How to keep calm when around horses on the ground?

Question

I love riding and am quite confident when on a horse.However i have recently started some work experience at a stable and when the horse starts pushing into me etc when i am on the ground i start getting nervous.I dont want to be nervous because i dont want the horses to sense anything but when they start walking into me i do back away which just makes them follow faster.Then the people that i am with tell me off for backing away.Have you got any tips to keep calm when horses start to walk into you?One horse rubs his face on me so i think hes trying to be nice?but when i was walking around with him leading him on rope he started walking into me.Then i walked faster to get away from him them he started running after me!!!Any tips on how to stop him doing this?and how to keep me calm under a situation like this?

Answer 1

I train dogs but it is the same principle. You are in charge. When you speed up, the horse naturally follows since you have the rope in your hand.

Give the horse a correction/command to slow down. I don't know what kind of bridle you use, but if there is one for training,start using it to have more control over the horse.

You could also stop and back the horse up away from you when it gets too close.

Answer 2

Why are you scared? When you start running with a horse they will trot with you. Thats all. The horse wasn't trying to chase you. If you are on the other end of that lead rope, that horse knows you are sopposed to be the one in charge, and since you were running the horse went with you. When the horse rubs it's head on you, it's itching.

you just need to spend more time with horses. When a horse walks into you, just push it away. It's not going to hurt you. You can tell when a horse is angry. It's ears will be directly flat back on it's neck. If the horses ears are perked up and it walking right with you, there is nothing to be scared of.

Answer 3

just remember on his back or on the ground YOU are incharge! i dnt kno how but horses can sense ur fear, anger, when ur happy every thing! its scary but jst remember to stay calm!

most people r aginst the whole whipping horses and kicking horses(riding only) but im not i say that if a horse starts trying to push u around u just stand ur ground, keep calm, and just dont yell but its kind of like a tone of voice and u just "OOIII!!!" and push them back if they dont listen to that i say give them a slap on the neck (but when u do it is a good idea to hold the halter firmly incase they bite!)

now all u need to remember is YOU ARE INCHARGE and if a horse tries anything naughty, a smack on the neck or the butt wont hurt just will tech him/her a lesson!

GOOD LUCK! STAY STRONG EVEN OFF THE HORSE U R STILL INCHARGE!!!

Answer 4

always ensure that when you are with whatever horse it always has a halter or bridle on.

have one hand on the end of the leadrope and the other just under the leadrope clip.

stand next to the horses' shoulder so you can elbow him in the chest if he becomes to bolshy and you are not directly in front of the hooves.

never run around horses it encourages them to go faster

and if you are scared of a horse you have no business near it until you have built  up your confidence again and maybe even have someone else withh you to ensure sucess.

Answer 5

He's just following you, the leader. He's got nothing against you, don't freak out. If that horse pushes into you, snap back on the lead rope and make him back up, pushing into HIM, in his chest and shoulder area with your elbow or shoulder, as you pull him back with your hand on the lead. If he starts refusing, turn him in a circle. If you are just hanging around them and they push on you, put one hand over the bridge of their nose, and the other on their chest. Push back gently, harder if necessary and tell them "back" while making a clicking noise. They'll get the hint and back up. When they do, reward them by rubbing their face or neck. If on the ground and practicing this, reward them the same way, then continue walking with them. If they do it again, repeat, eventually the horse will get the idea and let off of you. Be sure you aren't walking infront of them either, because they could get confused and will just bumble around behind you, more likely to make contact and walk into. Be sure you are at the side of their head, if they are walking too fast, tug on the lead a little and slow down. He obviously wants to follow you, so he should mind.

Don't be worried. That horse is not trying to hurt you. Don't act like a scardy-cat, deal with him. He's confused, and just wants to be near you, so when you run away, he follows. It teaches him it's ok to chase you, even if you don't want him to, so of course the others are going to chastize you for it. Just be in control, and tell that horse to back off when he gets too close. You don't want him doing something to you, you let him know.

Answer 6

push back, keep your feet out of their hooves. When they push into you like that they are either pushing away or hiding in you because of some shadow or something. Pushing back either tells them you won't take it from them, or that you'll take them under your wing, if you will.

To keep calm, you just need to know that they are being aggressive, but not attacking you. They're trying to tell you who's boss. Just be brave and tell them back. He's running for you because he's probably scared out of his mind.

Answer 7

shove your elbow into his shoulder some people may think thats cruel but you dont want the horse thinking hes boss, horses are herd animals and if your horse thinks hes leader than bad things happen your only like 100-150 pounds horses are 1000 dont let a horse get away with bad habbits punish him its not animal cruelty in the pasture horses beat up on each other all the time if you hit him on the shoulder butt chest or nose it doesnt even make a mark gotta be tough with 1000 pound animals

Answer 8

Just keep calm you are in charge!Let him know when h is invading your space.You can push him back.Just take time and patientice

Answer 9

Hold that lead rope tight.  When they push into you, push back.  Make sure they know that you are in controle.  Jerking on leadrope/halter is good punishment.  Do not let them fight back.  You can take them down with just that rope.  That is why we stick it on their head.

Answer 10

when they rub (or walk) into/against, that means that they want a treat, or their face itches. and to get them to stop following all you have to do is:

1. ACT CONFIDENT!

2. wave your arms in the air, they don't like that, and will walk away

3. if 2 doesn't work, they start shouting words like... ya!!

Answer 11

i used to have this problem alot

but my friend got herself a horse

& i now spend alot of time with that horse

its just a thing with confidence i suppose

and inexperience

you will get used to it i promise

just get to know the horse a little more & be a little sterner so it know whos in charge

this horse might have been bumping into your because it wants attention

stroke it & talk to it

to keep you & that horse calm

spend more time brushing & cleaning out the horse & get to know all the horses & their personalities

im still quite scared of being around horses on ground sometimes because they're unpredictable

but the more time you spend with them the more confident you get

the horse was probably rubbing its face on you because it had an itch or because it was trying to groom you because it like you

and when they lean their head on you it means they trust you

you should put your trust in them as well

& stroke them & softly talk to them

hope i helped x

Answer 12

Hold the lead rein in you right hand, just behind the halter. Keep your feet beside his shoulder.

If he moves towards use your elbow point to poke him in the shoulder/neck.

You can use your left hand with excess rope to come around behind you and tap him to encourage him to walk on. Or you can hold this hand up near his eye (to the side) and he will move his head away from you. To stop him step a little further forward than his shoulder and use your left arm in front of his eye site (about 10 - 5 cm away from his eyes) and he'll stop walking.

Your left hand can act as a wall, when used near his face 'step away from it', or 'halt behind it'. Used tactfully you can get them to turn away from you. Good luck, I hope you find this effective. Another tip, don't lag behind the others if you are walking out in company - the horse will want to catch up. Also if you're the first out he may want to rush, try and walk him near a friend may help you.

Answer 13

I keep going, but...theres always a but...Stand up and up your arms out and swing around, that is your personal space...I don't allow a horse to invade mine unless they are invited.  When i walk next to the horse and i see them trying to walk on me, i stick my arm out as if I'm pointing at them, they bump my finger, poke, poke they back off...Mine know when i start to raise my arm they are to close and i don't have to poke at them...I just keep walking when i do this, looking forward.  I have had to elbow a few.  If you react like this is a huge deal the horse will see this, push him off and keep going.   I never let them see they got me, i don't give them that power.  If you back off they will think they won...The horse invades your personal space you invade theirs.