How to move among horses in complete safety

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Horses are large, strong, loving and intelligent animals. Grooming and mounting them is one of the greatest pleasures in life. Take the time to build a relationship with a horse or pony and this will be one of the most rewarding experiences.

Steps

Step 1. Get to know horses and how they communicate

Your efforts will be rewarded in terms of confidence and understanding their temperament. Horses require a lot of observation and listening from those who train or ride them. By observing them, in fact, you will learn to predict their moves and to react appropriately, avoiding any danger. Every trainer or jockey should know that:

• Horses have a defense system. It is a survival mechanism that belongs to their way of being.

  

• Horses have visual limitations. This adds to their volubility and increases the need to act responsibly and cautiously in their presence.

  

• Horses respect social hierarchies based on fear and domination. You will need time and patience to become the pack leader, but by applying the training methods consistently and behaving cautiously in the presence of the horse, you can create a win-win relationship based on trust.

  

• As a trainer, you will undoubtedly have surprising and superb specimens of which you will be able to corroborate the strengths and manage the weak ones by respecting the safety rules relating to the management of the animal, carrying out good training and carefully understanding its needs.

  

Step 2. Always be aware of your position relative to the horse and help him achieve the same awareness as well

Horses react quickly when they become irritated or afraid, regardless of your presence. A frightened or angry horse can wiggle its rear faster than you can imagine, risking to undermine you. The most important thing is to stay close to him and keep a hand on him at all times (when he is safe). The hands are the primary means of communication with the horse (the voice is secondary) and, however illogical it may seem, the closer you are to him, the more difficult it is for him to hurt you. For example, placing your hand on your shoulder or rump will indicate that you are there, even if they cannot see you. This will also help you get away faster if it starts kicking.

• The safest place to stand next to the horse is the shoulders. It's not a guarantee, but horses are less likely to use their front legs to kick. However, this doesn't mean they can't or won't, so be on your guard at all times (see below to stay alert).
• Standing next to him and placing your hand on him, you will notice a sudden increase in tension - and expect a kick - much faster than when standing further away.

Step 3. Regardless of how well you know each other, approach the horse from the side where it can see you

Don't do it right in front or from behind. Get in the habit of always approaching your left shoulder.

Step 4. Never stand directly behind the horse

This is his blind spot and, above all, the space where he demonstrates all his power to kick kicks. Never underestimate the distance a horse's kick covers. Many experienced jockeys were paralyzed and killed in this position.

• When you need to go to the horse's back, place a hand on his hind quarter on the side you are heading towards. Keeping your hand there, bend your elbow on the horse and quickly and calmly step behind its hindquarters without removing hand and arm contact. Keep your body as close to his as possible. Speak in a quiet voice if he is used to listening to you. Maintaining hand and arm contact will let him know that you are still there and prevent him from getting scared.

  

• If you are not comfortable with this method, especially if you are a beginner or if you do not know the horse, to reach the other side walk beyond the radius where it can kick.

  

• Never stoop under the horse's belly or neck. He is almost guaranteed to get scared, as the movement is fast, low and out of his sight. You risk him kicking and stepping on you. Also, it may lift up and hit you with its front paws.

  

• When you are in the stable with the horse, do not let anyone block you from the outside in.

  

• When grooming the horse's back, stand to the side and face the back. Use one hand to brush its tail and the other rest it near its hindquarters.

  

Step 5. Talk and behave calmly in the presence of the horses

Horses teach you to stay calm and patient, and in fact, this is exactly the kind of temperament that communicates best with them.

• Do not yell or shout at a horse.
• To scold him, keep your voice high and no more.
• Be calm and reassuring when you talk to him so that he becomes familiar with your presence. Talk to him rather than him.

Step 6. Stay alert at all times

Check out what might scare him, such as children running, a car approaching, or even some oddity he sees, like hay bales put in a new place. Look at the horse's ears often - if they point upward, it is expressing attention and curiosity. If you see that his eyes widen (with white all around the pupil, as with humans), it means that he is scared. In this case, talk to him calmly and, if you can, find a place where he feels more comfortable.

Don't run and scream with the horses. They can be frightened by sudden noises. Encourage others around you to calm down and move slowly

Step 7. Desensitize the horse or try to "sack out" if necessary

If you have common objects in the pen that cause the horse to fidget, it is important to teach him not to be frightened. The "sack out" is a training method used to make the horse accept the presence of objects through the sense of smell and sight, without giving him permission to leave. You can resort to this desensitization technique whenever something seems to be bothering him. This is an operation that requires understanding, patience and perseverance, but the results will be worth it, as the animal will understand that these objects no longer pose a threat to him.

For more information, read part 4 of the wikiHow article to learn how to [a horse]

Step 8. Always make sure there are other people nearby when working with a horse

No one should handle the horses or ride them without someone nearby to assist in case of a problem. Beginners shouldn't stand around horses without any help. An experienced person must be present at all times until you become more competent. As you become more confident, it is good that there is still someone close enough to hear your voice if something goes wrong or needs help.

• Manage the horses in a well-kept stable with the support of experienced people.
• Ask someone to cooperate or be around you, so if you get hurt, there is someone who can help you.

Step 9. Instruct the horse to accept the bridle by tying it to a pole or holding it between other animals

It is essential when the vet, farrier or someone else has to do some work on the horse. The animal must be able to remain calm, without pawing and fidgeting. Use these methods when grooming and washing your dog. It is best if the horse gets used to doing all of these things, because he will have to feel comfortable when taking a blood draw or when grooming and washing him, while he is harnessed or tied to a pole. Reward him when he is disciplined and scold him when he is pawing or impatient.

