Question:

Fear of horses... HELP?

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I volunteer occasionally at an E.C. and help in the care of horses, and recreational activities w/ bday parties..., etc.

the first time I went, it was okay and I was just about afraid of horses as anyone else, but now, I'm still the same way, and I have been volunteering for about 2 years... ish. I don't mind the whole size thing, it's mostly their behavior that im afraid of... like biting, stepping on my feet, walking behind them or just being too close to them in general. Everyone that works with me can't quite understand what's goin on in my head when it comes to horses, but I'm always afraid of hurtin them or something. For example. I refuse to do anything with their hooves because I know that a horse can be sensitive with their feet, and that frightens me terribly. They can kick, or just go crazy on me... i've only been able to do certain things with one horse (my favorite) but I still can't do much. How can I conquer this fear? I want to be able to be more help when needed

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  1. If it hasn't happened after two years, I'd say you've already given it your best shot.  Are you sure you want to keep on with this?  What is the reason for staying with this?  I don't have the magic answer...I'm just curious.


  2. My goodness Child,well i was afraid of Dogs at one time in my life so I got a job with the local S P C A and after working with Dogs for a while I looked for different ways to handle each Dog,because they all had their own little quirks! Some didn't like for you to mess with their Tails and some wanted to show me they were the Boss etc,etc,so with time I managed to make friends with some pretty mean Dogs by respecting what they didn't like! Time with the Horses is your best Friend! Good Luck & God Bless!

  3. Look,

    u just have to push teh fear back. Dont forget it tho.

    Horses hooves for one.

    I was S##t scared of hurting there hooves and when i went to my new riding school, i found out u had to actialy dig the hoof pick in there frog to hurt them. so just ease up on doing them but try.

    With kicking, it hurts more when ur further away from them. so just place ur hand soflty on the rump and walk behind slowly.

    Horses are unprodictable and u have to know that. I hav been bitten many times and let me tell u, if ur worried, it hurts less with a long sleeve or jumper on.

    Gd luck and just think, concer ur fear and ull have heaps of fun .

  4. I have never been scared of horses, but when they are acting crazy and bucking and stuff, they do tend to scare me so I know how you feel.

    Horses are very strong and powerful animals.  You will probably not hurt them if your careful. They can be sensitive, but not to the point where there going to hurt you.  Just be extra carful.  I think if you try hoofpicking, you can over come your fear of their hoofs.

    When I was 11, I was standing on the side of a horse grooming it,and it turned and kicked me right in the knee and ever since I have had knee problems.  So, yes, they can hurt you. So when your going behind a horse making sure your hand is on there butt/back so that they know you are there and they will not hurt you, or just walk a couple feet behind the horse. Make sure they always know where you are.

    Another thing, if horses can sense how you feel. If you are scared, they tend to feel the same as you.  When your around a horse, try not to be nervous.

    Also, if your wearing the right shoes, the hard toe things, it will not hurt at all if they step on you.

    Horses pick up food with their lips, they dont bit stuff till they pick it up, so if your feeding them out of your hand, make sure your hand is flat, and the food is in the center of your hand.

    I think the only way you can conquer your fear is being around horses more. Learning about them, how they dont try to hurt you on purpose.  Try hoofpicking, maybe with someone next to you to help you out.

  5. I was afriad of them same as you, the biting and kicking and such, mostly I didn't know how to handle the behaviour, so I got a miniature horse, because I was slightly less scared since they don't quite kick as hard :P And I got used to brushing her and handling her if something spooked her and stuff. I am still a little intimidated around big horses, but it helped me learn general horse handling alot, My Mom had horses so she helped me alot too. I know that probably won't work for everyone, but just keep working with that one horse that you say is your favorite and you will become generally more comfortable with horses I am sure.

  6. i worked with horses for awhile, and ive been kicked, stepped on, and bit... but this never happened to my surprise.  use your intuition, read their bodylanguage.  trust yourself and they will be more likely to trust you.  also, if their ears are down they arent happy... also try riding horses, that will help you create a bond with the species.

  7. ok well first, the bad thing you are doing is being afraid of the horses when ur around them. Even if you dont think you are showing any fear, they can still tell your afraid. Then they become afraid, and that leads to a hectick situation!  

    Get the thoughts of you getting hurt by the horse and enjoy their beauty and you will see you enjoy them.  You would really be able to tell when a horse gets nervous, really a horse is just like any other animal. A dog could attack any moment, so really theres no difference. Although there are some difference. Just start slowly and work your way closer.

    Come to find they arent that bad, and have reasons to freak!

    I would start out with a good broke horse and work your way up to build your confidence!!

    good luck, hope i helped!!!!

  8. My mother has a fear of them and Ive worked with them all my life. If you go around a horse or any animal at that matter it can sence the fear in you weather you show it or not.What I did to get her over her fear is I introduced her to my horse.He is gentle with everyone.As far as the biting thing I had that problem with one of my friends horses.Every time he went to bite me I would give him a little pop on the nose. Dont slug him or hurt him just show him you wont take it from them. As for the other stuff. The hoof cleaning is easier than it looks just rember to be gentle with him. Softly clean the cinter or frog then around the edge. Its not realy all that bad I was scared my first time,but I got the hang of it after a while.Just rember to tell your self that there is nothing to be afraid of . They will be gentle to you if you are to them.

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