Some horses will allow you to approach and handle them any way you like, but others are far more picky and might react negatively to an inexperienced handler. Before climbing on any animal's back, it is imperative you understand how to correctly approach and handle a horse.
Approaching a Horse
Whether he is in a stall or turned out in a pasture, how riders approach a horse will have a significant impact on the outcome of their meeting. Approaching a horse without confidence and intent will send the message that the rider does not know what he or she is doing.
The correct way to approach a horse is with good posture. The handler should walk up to the horse with his shoulders back, eyes up and halter already in his hand. It is not necessary to make eye contact with the horse, but avoid looking at the ground or deliberately looking away from him.
It is also important to remember that when approaching a horse, the front end is friendly. Always walk directly to the horse's head; if he gives any indication of swiveling, make a wide arc around the horse to avoid his back end.
As soon as the rider is within reach of the horse, he should reach out and slip the halter on. If a halter is already in place, clip the lead rope to the halter as quickly as possible to avoid a game of chase.
Leading a Horse
To lead a horse, stand next to the horse's left shoulder. The lead rope should be grasped near the buckle with the right hand, while the left hand grips the tail of the rope in a coil. Gently tug the lead rope forward with the right hand to signal forward movement, then take a step as soon as the horse steps forward.
It is important for riders not to drag a horse on a lead rope. Leading a horse actually means that the horse and rider walk together; in other words, neither horse nor human should walk in front of the other.
In some cases, the horse might not immediately step forward with a tug on the lead rope. If this happens, avoid jerking or pulling because in a tug-of-war, the horse will win. Instead, give him a direction. Push the lead rope to the right and steer the horse in that direction, then move forward once the horse is moving.
It is never a good idea to turn a horse toward the handler. This can lead to broken toes and other mishaps, so remember that the horse should turn away from the rider. This might mean occasionally turning in a near-circle to get from one place to another, but it avoids unnecessary pain and hassle.
Once a rider is comfortable with approaching and leading a horse, it will become second nature and the rider will not have to think about it as much. However, it is important not to forget one's training and start to slack off, as this is when accidents begin to happen.
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