Advice re handling horses

[Ali C]

Hello everyone

I've been riding for about 8 months now and am getting keener by the day! However, I haven't really had much to do with handling horses - until recently I would arrive at the stable and my horse would already be tacked up and ready for me and then taken from me after the lesson (people just being kind rather than me being lazy!)

Over the last few weeks I have been at the stables more, learning how to tack up and muck out, etc, but I'm still a bit nervous around the horses themselves. I know after 8 months I should be more confident and I am with some of them but if the horse seems a bit nervy I find I don't know how to react which probably makes it worse!

Please can anyone advise me? Or is there a book I could read on horse psychology or how to handle horses that anyone could recommend? I'm not sure what constitutes "good manners" and what's acceptable, eg, if the horse starts nudging me with his nose is that bad manners or is he just wanting attention?

Sorry to appear so unknowledgeable. I would really appreciate some advice. Many thanks!

Ali

[Wally]

Michael Peace and Lesley Bailey is a good book. Can't remember the exact title.

[Horsey Bird]

Hi Ali C
If your interested in horse psychology I've read the following 2 books and found them excellent;

1. Nature of Horses by Stephen Budiansky
2. The Behaviour of Horses by Marthe Kiley-Worthington.

As for being nervous around them.....dont worry, it comes with time. Once you get used to handling them, you start to anticipate what they're likely to do when you're grooming them, or which horse hates having his girth done up etc. Once you get that "knowledgeable" around them, you'll find it much easier to be confident.

Happy reading!

[Ali C]

Thanks very much for the advice. I better put the books on my Christmas List! I'm off to the stables tomorrow just to hang around and help out where I can which I am really looking forward to.

Have a happy Christmas!

Ali

[Ipsa]

You might also enjoy Perfect Manners by Kelly Marks.

[Gracie]

Aww don't worry! Its much harder to handle a horse from the ground then in the saddle (*If find this anywhere!) And big trainers have always said to me your safer in the saddle! You'll get better with time, and with the help of the books that others have advised you to read. I just wanted to wish you best of luck!

[chev]

There's "The Horse's Mind" by Lucy Rees, gives you an idea of how horses behave the way they do and a rough guide to horse body language, also one by Richard Maxwell and Lesley Bailey which also has a kind of problem solving section.

I'd recommend Perfect Manners too. More useful than anything though is just spending time with horses, learning to stay calm and confident around them and just enjoying yourself! Don't worry, it'll come with time. Good luck!

[Ali C]

Thanks everyone for your support. I spent some time at the stables over the Christmas period - mucking out, grooming, tacking up, filling haynets, helping in a lesson and generally getting very muddy! I know I've got a long way to go yet but it definitely helped out on the confidence front and I'm planning on helping out as much as possible in future. Also been reading as much as possible about horses too which is also helping.

Thanks again,

Ali

[CobNut]

I try to follow these rules. It isn't always possible to do so, and once you know a horse well it may not be so necessary. But with an unfamiliar horse, they will all help.

1. Never approach the horse from behind; come from somewhere it can see you.

2. Never walk straight at the horse (predator behaviour!); approach it obliquely.

3. Always touch the horse on the shoulder and/or the neck, before attempting to do anything with its head such as put a headcollar or bridle on.

4. Always talk to your horse, including telling it what you are about to do. That way, if you're palnning on doing something stupid, somebody more knowledgeable than you might overhear and warn you off in the nick of time. :D

5. Try to avoid walking from one side of a horse, round its bum and to the other side. If you have to, place your hand on its back and run it backwards as you walk towards the horse's bum, then leave it resting on top of its bum as you pass behind. That way it knows you're there, and isn't suddenly caught by surprise when you appear on the other side.

6. Never handle a horse's lower leg without having first handled its upper leg. If you need to lift a foot or whatever, start with your hand at the top of its leg and run it down, so thatthe horse knows where you are and that something is coming toward its foot to take a hold of it.

7. When leading a horse, insist on NOT having your space invaded. If it gets to close, STOP and make the horse stop. Turn and place your hand on his chest, and push until he takes a step or two back. Praise him for doing so, then resume leading. Repeat as often as is necessary until he learns to leave a good metre or so of clear air between you and him.

I could list many more, but these are the principal ones.

The books folkses have recommended here shoudl all be good. I myself am a great fan of Michael Peace's STYLE - because he explains nto only the WHAT but the WHY, so you understand the thinking behind what he is saying you should do. This is a great help when you come to dealing with a situation which he HASN'T explained; because you can develop the thinking for yourself and apply it to the new situation, which you couldn't it all you had was a dogmatic list of "Right Ways" and "Wrong Ways" of doing things.

Anyway - I'm glad you're enjoying being with horses. Be warned, though. You'll soon have moved beyond the stage of "horses are my hobby" to "horses are my way of life".

Good luck!

[lizzy]

Lesley Bailey does a good book called "What is my horse thinking"

[CobNut]

Oh I don't need a book to tell me that. The answer's always the same with my cob mare. It goes something like this:

"I wonder if that's edible? I bet it is. YUM!!!"

[Steve.R]

The alterative to that is 'What has she got in her pockets?' or 'I wonder if I can eat shoe laces?' or 'ME, ME, ME!!!!!' (I have rather attention seeking Shetlands who get jealous if I talk to/catch any of the others) :D

Esther