Rules for Safely Handling Horses
Wear sturdy hard-toed shoes or boots that will protect your feet if the horse or pony steps on them. Do not wear sandals, flip-flops, mesh athletic shoes or any thin shoes in a stable or around horses.
Get the horse's attention before approaching or touching and always approach the horse from the front.
Be calm and quiet. Sudden moves or loud noises can cause a horse to shy (jump sideways) or kick out.
Feed treats from buckets or tubs. Horses can very quickly become greedy and mistake fingers for carrots.
When tying, use a quick-release knot or panic snap so that if your horse gets scared and pulls it can quickly be freed. The feeling of being constrained can make a scared horse panic to the point of hurting itself or you.
The safest place to stand is beside your horse's shoulder where you can see each other, or about 10 or more feet away unless you are grooming, tacking up or otherwise interacting with your horse.
Never stand directly behind a horse. If you are grooming its tail, stand to one side and pull the tail gently towards you.
When cleaning a horse's hooves or putting on leg bandages, don't squat or kneel. Bend over so that if the horse moves you can get out of the way quickly.
When grooming, saddling up, or cleaning your horse's stall, tie your horse up. A loose horse in a barn can cause havoc. And don't leave a tied horse unattended. While mucking out, it’s safest if the horse is turned out or put in another stall.
Never loop lead ropes, longe lines, or reins around your hands or any other body part. If your horse pulls away, you could be dragged. Don’t tie yourself to a horse in any way.
The safest way to lead a horse is with a halter and lead rope. Don't hook your fingers through the halter straps, rings, or the bit. If the horse pulls away, your fingers could be caught, injuring them or catching your hand so that you are dragged.
When going through a doorway, make sure the door is wide open so the horse doesn't hit itself on it. This can startle the horse and result in you being trampled or dragged. If the door is narrow, go through first, make the horse wait, and then have it go through after you as you stand to the side.
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