SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/horse-trailer-butt-bar-first

After a horse walks into a trailer, what do you do first?

Secure the butt bar or chain, then tie the head.

Start playing free

  1. Tie the head tightly
  2. Secure the butt bar or chain ✔
  3. Close the windows

Why: Rutgers says always secure the butt bar or chain before tying the horse's head. A tied horse that pulls back with no bar behind it can break the tie or halter and fall.

Huh, didn't know that: Rutgers says don't stand directly behind the horse when hooking the butt bar.

The dad joke
Why does the butt bar go on first? Because safety always has your back.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Secure the butt bar or chain. Rutgers says always secure the butt bar or chain before tying the horse's head. A tied horse that pulls back with no bar behind it can break the tie or halter and fall.

  1. Rutgers Equine Science Center: Horse Trailer Maintenance and Trailering Safety esc.rutgers.edu/fact_sheet/horse-trailer-maintenance-and-trailering-safety-2
    Always secure the butt bar/chain before tying the horse's head.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

HorsesUnloading a tied horse from a trailer, what must you do before undoing the butt chain or bar?HorsesWhen can you load a horse into a trailer?HorsesHauling just one horse in a two-horse trailer, which side should it ride on?

That's stuff everyone should know.