Horse handling is key to keeping your veterinarian or farrier safe while they are doing their jobs. It doesn’t matter how quiet a horse is, it can react suddenly and unexpectedly. You have to anticipate and react to such situations to keep equine professionals, yourself, and your horse safe.

Here some tips to think about while serving as the handler for your service professional. If you run a boarding farm, you might post this article for your boarders. Or, you can use it as a conversation starter with your vet or farrier to see if they have other ideas to make their job easier and safer for all involved.

Horse Handling Initial Preparation

  • Clear a working area so it is free of hazards or entrapments. Use an area that is large enough for both people and the horse while allowing an escape route if the horse becomes agitated.
  • Use fly spray before the professional arrives. Run a fan to further deter flies from landing on the horse. 
  • Don’t talk on the phone or to others in the barn if you are handling the horse. Keep your attention focused on the process, the professional, and the horse.
  • Ask the vet/farrier where they want you to stand.
  • Don’t turn your back on the horse.
  • Wear appropriate closed-toe footwear when horse handling. Do not show up in sandals!
  • If necessary, wear gloves when holding the lead line to protect against rope burn in case the horse pulls back.
  • Don’t schedule appointments around feeding time. This can make a horse difficult to work with because his attention is focused elsewhere.
  • If a horse is anxious alone, bring a companion to a nearby paddock or stall. You also can have another horse handler take charge of the second horse. They can stay out of the way but remain where your horse can see them and be calmed by the other horse’s presence.
  • Never cross tie the horse for a procedure unless the vet/farrier agrees. Advise the vet/farrier if the horse has any “pulling back” issues if tied to a solid post or trailer.
  • Proper horse handling means keeping a good grip on the lead rope so you can readily control the horse. Don’t hold him so tightly that he pulls back against the restraint. But, don’t leave so much slack in the line that you don’t have control.

Horse Handling During Visits

  • Don’t feed the horse while the professional is working on him. However, sometimes the professional requests positive food reinforcement as a distraction.
  • When horse handling, keep the horse’s head up. When his head goes down, it puts an abnormal amount of weight on the farrier or vet holding a limb. It also means you don’t have as good a hold on the lead line. That is necessary for safety precautions. It also means the horse is distracted and could startle suddenly.
  • When horse handling, never stand directly in front of the horse. Always stay next to the shoulder on the side where the professional is working.
  • Horses tend to move away from the horse handler if startled or anxious, so remain on the same side as your professional.
  • Refrain from grooming or “picking” at the horse while procedures are being done if you are the horse handler.
  • Reassure your horse with gentle hands and verbal encouragement if the horse becomes anxious.
  • When horse handling, use nose or lip chains only when necessary and only if you are familiar their use.
  • Stand your horse squarely for the farrier.
  • When horse handling, keep the horse’s mouth off the vet/farrier. Some horses might nuzzle or nibble while others will actually bite.
  • If you have reason to reprimand the horse, advise the vet/farrier before you do so in case the horse jumps suddenly from your disciplinary action. Ask the professional to do the same. Agree ahead of time who will discipline the horse when it is needed.
  • When someone is working on a hind leg, be sure to stay on the same side of the horse so you can turn his head toward you and the professional. That swings the horse’s haunches away from both of you.
  • Never allow a horse to run past the vet/farrier working on him. If the horse were to kick out, the professional would be hit.

Final Words

One veterinarian added that in her experience, not having loose dogs is also a key to safety. Also, she said when handling horses, don’t allow kids to be playing tag, throwing balls, riding bikes in the aisleway, or jumping out of the hay loft!

These are just a few safety tips that can help keep you, your horse, and your service professional from harm. Talk to your veterinarian and farrier to determine their preferences.

Further Reading