I too would not approach a horse closely for the first time unless I was positive the horse knew I was there and would also call out to the horse and get his attention before getting close. In a situation where someone would put a hand on the horses rump, hopefully they’ve been working near the horse and the horse knows they are there. But if the horse knows you are there, the horse knows you are there and putting a hand on the rump won’t save you if he wants to kick you.
Agreed. It doesn’t hurt to give a heads up when they may well be distracted.
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Nowhere on this thread, not a single post, has indicated that YOU MUST DO THIS OR YOU WILL BE KICKED / HORSE WILL GET LOOSE!! Things are being discussed as good habits are based on that person’s experience. In my line of work, a failure mode analysis would consider both the probability and the severity of a potential failure, vs the cost of the mitigation. Not that I apply such an analytical approach to everything I do in the barn, but interestingly enough, it fits well here too. Crossing very closely behind a horse costs me nothing while it mitigates both the probability of a kick and the severity of a kick if it happens (think: broken fibula vs taking a hoof at its max power/extension to your face).
@Palm Beach Could you expand upon your reasoning as to why the construction site is a completely invalid analogy. It directly addresses the question of good training. If all workers were trained and could be relied upon to perform as robots, no tools would be accidentally dropped from overhead scaffolding, no skidloader operator would move her machine prior to confirming clear surroundings, no crane operator would lift anything prior to confirming the daily hoist slings inspection had been documented, etc. But because human beings and equipment are fallable, and because it’s not possible to predict in advance what circumstance may arise, you simply put your hardhat and steel toes (and safety specs, etc) on before going on site. And you park facing outward so that in an emergency, you all can evacuate the parking lot as quickly as possible without playing bumper cars or running anyone over.
So, kiddo, do you believe those practices are silly and if I just trained the construction workers on my sites, they would be unnecessary?
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@HungarianHippo - You analogy is poor - an entire construction job site, which may be a large apartment complex dozens of stories high taking up an entire city block with hundreds of workers and tons of machinery and equipment in use on site - to one horse in one situation where a person walks behind it. Sounds like you just want an argument and will dream up any possible situation to crown yourself victorious. OK, you win! Feel better about yourself?
Always in the hand like a lead rope. There is one exception to this. We have a schoolmaster that I used to ride who figured out how to shake the bridle off his head and really loves to do that between dismounting and go back to the barn. So for him, and only him, I leave reins around neck and hold them both close to his chin. This not only prevents him from shaking, but in the case that he does shake, he will at least have something around his neck (I’ve seen the girl who rides him chase him around the arena with his bridle in her hand). He is more likely to shake the bridle off and get silly, than to do anything else.
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You and I are in full agreement that a construction site (most of which are far smaller and less complex than the examples you provide, and not “dreamed up” because that is my line of work, so I cited real examples) presents many scenarios that training alone can’t adequately eliminate. Quite gracious of you to concede, but my only motivation is that the beginner riders who read COTH don’t get the idea that they’ll be mocked if they follow basic and easy safety protocols that may prevent injury to themselves or horses.
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I was originally taught the pony club way and did so for 30+ years but recently switched to saddle seat where it is common to lead with them over the neck as frequently you’ll have a martingale for schooling. Saddlebreds can be spooky, but I’ve not noticed any issues.
Ive also had horses tank off with and without the reins over their heads. Didn’t seem to make any difference as to my ability to hold them (or lack thereof). What isn’t cool is wrapping the reins around your hands or neck or doing any of the other stupid things I’ve seen people do.
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No, but I was taught, and it makes some sense to me, that if you’re close enough to have a hand on his butt, you’re not going to get a full extension kick, as you are too close for that to happen. I was kicked in the thigh as a teenager. I don’t recommend it. And that was at close range. The doctors told me the only reason I did not have a broken femur was the insane density of my bones. I had a hoof shaped lump under my skin & muscle for months.
That being said, these days, I have no problem crossing behind my personal horse without a hand on his rump. If I get kicked, I’m certainly not blaming him. But I’m not doing it with horses I don’t know.
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With regard to the leading question - if I’m going from the grooming area to the indoor - I’ll leave the reins over his neck and just lead from one rein. but it’s a contained area. If I’m gong to the outdoor - it’s over the head like a leadline, unless I’m using an actual lead or lunge line, and then the reins are secured under the throat latch. I’ve seen too many horses get tangled up in the bight of their reins from distracted handlers. My bridle cost waaaaay too much money to have it get broken cause I was too lazy.
Where is Pony Club when we need them to drill proper handling and safety into all of us???
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I’ve always taken the reins over the head and held like a lead rope, just holding onto the reins while they’re over the head doesn’t feel very secure to me, in the same way as walking just holding by the halter and not the lead. The only time I’ll do it the “lazy way” is if I’m leading in the arena, or only going a few steps.
I was always taught to lead a horse with the reins in my hands (not around the neck). When I was younger, a friend was walking her horse with the reins around his neck. Her hand got caught in the reins when he reared up and started misbehaving. She got thrown around in the air because her hand was stuck. I will forever remain traumatized by that experience, and will continue to take the rains over the head to lead.
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I’d question barns that allow beginners around horses that kick. Not a good idea safety wise, but hey, maybe if they put their hand on the horse’s rump they won’t get hurt real bad.
Is it not crazy how many different ways people are taught to “be safe” around horses? I always pull the reins over the head to lead but reading the replies, I can make a case for leaving them on the horse’s neck. This reminds me a little bit of the different tactics I’ve seen at the harness tracks; almost invariably people use nylon halters so the horses can’t break free; meanwhile in riding land, I’ve never used anything but leather so they can break free in case of emergency. And I’ve heard horror stories equally on both sides.
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^^^^
Oh, and if you are going any distance with a horse or have to pony one, it is a good idea to put a halter on over the bridle
and lead with that – but there is a right way and a wrong way to put a halter on over a bridle and do up the throatlatch, etc…but we can leave that for another thread, eh?
Please don’t dump him/her on us racetrack people. We are not like that at all.
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All, all horses can kick. The one time I have been really kicked (double barreled to the pelvis in fact) was by a horse I had for nearly 25 years. The one and only time he kicked or considered kicking or considered doing anything bad on the ground.
Why? I startled him in the stall when he was eating, walking around him as I did every single morning and evening giving him a check while he ate. I kicked the water bucket, the hay rustled, and he simply exploded with very good aim at the ‘threat’. In retrospect, I had not said anything or given him a pat when I came into his area. That is the scenario that the pony club ‘hand on the rump’ or, alternatively, talking to the horse if your hands are full is designed to avoid.
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I was taught to hold the reins in my hands when walking tacked up.
Just two weeks ago I was being lazy and leading my guy in with the reins still over his neck. We made it to the tack up area and I looked away for one second and he managed to break his reins.
That’s what I get for being lazy!
Laurierace - you are right to a point. I spend time at the track and see all types and have attended HBPA conferences all over - with wonderful people - but I do see the rough and ready side, too…i.e. meaning not all have the benefit of
being taught their safe techniques, or have time to see a horse loads easily and gently when picking up a horse from a sale, and so on.
Most race horses are poorly broke.
Your horse was worried you’d take his food. Why not just leave him alone to eat? You can check him over before or after he eats. The point is, don’t put your horse in a situation he can’t handle. Do you want your boss hovering over You during your lunch break asking about work or do you want a few minutes to eat? When he is eating, let him eat. If you have to check the stall while the horse is in it, send the horse to the corner until you are finished.
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