, 2016 at 5:41 am

Nicker Nicker Snicker!!!!!!!!!!
Rob says:

November 6, 2016 at 5:30 am

Ha Ha HA, would love to see that guy driving my 18 wheeler! I'm with you horses!
CeCe says:

January 30, 2017 at 3:57 am

OMG this is hysterical!
Robbie says:

November 10, 2017 at 3:54 am

Just want to know, how does that auto back up know that there's a trailer back there???
Bonnie says:

December 21, 2017 at 3:54 am

Horse funnies for sure! I bet they wonder some times what the heck is going on! Let me out! Nicker!