5 Ways to Act Around Horses If You Are a Beginner
If you are new to the horse community there are some things you will need to learn before going to the barn. Horses are animals so they think, feel, and behave all on their own terms. It is important to know how to act around these animals to ensure your safety. Horses are flight animals which means when they are scared or frightened they are quick to turn around and run in the opposite direction. It is important for us as humans to keep this in mind and act calm around them to make them feel safe.
Use a friendly tone of voice- When we are around horses they pick up on our body language and our tone of voice just like small children or dogs do. Horses may not speak our language but they definitely understand us. When we use an aggressive tone of voice the horse might be weary of our actions and start to get nervous. Talk in a calm tone of voice to or around horses.
Pay attention to the horses body language- In my intro I mentioned that horses are flight animals so if you noticed that a horse is getting nervous quickly but calmly grab a more experienced person to help calm the horse. You can tell if a horse is nervous or frightened when they start talking (neighing), moving their feet around (dancing), if they are swaying their head back and forth or they are sweating profusely. If you see any of these signs do not approach the horse because it might lead to the horse acting out in fear
Create a calm and positive atmosphere- When we are in a rush we tend to run around. Running around horses can make them nervous because in the wild if part of their herd is running they start to join in and run in the same direction. They are smart and quick to flee the scene. This is why It is important to walk calmly when near them.
Be strong and confident-When we are confident around horses it makes them feel safe and unfearful. Horses are herd animals and we turned them into pets and companions. We became part of their herd so they see you as an equal. If we are fearful or frightened over something the horse may sense your fear and act out. Be confident when you are around them and it will rub off on them.
Always let the horse know where you are- Horses do not have the best line of vision and this is because their eyes are placed on the side of their heads. Horses can not see what is behind them unless they turn their head. When walking up to a horse it is important to use your voice so they can hear where you are coming from. Sneaking up on a horse can be very dangerous and can lead to serious injuries. If you are close up, guide your hand all the way around the horse so they can sense where you are at. If you are new to a horse, never walk directly behind them; their first instinct is to kick with both their back legs.
Before you go to a barn or get near horses make sure you do research on how they communicate and think. It is important to be safe around these animals at all times because they are bigger than us and injure or kill us within seconds.
If you have any questions about how to be safe around horses or any other questions about riding, send us an email on our contact form and we will help you out