Help Please:)

[Goldie'sGirl]

Hi
I was just wondering when you are, for example, grooming a horse and you want to go round the other side, should you go round the back, or sort of duck under his head? Thanks
Goldie'sGirl :p
Oh and also if you do go round the back is there anyhting you need to do to let the horse know what you are going to do? And there should be a picture at the bottom of what its like at my stables.

[xXSundanceBayXx]

no pic but you should go round the front, but if you sooo definitely cant then walk out and wide of their rear end. if this is not possible i just put my hand on the top of the tail so they know im there. :)

[Goldie'sGirl]

Thanks, but is it 'right/safe' to go under it's head, this is when the horse is tyed up and there in't much room between his front end and the wall?

[crazystevie]

I know my horse so i just walk behind him (naughty but i trust him lots), and stroke his side as I walk behind him so i don;t surprise him. I think the best option is to walk behind them nice and wide. I think if you walk under there neck while they are tied up a things can go wrong - like getting tangled up in leadrope, or the hjorse panicking and running forward - if you walk behind them nice and wide, you can be sure your pretty safe. (unless the horse has stupidly long legs)

I also think it depends how well you know the horse. If you know the horse really well and can trust him do whichever you feel the most comfortable doing. If your horse is happier you walking under the neck then do it - theres not really any set rules on it.

[XwonderX]

Technically you can do it either way. I've never had a horse mind when I ducked under his head (of course I'm not that experienced) and my instructor says that's the way to do it.

You can go around the back though if you want and sometimes (like if you're carrying something heavy) that's easier. Most people say walk far away from the horse but a lot of times it's better to just get as close to the horse's rear as possible. Horse's legs are so long that if you're right up against them they can't actually kick you. Just walk with your hand trailing along the hore's side to let him know you're there and it should be fine. If you're going for the safest way though, go under the head/neck.

[Cherokee]

I usually do either aslong as i know the pony doesn't bite , is not very nervy and does not have a tendency to kick.

[TWH Addict]

With my mare i would always go around her rear, as has been previously stated, keeping my hand on her so she knows im there. Try to avoid going around the front and under her head as she has a tendancy to grab your pony tail.

With my wee stallion I always go around the front as if I go behind he always spins around very fast to see where ive gone even if I keep my hand on him. He always wants to be close to you, like a little shadow.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/TWH_Addict/September05004.jpg

[kedwards]

Although I've been known to do it, it isn't a good practice to duck under
the head and tie rope. Even the nicest of horses can get spooked under
just the right circumstances (say, a hornet comes down and stings him).

[Zingy]

With a spooky horse and not much room I'd go round the back not the front, hand on horses bum and as close as possible to them so if they kick the force is minimal. If they spook when you're ducking under a leadrope in front, you're actually putting yourself in more danger - if they spook you're more likely to be kicked in the head or get landed on if they rear. I always remember being told back legs hurt you but front legs kill you :eek:

[hanbrad]

lots of people are saying go around the back, but i have been tought go round the front. If you go around the back the horse might buck you and that would be a lot more painful then it tring to eat ** ponytail lol

[kedwards]

Hanbrad, the front is preferable when there is room to go in front without
having to duck under the head and tie rope. If the horse is tied like the
illustration that was posted, the person would have to practically get
under the horse to pass in front and would be trapped between the wall
and the horse if anything were to happen, whereas they have ample room
to get around behind and could easily step away if necessary.

The consequences of getting caught between the wall and under the
head and lead line of a horse that is panicking would be much more severe
than getting one's pony tail nibbled. You could be crushed into the wall or
the horse could rear up and land on you.

[Bay Mare]

If you're doing an exam or test you HAVE to go round the front, if you go round the back you'll fail straight away on safety grounds.

In practise most people go the shortest way but to be absolutely correct you should go around the front. I often stand behind Saff with my arms up her back and my head on her bum (on the top, not actually on :) ), my old instructor would go ape if she saw me :)

[kedwards]

This is why I love this board. Sometimes I take certain things for granted, then
discover the thinking is entirely different in other parts of the world.

Are you referring to BHS tests? Being from US, I'm not familiar with them.
If I understand correctly, you are saying that there is a rule requiring one to
duck under or step over a tie rope to get around a horse? Is there a
preference for ducking under or stepping over, or are both equally correct?

I occasionally do that out of convenience, but I've always been
taught not to step under or over a tie rope for the safety reasons I mentioned
in the previous post. Perhaps it's US/UK thing.

[PunkRockPony]

if you dont know the horse I wouldnt advise going behind unless it was really necessary as you have no idea how the horse may react! if you do go behind make sure you give it a wide space (I always do!) If I know a pony I do sometimes walk behind them but its always a good idea to let them know you are there...

[tbtess]

If you know and trust the horse do whatever you feel comfy with. I know my horse and i can do ought with her, i can walk round the back of her without acknowledging her and she doesn't mind but i tend to let her know i'm there either by touching her or talking to her. I also go under her neck too, she generally tries to rest her head on me the lazy monkey! and my 4 year old daughter can't resist running under her tummy, but i suppose thats what happens when you have a chilled out happy horse. :D Trust is everything when it comes to moving around the horse, if you are unsure, take it as wide as you can and take no risk, those feet hurt and so does the head if it catches you! :o