| Approaching a horse correctly is the first step to | | | | slowly. This willbuild trust so that the horse knows |
| gainingit's trust. Walk slowly from the side toward | | | | you will not harm it. |
| theshoulder, never approach a horse head on. | | | | The relationship you are building now is your |
| Don't lookdirectly at the horse for a horse may | | | | foundationfor riding. |
| interpret you as astalking predator. | | | | You want to be able to touch the horse |
| Horses have a blind spot right in front of their | | | | anywhere on it'sbody. The veterinarian and farrier |
| nose due tothe position of their eyes on either | | | | will need to touch thehorse to treat it and keep it |
| side of their head. | | | | healthy. Teach your horsethat it's not going to get |
| Approaching from the shoulder is less intimidating | | | | hurt by touch, or that it's evenpleasurable, and |
| for ahorse and allows them to see you clearly | | | | your horse will starting seeking you. |
| without a blindspot. | | | | By watching a horse's body for alarm signals, you |
| Horses have a strong prey animal response. In | | | | will knowif the horse is anxious. |
| the wild,horses were stalked by predators and | | | | Signs that your horse is alarmed include: the eyes |
| their defense wasto run from danger. | | | | gettinglarge and round, ears pinned back, the feet |
| Predators approached from the rear or from the | | | | moving and thehead up high. If your horse does |
| nose of thehorse - the two blind spots in a | | | | these things, it is notcomfortable with what is |
| horse's field of vision. | | | | happening. In this situation, it isyour responsibility |
| Moving at a horse from a side position will be | | | | to remove the cause of the anxiety. |
| morecomfortable for the horse than going | | | | If you cannot relieve the horse's anxiety it will try |
| straight at the noselike a predatory animal. | | | | to fleethe situation as its defense. |
| Once you have approached the horse at the | | | | Reading your horse for signs of relaxation and |
| shoulder, hold outyour fist slightly and allow the | | | | comfort isalso useful. |
| horse to smell you. Don'treach for the muzzle | | | | Signs that your horse is comfortable include: |
| (nose), but wait for the horse to turnand smell | | | | chewing andlicking, blinking the eyes and big sighs. |
| you. | | | | If you aretouching your horse and see your horse |
| Horses will interact with you if given the chance | | | | do these things, itmeans they are relaxed. |
| and timeto investigate the situation. These simple | | | | Horsemanship is a partnership. Learn to read |
| mannerisms willgain a horse's trust. | | | | yourhorse's body language and gain it's trust |
| The best place to touch a horse is the shoulder | | | | before yousaddle up and you'll enjoy years of |
| area. | | | | riding with a good friend. |
| Horses are naturally shy about the head, reaching | | | | "I have ridden a horse several times before but |
| for ahorse's forehead or muzzle after entering | | | | was neverquite comfortable. A friend suggested |
| their space, maytrigger their prey animal flight | | | | your book, well withinan hour I couldn't wait to |
| instincts. | | | | get back in the saddle. I havebeen having a great |
| Touch the shoulder area in a rhythmic, massaging | | | | time ever since. I highly recommendthis!" Mark |
| motion. | | | | Blanc |
| Horses do not appreciate being patted like a dog. | | | | "I have a vacation planned and want to go |
| The offand on pressures of patting translate to | | | | horseback ridingbut didn't know a thing about it. |
| an attack typeencounter. Keep your pressure | | | | This book has given meeverything I need to |
| constant and moving. | | | | know and some outstanding informationon what |
| Once your horse is comfortable with your touch, | | | | to look for. Thank you. |
| begin tomove to other areas of the horse's body | | | | |