The horse
Through my 5 years with horses I’ve learned a lot about those stunning creatures – but I still have a lot more to learn. Though I wish to share some of the acknowledge I’ve gained up through my horse experience.
Wild animals
Horses are wild animals and can sometimes behave like one. If the horse gets scared, it runs. No matter if you’re riding it – it will run. These situations I’ve been in many, many times. When the horse gets scared you need to control the situation. Keep you’re head cool and act quickly. If the horse gets scared don’t let it run away, it can hurt itself or others if they’re in panic on the loose. Try to stop the horse by grabbing the rains or something else. If they don’t calm down now try to speak with them. Say hoooow or you can whistle. If the horse still haven’t stopped try to take it into a circle. But, these actions needs to be done quickly. But if you don’t have any experience with horses let the experts handle this.
Social animals
Horses are social, and they need to be together with another horse. No matter if it’s a small pony, if it’s a horse then it’s all right. So having a horse in your garage all alone is not a good option. Let them stand out in the paddock together with other horses. But this needs consideration. The horses have different classes, and putting two competitive female leaders of the group together isn’t the greatest idea. Be sure that you know the horses fit together and that they won’t attack each other. You can always ask someone else – they probably know. And if you’re not sure if they fit together, watch over them so you can dele them if they start kicking each other.
Competitive
Horses can get competitive around food. And you don’t want to stand between the horse and its food. Dangerous situations can happen. If the horses stand outside, take them in before you give them food. And never give them any food outside the box! If there are many horses in the paddock they can start fighting over the food, and can hurt each other. After you’ve fed them, give them one hour alone. And ride one hour after giving them grain feed. This is important so they won’t get colic – a terrible disease that can kill the horse. It’s never a good idea to separate the horse from its food. It can get angry and bite. But if you have to – be careful!
How to behave
Be quiet around the horse. The horse can hear ten times higher then us and if it get’s scared, both you and the horse can get hurt. Keep in tidy. The horse can stumble into bags etc and get hurt! When you’re going to be around a horse your mood should be fine. Horses can scent it if you’re scared and some horses can use it and test you. You should not be angry around a horse – if you are go somewhere else and calm down. Be good with the horse. Don’t kick it or hit it. Give it commendation if it’s behaving well. And scratch it. Horses love to be scratched and as more you scratch it, the more it likes you!
When riding the horse
There is far too much I can tell about riding a horse and far more I haven’t learned yet. But here are some few guides.
• When you want it to go squeeze carefully with your legs. Never kick it unless it’s really stubborn and won’t listen to you. Sometimes you need to use a whip too, but I think that people that have rode more should use it, not new beginners.
• When you want it to go a direction look where you want to go and take carefully out the hand to show the horse where it’s supposed to go. Don’t drag the horse in its mouth, the horse gets hurt then.
• When riding with others you are supposed to go on the right. Like when driving a car. This is so you won’t crash into others. And before you go another direction or take a circle you need to watch out that you won’t go into another horse. Something that can be very dangerous.
• Riding outside the riding hall always ride on the right. Keep a good distance between the horses, about a horse in the space between them. Also keep a distance from the people walking there. They can be afraid of the horses. Always walk when you’re passing other people or horses. That means no trot or no gallop!
• Never ride in the traffic – unless there is nowhere else you can ride.
• Be aware that the horse can get scared of nothing. A blowing wind, a new car that haven’t been there before, lots of things we humans don’t give a thought to. If it gets scared try to stop it and calm it down. If it doesn’t calm down get off the horse and walk with it and try to calm it down. When it’s calmed down you can ride again.
I hope what I told you were interesting and helping for you to understand the horse better. Horses deserve the best because:
Horses are angels without wings!