Horse Safety: Handling & Grooming Stephen R Schafer, EdD 2006 University of Wyoming

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Handling Approach….with caution (slow is better) Approach….with caution (slow is better) Catch….typically with hand or rope Catch….typically with hand or rope Halter….gently and carefully Halter….gently and carefully Lead….from left side of horse (known as near side) Lead….from left side of horse (known as near side) Tie….various knots, but should be easy to untie Tie….various knots, but should be easy to untie

Handling Why tie….and with easy-to-untie knots????? Why tie….and with easy-to-untie knots????? It is tied for what reason: It is tied for what reason: Grooming/Clipping/Bath Grooming/Clipping/Bath Grooming, followed by saddling Grooming, followed by saddling Hoof care Hoof care Tooth care Tooth care De-worming De-worming Vaccinations or other health care work Vaccinations or other health care work When horse gets scared, it will jerk and pull on its lead rope….making the knot hard to untie When horse gets scared, it will jerk and pull on its lead rope….making the knot hard to untie

Handling Use caution and slowness…..because of eyesight Use caution and slowness…..because of eyesight Drawing: Wyoming 4-H

Handling Safety Zones…..because of eyesight Safety Zones…..because of eyesight Drawing: Wyoming 4-H

Handling Always give wide clearance….or keep hand on horse Always give wide clearance….or keep hand on horse Drawings: Wyoming 4-H

Handling Safety/Caution…Red Tail Flag = Kicking Horse Safety/Caution…Red Tail Flag = Kicking Horse Photo: Unknown Source

Safety In Handling Always give wide clearance….or keep hand on horse Always give wide clearance….or keep hand on horse Never walk under the neck of the horse Never walk under the neck of the horse Never get under the belly/abdomen of the horse Never get under the belly/abdomen of the horse Do not use quick movements Do not use quick movements Do not yell, scream, or make other loud noises Do not yell, scream, or make other loud noises Always expect the unexpected….easier said than done Always expect the unexpected….easier said than done

Grooming Why?????????????????? Why?????????????????? Safety (for rider and for horse) Safety (for rider and for horse) Health of the horse (detection and prevention) Health of the horse (detection and prevention) Cuts Cuts Swellings Swellings Cracked Hooves Cracked Hooves Burrs or whatever in hair, mane, or tail Burrs or whatever in hair, mane, or tail Appearance of the horse Appearance of the horse This is also a good time to check equipment This is also a good time to check equipment

Grooming - Basic Tools Hoof Pick (usually….metal with coated handle) Hoof Pick (usually….metal with coated handle) Curry Comb (typically….rubber, plastic, or metal) Curry Comb (typically….rubber, plastic, or metal) Brushes (have a soft brush and a hard brush) Brushes (have a soft brush and a hard brush) Mane & Tail Comb/Brush (usually….plastic or metal) Mane & Tail Comb/Brush (usually….plastic or metal) Grooming Cloth (an old towel will work just fine) Grooming Cloth (an old towel will work just fine)

Grooming - Basic Tools Drawing: Wyoming 4-H

Grooming – Using The Tools Drawing: Unknown Source

Summary: Handling & Grooming Always use caution when catching a horse Always use caution when catching a horse Always be calm/collected when working with a horse Always be calm/collected when working with a horse Grooming has many purposes (not just for appearance) Grooming has many purposes (not just for appearance) Use the proper grooming tool for the appropriate job Use the proper grooming tool for the appropriate job Safety-Handling or Grooming-Expect the Unexpected Safety-Handling or Grooming-Expect the Unexpected