Working Around Horses Safely

Safely Working Around Horses

  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM
A

Introduction

Introduction » Know the Horse's Limits and Yours » Catching a Horse in the Stall » Tack, and Important Consideration » Leading the Horse » Holding the Horse: Working the Front » Holding the Horse: Working the Back » Using a Twitch For Restraint » More Info & Discussions

Horses at their very best are heavy, fast, and reactive. Most horses react unexpectedly to sights, sounds, and even odors. Horses at their worse can intentionally attack with a number of weapons that include their teeth, feet, head and body. Fortunately horses that are dangerously aggressive towards people are rare. In spite of the generally kind nature of horses, when you work with a horse on the ground you have to be aware that you never know when a horse may jump unexpectedly. Though most horses are not aggressive, exposing him to adverse stimulus, like an injection, may cause him to resist or fight. Where you are standing and how you have that horse restrained will effect whether you are hurt of not. This article discusses handling horses safely on the ground. Links to articles on how to deal with training issues or problems are provided. Note : when we use the term shoulder in this article, we are talking about the point of the shoulder of the horse.

Know the Horse's Limits and Yours

Introduction » Know the Horse's Limits and Yours » Catching a Horse in the Stall » Tack, and Important Consideration » Leading the Horse » Holding the Horse: Working the Front » Holding the Horse: Working the Back » Using a Twitch For Restraint » More Info & Discussions

Staying safe around horses involves working with horses that are safe or at least within your abilities and experience. This means an accurate assessment of your abilities and the abilities of horses you are dealing with.

What is the critical factor when assessing a horse's ease of handling? It simply is his willingness to give to pressure. When you pull on the halter, will he respond by giving or will he pull back. When you place pressure on his side, will he move away or will he push back. These are the basic components of halter training, ...more. If at any time you feel over your head with a horse you do not know, stop and rethink what you are about to do. Would it be better to wait until someone familiar with the horse or situation is there?

Catching a Horse in the Stall

Introduction » Know the Horse's Limits and Yours » Catching a Horse in the Stall » Tack, and Important Consideration » Leading the Horse » Holding the Horse: Working the Front » Holding the Horse: Working the Back » Using a Twitch For Restraint » More Info & Discussions

                       
You have just read the beginning of this article. To access the unabridged article become a Member of Horseadvice.com! Your membership gets you instant access to this and over 600 articles on our site. Other benefits of your membership include participation in our discussion boards and access to our one button PubMed search tool for each topic.

Horseadvice can teach you to be a more knowledgeable horse owner which leads to a healthier horse and save you money. Really, we guarantee it. Come Join Us!
Viewing 13 topics - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
Viewing 13 topics - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
  • You must be logged in to create new topics.