• Get used to lifting his paws from the start. He should be comfortable with lifting both his front and hind legs, so teach him at the right time. Farriers and veterinarians should have easy access to the hooves at all times.
• Be rather cautious when maneuvering the horse's hind legs. They can deliver powerful kicks if they decide to do so. Be on guard and stand sideways, not in front of the hind legs. As you gently lift your leg, press the horse by saying "raise" or "up" (to feed it). Let the paw rest on your thighs or legs, bend the knee and clean the hoof with one hand, while holding it still with the other. Stay close to him as you gently release the paw and praise him every time.

Step 10. Lead the horse carefully

As always, be aware of your position in relation to the horse and be on your guard. Stay close to the neck, behind the back of the head, but on the side of the left shoulder. From here you will have good control and eye contact with the animal.

• To hold the bridle, place your right hand on the rope just below the snap lock.
• Hold the rest of the string gathered in your hand and hanging from the sides. Never hold more than one turn of the rope around the hand, as it could break or even amputate if the horse becomes frightened and tries to escape. Also, you risk getting dragged if you keep running.
• Proceed to give other directions, such as "walk". Adjust your pace to that of the horse.
• Check in advance when something might scare him. If you see something, react calmly, try to remove the object or take it in a different direction.

Step 11. Wear appropriate clothing to train and mount the horse

The clothing will protect you from any falls and reactions from the animal, make you more visible, prevent you from getting entangled in any part of the horse's equipment and much more. Suitable clothing includes:

• Boots: They should be leather. Do not wear steel-toed boots. If the horse steps on your foot, the steel can cut your toes. When you are in the saddle, the boots must have a low heel.

  

• Helmet: Wear a helmet whenever you ride or mount the horse. Must have a security band and less than 5 years old. It must be free of dents and must be stored properly. It must comply with the latest safety standards.

  

• Body Protectors: Must fit comfortably, be under 5 years old and comply with the latest safety standards.

  

• Glasses: If you wear glasses, they should have a flexible frame. Contact lenses increase the likelihood of getting dust and hair into the eyes. Ask your trusted optician.

  

• Free Elements: Set free elements. Long hair should be pulled back, while zippered jackets should avoid frightening the animal.

  

• Gloves: Gloves and long sleeves help protect you against minor injuries.

  

• Discomforting Clothing: Comfortable, seamless underwear and riding breeches can help prevent chafing and irritation.

  

• Visibility: When you are in the saddle in the evening or in any situation where there is not much sun, always wear something fluorescent.

  

Step 12. Make sure the harness is appropriate

Check that the harnesses are the correct size and shape for the horse. Check for wear damage, such as cracking due to tension in the leather, and check the quality of the stitching. If the equipment breaks or breaks suddenly, it is a risk to your safety.

Step 13. Check the positioning of the harness both before and during the ride

• Before mounting, be sure to check the girth and that the saddle is in the right place.

  

• Check that all the bridles are not loose, otherwise you will bump into another horse when you try to stop yours.

  

• Make sure that the stirrups are fixed at the right length and that when you ride, they make sure that your weight always falls on your heels.

  

• Use a neck strap while riding. It won't interfere between you and the horse and will give you something else to grab when you try to take the reins, but can't. A spare leather cord makes a great neck strap.

  

Step 14. Think about safety when releasing the horse after riding it

To ensure that no careless accidents occur, there are some important considerations to make regarding end-of-stroke safety. Since both you and the horse will be more tired at the end of the ride, it is useful to perform a check and it is vital that the horse is well trained to refrain from kicking. Here is what will ensure your safety as you release the horse after riding it:

• Put the halter on it and tie it to a pole or other point before removing the harness. Use an easy-to-untie knot.

  

• Wash him, groom him, and talk to him. Then, take a little walk to relax together.

  

• Take him to graze. Teach him early not to run away and to stay calm next to you tied by the halter.

  

• Remove the halter. Give him a few pat and praise him for his quiet demeanor. He must be able to stand next to you until you release him.

  

• If you bring it back to the stable, more or less the same recommendations apply. He must be able to stand and wait patiently for you to remove the halter before he can eat. It is absolutely essential that they behave well inside the barn, especially for your safety.

  

Advice

• There are other times when safety will be a matter of prime importance. For example, teach him early to get in and out of the horse trailer, even if you don't plan on using it. You will never know when it may be necessary to take your horse to a vet or change where you keep it.
• If you sign up for a horse show, you need to consider additional safety regulations, which concern adaptation to a new stable, the way to act in the presence of many people, sometimes the bad behavior of people, the noises associated with the shows, etc. Learn all you can about how other people, by showing their horses at exhibitions, make things easier for their animals and put safety above everything.
• Learn to tie a horse securely in the absence of a place to attach it. Sometimes you may need to know how to do this when you go out on horseback and have to stop somewhere. It is important to tie him up properly because a frightened horse can hurt himself and potentially you too, injuring other people and animals if tied badly. Do not tie it to anything that can move, such as hollow objects, fence boards, door handles, etc. Always look for a solid object, such as fairly firm rings, steel railings, and fences. Use an easy-to-release knot to untie it quickly.

Warnings

• You should learn to spot the signs that go wild well before they occur. Be careful at all times.
• If you have the impression that the horse is in a bad mood or that in some way it could put you in danger, stay alert, but do not give up immediately or the bad behavior will consolidate.
• Do not ride, train and, in some cases, not even manage a horse alone.
• Never go behind a horse, unless it has a very strong bond with you.
• Always wear a helmet when riding, whatever your age, but especially if you are a child or a boy.
• Don't run and don't make loud noises around the horse, as this could scare and hurt you.