How to Approach a Horse

Until a person has a working understand of horse behavior, I think it takes massive balls to even approach an animal that totally outclasses you in strength and size.

I worked retraining horses off the racetrack in my 30s. One day, I was told to work with another new rescue. I had to get into a very small stall with a giant thoroughbred named Frankenstein. First, I introduced myself and scratched his head and neck. After he seemed calm and accepting, I gingerly entered the stall with barely enough room for my body and his. I was pretty scared as I could get crushed if he wanted to. I continued to scratch and talk to him. Repeat for days. Poor guy was stuck in a tiny stall! So, I took him out to a small paddock to lunge. He was doing great - so willing to do as asked! Then, I noticed someone left a long whip in the sand and - stupid me - picked it up so I wouldn’t step on it. Frankie freaked! He screamed and jerked - did everything BUT buck and kick. Dragged me around because I wouldn’t let go of the lunge line for fear he would run into the fence even though I had dropped the whip. Frankie finally stopped screaming and calmed down just a little before the owner finally appeared, hearing the commotion. Seeing me disheveled and the horse panting, he grabbed the whip and was going after Frankie! Frankie was stopped along the barn wall so I put my body against his, arms spread across his body as a shield, and quickly explained it wasn’t his fault. He’s terrified of whips!! Everyone was told never pick up a whip around Frankie and he always behaved as a gentleman after that. I had to move a few months later but think about Frankie often, hoping no one every abused him again and he enjoyed the rest of his life because he really was a wonderful horse! I later owned a seven-year-old retired race horse who was not abused - we called him Big Dog because he was so gentle. But, many thoroughbreds are horribly abused!! If you can, join a rescue group and just bring them some love! It will be the most rewarding experience you can imagine!!

Used to ride myself, a horse at the stables was like Fritz the horse in Django Unchained: he responded when greered, head bow and all. Unusually clever, understood a lot of words, more than is usual, and helped when anyone was gonna ride him. Pulled in his belly for the saddle belt to make it easier for us, purät his head into the bit eagerly, and more. And he wasn't trained, he just learned and paid attention. Sadly, he passed away about 16 years ago, at the age of 39. I was the last to ride him. I still miss him.

I was at work and I went up to 2 horses. I was so amazed by how amazing they are and how intimidating they are up close but at the same time so gentle and calm.

This was amazingly helpful since I started working at a stable!

I met a horse today, he was unbelievably friendly and as soon as I put my hand on his head he put his head on my shoulder and just let me talk to him and stroke him, was a surreal experience and I just wanna work with them now

This video is very helpful! I don't know too much about horses but soon I'm going to start working at a stable with horses so watching videos like this helps me feel better prepared. She is such a pretty horse!

Thank you for this video.. there was a stray horse roaming around near my neighborhood.. he had a wound in the left ear so I wanted to approach the horse and tie it so that I can get it treated. Watching this video gave me the confidence to approach the horse and tie it. Horses are so gentle and calm, yet they are also intimidating at times.

An amazing video I just got a horse and this helped a lot thank you very much 😁❤❤❤

She is so beautiful

Thank you, this was really helpful!

Very nice mare. She's a beaut!

When a predator stalks prey, the predator is as silent as possible. Being somewhat noisy around a horse is a good way of telling the horse that you are not a predator. I prefer to introduce to a new horse, if it is calm and curious, by going nose to nose and trading breath with them. In horse language, this is a polite greeting. This has always served me well.

Her fur is shining

Great video, beautiful horse

She is gorgeous.

I started going around horses in my 20s. To this day in my mid 30s I had no idea of any risk. I go up to distant horses to acknowledge them of myself. They come up to me I speak to them in a HIGHT Tone quietly as I was raised around my grandmother. I feed Stanger horses all the time. Never one has been rude. I feed them apples raisins cantaloupe scraps. They seem to like raisins cantaloupe more.

Nice vid very useful🤙🏿

Very useful video. Thank you very much. I bought a horse a month ago but she seems to kick at times. How can I deal with this problem and how can I train her?

Good solid information