Catch & Release Certification written portion

Vocabulary to Know: Pasture— A large fenced area with grass, used for horses to roam freely. Paddock— A fenced area used for horses to roam freely. Also known as a corral in western terms. Stall— An area in a barn or shed that is used to house horses.

Vocabulary to Know: Tack – Any equipment used to ride a horse, such as saddles, girths, cinches, bridles, etc. Breezeway — The roofed, open passage, connecting the stalls and the lobby. Lead Rope – A rope that attaches to the halter and is used to lead a horse.

These are the parts of the halter: Noseband Attachment Ring Cheek Piece Crown Strap Jowls Bar of the Halter Buckle Throatlatch Across the Poll

Some Things to Remember Horses want a leader. This could be a dominant horse, themselves, or a human. BE A LEADER!!! Be confident and assertive when handling a horse, or the horse WILL take charge of the situation. It’s a 51/49% partnership.

Pasture/Paddock Procedures

Approaching A Horse

Haltering Stand on the left side and place your lead rope over the horse’s neck. (Don’t let it touch the ground) Unbuckle the halter and hold both ends in your left hand. Place your right hand on the horse’s neck and gently rub towards the ears, reaching over the neck to grab the long end of the halter. Slide the nose piece over the nose and bring the right hand over the top of the neck to buckle the halter. Adjust so the noseband is halfway between the eyes and the nose.

Things to Check CROWN PIECE Make sure the CROWN PIECE isn’t twisted. CHEEK PIECE Make sure you can fit 3 fingers beneath the CHEEK PIECE BAR Make sure the BAR is centered under the jaw NOSE BAND Make sure the NOSE BAND is straight.

Leading the Horse Stand to the left of the horse with his ear about even with your shoulder. Hold the lead rope in your right hand approx. 18” from the latch Hold the excess rope in your left hand in figure 8’s.

Leading the Horse Say Walk on! or Cluck to your horse to ask him to walk and say “Whoa” to ask him to stop. Always walk along side your horse with your shoulder by his ear/eye. Look forward in the direction you want your horse to go (don’t look back ) and WATCH OUT FOR YOUR TOES!

Things to Remember

Walking Through Gates

Entering a Stall with the Horse 1.Open the stall door all the way. 2.Make your horse wait while you walk through the doorway. 3.Step to the side of the stall door 4.Invite your horse in the stall, having him turn to face the entrance to the stall. 5.Close the stall door.

NOTE: Take the halter off the horse. After you leave the stall, lock the door and hang halter & lead rope on the front of the stall. Take the halter off the horse. After you leave the stall, lock the door and hang halter & lead rope on the front of the stall.

Exiting a Stall 1.Open the stall door, enough for you to enter. 2.Close the door behind you. 3.Catch the horse in the appropriate way. 4.Face the door and open it all the way. 5.Make your horse wait while you walk out of the stall. 6.Stand to the side of the stall door if there is not another horse. 7.Invite your horse out of the stall, having him turn to face you. (If there is another horse, take your horse all the way out and ask someone else to close the gate.) 8.Close the stall door. 1.Open the stall door, enough for you to enter. 2.Close the door behind you. 3.Catch the horse in the appropriate way. 4.Face the door and open it all the way. 5.Make your horse wait while you walk out of the stall. 6.Stand to the side of the stall door if there is not another horse. 7.Invite your horse out of the stall, having him turn to face you. (If there is another horse, take your horse all the way out and ask someone else to close the gate.) 8.Close the stall door.

WARNING: Never tie a horse in a stall Never groom or tack a horse in a stall Never clean a stall while a horse is in it Always open the stall door all the way

Important things to remember Always open the stall door all the way. Always make sure the back door is closed before you enter. Ask someone to close or open the stall door for you if there are horses on both sides of the stall. Always close the stall door before you take off the halter.

Breezeway Procedures #1 Say, “Horse coming through” loud enough for everyone to hear.Say, “Horse coming through” loud enough for everyone to hear. #2 Hold the lead rope in your right hand and with your arm extended behind you as you walk in front and slightly to the left of your horse.Hold the lead rope in your right hand and with your arm extended behind you as you walk in front and slightly to the left of your horse. #3 Make sure you and your horse are behind the yellow line.Make sure you and your horse are behind the yellow line.

Safety Rules

Safety Rules:

Horse Behavior

Characteristics of Prey Animals Prey Animals: Have fast reflexes. When startled they will choose either Flight or Fight, meaning they will try to run, but if they cannot, they will fight. Have eyes on the side of their heads. This gives them the ability to see nearly 360 degrees around them. They have blind spots directly in front of and behind themselves. Have Excellent Senses. Horses can hear very well and have a “sixth sense” meaning they are very adept at sensing emotions and feelings. Please remember that horses are FRIENDS, not FOOD.

Partnering With the Horse Since we are Predators, and horses are Prey Animals, we have to adjust our behavior and learn to speak their language. Think like a horse, watch the communications between the horses. Help the horse feel safe. Remember to be the alpha, the leader, and be respectful.

Horse Communication Verbal Neigh Snort Non-verbal Ears Movement Nicker Sigh Aggression Body Position

Reading a Horse’s Ears Ears Stiffly Forward The horse is nervous about something that is ahead of him. Ears Pointed Left and Right Ears Pointed Left and Right The horse is nervous/ aware of something to either side of him.The horse is nervous/ aware of something to either side of him. Ears Stiffly Back Ears Stiffly Back The Horse is nervous/ aware of something behind him.The Horse is nervous/ aware of something behind him.

Reading a Horse’s Ears Ears Flattened against Neck The horse is angry about something, or is trying to make something or someone move. Ears Relaxed and Back The horse is relaxed and possibly taking a nap. Ears Drooping The horse is very tired and might not feel well.

Quiz Please complete this short quiz and bring it with you to the barn! THANK YOU! Thank you for volunteering your time and energy. Courage Reins could not run without volunteers like you!