Follow these simple guidelines when meeting a horse for the first time: 1. Approach from the left. 2. Stay out of the blind spots. 3. Use long strokes to pet their neck in the direction of hair growth.
Meeting a new horse for the first time can be very exciting. This article will help you make sure it’s a rewarding experience for you and the horse.
How to approach a horse
When approaching a horse it’s up to you to stay safe and help the horse feel relaxed. The best way to approach a strange horse is from the left side. Move to a spot near their neck just in front of the shoulder.
Because a horse’s eyes are located on the sides of their head, they have blind spots directly in front of them and directly behind them.
You do not want to approach from within a blind spot and suddenly touch them. That could scare them.
Avoid moving too quickly or making sudden movements. This could startle the horse.
When approaching and interacting with a horse, try to keep in mind that even though they are big, they are prey animals. They are always on the lookout for danger.
You can reassure them just by having a confident and matter-of-fact attitude.
Stand up tall with your shoulders back. Carrying yourself with assurance will help the horse see you as someone to be trusted.
Stay safe
When interacting with a horse, the safest place to stand is at their side. Stay in the area between their shoulder and ears.
If the horse decided to kick, it would be very difficult to reach you standing in front of their shoulder. And if they tried to bite, this area is not very easy to reach.
However, you still need to be aware of your space. Getting stepped on by a hoof with 1,000+ pounds on top of it is not fun. Horses are usually taught to respect the personal space of humans, but it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on where the hooves are and maintain your own bubble.
How to pet a horse
- Keep your fingers together. Horses are prey animals and separated fingers could look like claws to them. It also keeps your fingers safe from an accidental nip.
- Introduce yourself to a horse by offering your hand near their nose. Offering your cupped hands to the horse’s muzzle is a way of respectfully engaging with them and being friendly.
- Use long strokes to pet in the direction of hair growth. A good place to start is the neck, then continue using long strokes to find other places they like.
Find their favorite spot
Once you’ve introduced yourself and the horse is comfortable, you can start carefully stroking and scratching different spots to see if you can find where they like to be scratched.
Many horses like a good scratch on the withers.
A lot of horses also like to have their faces rubbed. But be aware, sometimes petting them on their cheeks or face could be interpreted as playful or an invitation to play.
Remember a horse’s head weighs around 100lbs. You might not want it swinging around playfully unless you are very prepared.
Think about where a horse might have itches that they can’t scratch. Try giving them a scratch in those areas to see if they like it.
Some common itchy spots are:
- The face
- Under the jaw
- Under the neck
- The chest
- Between the front legs
- Under the barrel
Moving around a horse
Now that you’re exploring more to find their favorite spot, you might move out of the safe zone in the shoulder area. When moving around a horse, it can be helpful to keep a hand on their back or side to reassure them.
When passing behind a horse, talk to them so they can hear you as you move through the blind spot. Try to pass behind a horse at least one leg length away, so they can’t kick you. If there’s not enough space to be that far away, then keep as close as possible while you move behind them.
The reason this is the second safest option is because if they were to kick at you, the hoof would connect before it had time to build up full force. This would result in a hard push but hopefully not serious injuries from the full force of a kick.
Keep a hand on the top of the horse’s rump and talk to them as you move close behind them.
Never go under a horse’s body or under their neck.
How do I know if I’ve found a good spot?
Read the horse’s body language to know if you’ve found the best place to scratch or a sensitive area that’s best avoided.
A horse that’s enjoying being petted may:
- Lower his head
- Allow his ears to droop
- Twitch his lip
- Raise his upper lip
- Sigh
- Lick and chew
- Lean into your scratches
- Raise his head to invite a scratch underneath
If you get any of these positive responses, go ahead and continue what you’re doing! You’ve found a good spot. You can wait for the horse to let you know when they’re done.
But if in doubt, sometimes it’s wise to leave them wanting more rather than scratch and pet until they get annoyed with you.
A horse that is NOT enjoying being petted may:
- Move away
- Raise his head
- Have tension in his muscles
- Clamp his tail down
- Pin his ears
- Turn his head and look at you (to warn you not to continue)
- Nip or bite
- Raise a leg (threatening to kick)
If you get any of the negative responses, stop what you’re doing. Then wait a bit and maybe try something else. Don’t get discouraged. Stay safe and keep trying, or come back another time.
Areas to avoid touching on a horse
If you don’t know a horse well, it’s best to avoid touching:
- Ears
- Eyes
- Genitals
- Tail area
Horses are individuals. Some may like having one spot touched while others may hate it. But these areas are sensitive for many horses so it’s best to avoid them at first.
If you own or lease a horse, you will both have to get comfortable with these areas. Good veterinary care often depends on a horse being relaxed having their ears, eyes, and tail manipulated.
Be patient
It may take more than one session to begin finding what a horse likes. Sometimes you have to earn a horse’s trust before they will let you touch a certain spot.
What a horse likes can vary a bit from day to day as well. Some days they may be itchier than others. Sometimes they may just not be in the mood for cuddles.
Mares are affected by hormones during their heat cycle. When they are in heat, their preferences may be different from what they normally are. They may also have some discomfort during this time that can make them crabby or sensitive.
Be patient and consistent with your equine friend. Keep offering the respectful touches that you have found that they like. Add more in short sessions if you get positive feedback. Stay curious and open to learn what they have to tell you.
How to feed a horse a treat
If you have a treat to feed your new equine friend, first check to make sure it’s safe for them to eat. Not all fruits and vegetables are safe for horses to eat.
Offer the treat by placing it on your palm and holding your hand flat toward the horse’s mouth. Remember to keep your fingers together and out of the way so they don’t get accidentally bitten.
The horse will have a hard time seeing the treat if you hold it under their head or too close to their nose. Show them you have a treat, and then move it closer until they can comfortably take it from your hand.
Consider this before trying to pet a horse
If a horse does not belong to you, always ask permission from the owner before trying to pet it. The owner knows the horse best and can tell you if and how the horse likes to be touched.
In addition, diseases can be spread between horses by human hands. Petting an infected animal and then offering your hands for a healthy horse to sniff can quickly spread sickness.
If you are in a setting like a show or expo where many horses have been brought together, do not touch any horses without permission from their owners and handlers.
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