I sympathize! Trailer troubles scare the dickens out of me. When Bay was young and my friend had him, he'd hurt himself a couple times refusing to load in an older straight load that was really not big enough for him, but all he had.
He got over loading problems with the endurance racer.... lots and lots of trailering. If they can have a few good experiences, you'll get him over it if you're careful.
Oh, I know. Rusty didn't like getting in when I got him, but he just jumps in now. In fact if the trailer is hooked up and the door open, he has jumped in by himself when he is loose in the front yard. It's kind of funny. He'll get in then turn around and stand there and look out around the side to see if we all see him in there.
Harley was not bad. Just seem hesitant the closer he got, then would go flying backwards. I put a rope halter on him that has baling wire wrapped around the poll strap, so it puts lots of pressure on the the polls. That shut the going backwards down real fast. Then it was a matter of one step at a time up to it. Pressure, one step forward, release pressure, pat him, pressure again, etc.
I just had trouble keeping him from flying back since I had no one to stand behind him. When we loaded him where I bought him I was walking behind him. I think that's all it will take for awhile. But I was by myself today.
Becky
I keep putting this off with mine:'( I found what I wanted but it's 3800 dollars. It's so hard for me to turn loose of that much money for me. We are going back next weekend to get it (I guess) if it's still for sale.