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On The Ground
All horses should be taught to understand
basic commands and to respond accordingly.
They should be taught to stand still and
walk clear of the handler when being led
from
either side. The handler should wear gloves
when leading, and lead ropes or lunge lines
should not be wrapped around the hand or
permitted to trail on the ground.
Horses should be tied up when being
groomed or tacked-up, even in a stable.
This enables the handler to move quietly and
confidently around the horse, without the
danger of being trapped in a corner.
When tied, a horse should be wearing a
well-fitting head collar, with the lead rope
secured through a loop of string attached to
the tying-up ring. If a horse panics
and pulls back forcefully, the string will
break, minimizing the chance of the animal
slipping over and being injured. A horse
should not be tied by any other means.
Attaching the rope to the bit or tying the
horse by its reins may cause serious injury
and
long-term fear.
A handler should be aware of the safest
position to adopt for the task being carried
out.
Standing directly behind or in front of a
horse can increase the risk of being injured
should the horse strike out with a limb.
When holding a horse that is being clipped
or
treated by a veterinary surgeon or farrier,
the handler should stand on the same side as
the attendant.
When attending to a horse’s feet and legs
(such as when applying boots or bandages),
the handler should squat beside the horse
(not sit or kneel), enabling a quick
reaction
should the need arise.
Care should be taken when lifting a
horse’s leg. When picking up a hind leg, the
handler’s arm should rest in front of the
animal’s cannon bone. If a horse pulls the
leg
away the handler can take preventive
measures and will be less likely to be
kicked.
To remove a head collar when turning a
horse loose in the field or stable, the
horse
should first be led into the turn-out area
and then turned around to face the door or
gate
before being released. This will minimize
the chances of the handler being trampled or
kicked by an excited animal.
Feeding horses in a field or taking a
bucket of food to catch a particular horse
in an area
where several animals are being kept can
pose a significant risk of aggression and
injury to both horses and handlers.
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