Rules for Working Safely With Horses
Horse handling and riding can be hazardous if you don't follow basic horse safety rules. Whether you are learning to handle your first horse or just enjoy leaning over the fence watching your child take a lesson, learning a few safety precautions will prevent accidents and injuries. The calmest horse or smallest pony has the potential to hurt someone if it is startled or scared. These recommendations may help you avoid kicks, trampled toes, bites, drags, or runaways.
If you are just starting out, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by all you need to remember. But safety rules quickly become habits, just like looking both ways before crossing the street. As John Lyons, an American horse trainer, said, "Human safety is first. Horse safety is second. Everything else is third."
As prey animals, a horse's ability to react quickly and out-run a predator was key to their survival in the wild. This instinct remains strong in domestic horses even though you make every effort to give them a safe environment to live in. They can become startled easily and remain upset long after whatever scared them has passed. Some horses are more reactive than others. For the beginner, it’s best if they start working around a horse that is calm and quiet.
Rules for Safely Handling Horses
Follow these tips to reduce the hazards:
- 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.
