![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090122121227im_/http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/images/line.jpg)
Dawn
M. Richard, and Karyn Malinowski
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
This
is a sheet about safety in handling horses. It has been prepared
for the first-time, as well as the experienced-horse owner.
No matter how experienced one is in handling horses or how well
one knows his/her horse, one must remember that in handling
a large animal which weighs 1,000 pounds precaution and safety
should be practiced at all times.
Horses
tend to be excitable and can be frightened by the most unexpected
circumstances. If one is not prepared for such an emergency
he/she may find him/herself dragged, crowded, or stepped on;
all of which lead to the possibility of serious injury.
This
sheet discusses proper approach to and the catching and haltering
of horses.
Always
approach a horse from the left and from the front, if possible.
Speak softly when approaching, especially from behind, to let
it know of your presence. Always approach at an angle, never
directly from the rear. Horses have monocular vision which leaves
them with a blind spot in front of their nose, under their head
and directly behind them. Sudden sounds or movements, particularly
within these spots, tend to frighten horses. When you are within
reach, touch the horse first by gently stroking the shoulder
or rump (if approaching from the rear) and moving calmly to
the head.
Don't
walk up from behind and slap its rear end or suddenly lunge
for its head.
Carry
a lead rope attached to the bottom noseband ring of a halter
when you go to catch the horse. Once beside the horses shoulder,
slip the rope around its neck and secure it by holding both
sides in the same hand. This enables you to exert control in
the event the horse starts to walk away. Do not tie the rope
around its neck! Grasp the horses nose with your right hand,
slide the halter up over its nose with your left hand and place
the crownpiece behind its ears. Do not drag the halter over
its nose. Some horses are tickled by the nosepiece when it bends
the large hairs on the nose and face. This can cause them to
raise their head or try to move away from the halter.
Make
sure the halter is fitted properly. The chin strap should
be short enough to keep a foot from getting caught or prevent
it from slipping over the nose, yet allow the horse to breath
comfortably while standing or galloping. The noseband should
be loose enough to allow two fingers between the nose and
the noseband. This allows the horse to open its mouth while
limiting the space at which an object can become tangled.
The cheekpiece should be long enough to allow two fingers
between the noseband and the cheekbone.
The
horse owner has the option of turning horses out with or without
a halter. Some feel that leaving a halter on the horse in
the stall or paddock presents a potential hazard in the horses
getting caught on something. On the other hand, a haltered
horse is much easier to catch in an emergency situation.
Once
your horse has been properly fitted with the halter, it is
ready to be led.
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Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This document
is
FS334
,
a series of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Rutgers, the
State University of New Jersey. Publication date: . Publication
date: November 1988.
Dawn
M. Richard, Graduate Assistant, Department of Animal Sciences,
Department of Animal Sciences, and Karyn Malinowski, Ph.D.,
Specialist in Horse Management, Department of Animal Sciences,
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, PO Box 231, New
Brunswick, NJ 08903-0231.
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