Horse-Handling Safety Guidelines
Horse handling and riding may be dangerous if fundamental horse safety guidelines are not followed. Whether you are learning to ride your first horse or simply enjoy watching your youngster take a lesson, following a few safety steps will help you avoid accidents and injuries. If a horse or pony is frightened or afraid, it has the ability to injure someone. These suggestions may assist you in avoiding kicks, stomped toes, bites, pulls, or runaways. If you’re just starting off, you might feel a little overwhelmed by all you need to remember. However, safety regulations, such as looking both ways before crossing the street, rapidly become habits. As John Lyons put it, “The priority is human safety. Horse safety comes in second. Everything else comes in third.”
As prey animals, the ability of a horse to respond swiftly and outrun a predator was critical to their survival in the wild. Even if you make every attempt to provide a safe environment for your domestic horses, this drive remains strong. They are easily frightened and might be agitated for a long time after whatever terrified them has passed. Some horses react more quickly than others. It is recommended for the novice to begin with a calm and quiet horse.
Horse-Handling Safety Guidelines:
To lessen the risks, follow these guidelines:
- Wear hard-toed shoes or boots to protect your feet if the horse or pony steps on them. In a stable or among horses, do not wear sandals, flip-flops, mesh athletic shoes, or any flimsy shoes.
- Before approaching or touching the horse, get its attention, and always approach from the front.
- Keep your cool. A horse may shy (jump sideways) or strike out in response to sudden movements or loud noises.
- Treats should be fed from buckets or tubs. Horses can grow hungry extremely fast and mistake fingers for carrots.
- When tying, use a quick-release knot or panic snap so that your horse may be swiftly freed if it becomes terrified and pulls. The sensation of being restrained might cause a terrified horse to panic and injure itself or you.
- Unless you are grooming, tacking up, or otherwise interacting with your horse, the safest position to stand is alongside your horse’s shoulder where you can see each other, or about 10 or more feet away.
- Never go too close to a horse. When grooming its tail, stand to one side and gently draw the tail towards you.
- Squat or kneel when cleaning a horse’s hooves or putting on leg bandages. Bend over so you can get out of the path quickly if the horse moves.
- Tie your horse up when grooming, saddling up or cleaning his stable. A stray horse in a barn may wreak havoc. Also, never leave a tethered horse unattended. It is best if the horse is turned out or placed in another stall while mucking out.
- Lead ropes, longe lines, and reins should never be wrapped around your hands or any other body part. You may be pulled if your horse pulls away. Don’t ever bind yourself to a horse.
- A halter and lead rope are the safest way to lead a horse. Don’t get your fingers caught in the halter straps, rings, or the bit. If the horse pulls away, your fingers may get snagged, hurting them or capturing your hand and dragging you.
- When passing through a doorway, make sure the door is completely open so the horse does not collide with it. This may shock the horse and cause you to be trampled or pulled. If the door is narrow, step in first, wait for the horse, and then have it follow you while you stand to the side.
