Top 5 Must Know Horse Safety Tips

As I was out cleaning the stalls/corral this afternoon an encounter with a young girl and her father here on the property came to mind. This while I was walking behind two horses to get into a stall! The family had been here dropping off some goats they had donated to the sanctuary and the young girl came up to see one of the horses. She wasn't screaming, running or waving her arms which are all behaviors ill advised when approaching a horse. She was calmly walking towards me as I was standing right beside Ruby. I started to tell her how to approach the horse safely when her dad yelled "Don't go near that horse. It will kick you." I was standing right there, Ruby’s hind was pointed in the other direction. I know he was concerned about the safety of his child but in this particular instance there was no need to worry. And this was not a positive way to introduce a child, or an adult, to a horse.

When I bought my first horse I did not have a natural fear of horses but having been with them for the last few years I get why people are afraid. Horses are big and if you spend any time with them it is clear that they are sentient beings with their own thoughts. With this in mind here are my tips for a first encounter with a horse:

Tip #1: Awareness is Key

Awareness is key. It is essential that if you are near a horse it is important to stay alert and to "be with the horse". Not looking at your cellphone, focusing more on a conversation with a friend or many other distractions that come up. I believe that horses engage with us and it is essential that humans engage with them. In other words pay attention.

Tip #2: Understand that Horses are Prey Animals

This means that they have a fight or flight response. Plastic bags, strange noises, new activity in or outside their surroundings can put them on guard and concerned for their own safety. Even a horse I have had for years will get nervous about a new sound, sight or activity. Again, being aware of this fact about horses and staying alert when being around them is essential for safety.

Tip #3: The Right Way to Walk Behind a Horse

I have heard from folks to NEVER walk behind a horse. As I thought about this it occurred to me that I could not do many horse related things such as saddling them, grooming them and cleaning their feet if I NEVER walked behind them. Most definitely, if you are meeting a horse for the first time or are unfamiliar with equine behavior it is best to not walk behind them. Horses cannot see directly behind them. I always make sure that I announce my presence by purposely getting into their field of vision putting my hand on their side after they have seen me and keeping my hand there as I walk around them.

Tip #4: Meeting a Horse for the First Time

When meeting a horse for the first time it is best to be in their field of vision. If you are new to horses be sure that the owner or someone who is familiar as well as knowledgable with horse behavior is there to guide you through the encounter.

Tip #5: Horse Education is Key

If you want to spend more time with horses educate yourself about horse behavior. Years ago I mentioned to someone about Murphy, my large quarter horse, who had bumped me. Her response was "He probably doesn't know how big he is". My response was "He absolutely knows how big he is". And if you watch horses interact that is how they are with each other. I see them swinging their big butts towards each other if they want one of their herd mates to move. Seeing the look in their eyes, how their jaw is set (tight or loose) and the position of the ears helps you to know what they might be thinking. If you begin to understand how they communicate with each other it gives you a way to understand how they will communicate with you.

This is just starter information for interaction with horses. Here at Diamond Joe's Animal Sanctuary visitors are supervised, small groups of people (no more than 5), and a mandatory session in safety around horses for first time visitors. I want everyone to have a good experience with horses to see them as the wonderfully loving animals that they are.