Equine Behavior and Handling-Lecture 1 PDF

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Equine Behavior and Handling: Safe Handling and Vision -

Horses have both monocular and binocular vision and their eye placement allows them to concurrently focus on two different vision fields o Horses can see individually on each side of their body (monocular vision) o Horses can see in front of them with both eyes (binocular vision) o Horses have a blind spot directly behind then and under their head and neck region directly in front of them. Horses can be worked with from either side but typically the left side is used more frequently. This is because most tack has buckles and ties on the left

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Always be sure to halter from the side. This reduces risk of injury if the horse is spooked, decides to rear, etc.

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When multiple people are working with one horse be sure that the handler and those working on the horse are on the same side. This reduces stress for the horse and allows for the horse not to feel boxed in or trapped.

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When walking behind a horse, either walk very close keeping a hand on the horse or walk far enough away that you are out of the range of motion in case of bucking or kicking.

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Be smart about where you tie your horse. o ALWAYS tie horses to solid objects and tie their head with only enough slack to allow the horse to move head. o NEVER tie horses to gates, cars, mirrors, etc. o NEVER tie horses with leads long enough to allow for grazing. This can lead to injury if the horse steps on lead, spooks, or gets tied up in excess rope. (Horses have died this way)

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There are a number of safety release knots. Two learned in this class are: o Bank Robbers Knot (John Wayne Knot) o Stockmans Bowline Knot

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When working with horses always keep one hand on the horse

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When leading a horse always keep the hand closest to the horse on the lead rope about 6-8inches from the halter and the rope should be slack when horse is correctly responding.

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NEVER loop ropes around your hand or other body parts. If horse spooks and runs off you or your body part will go with it....