I think it's always a little risky getting a horse out of a trailer. I see what you're saying about jumping out but asking a mini to back out of something that at least in the case of my trailer is higher than his hocks is difficult. It would be very, very easy for him to slip and fall over backwards! Especially on wet concrete. I've actually had a horse's hoof slip forward under the trailer, banging the cannon pretty good and torquing the lower back. The horse was quite sore after that.Minimor said:Since then we've been backing the horses out, & I feel that is safer--they learn that it's necessary to step back and down quietly, and there are fewer ways for them to hurt themselves. Jumping out--there are multiple ways for them to hurt themselves--be especially careful if your trailer is one that has the center divider post at the back.