| Caring for a horse is an excellent way to gain new | | | | when they are scared. When they become scared, |
| skills and build a strong bond the animal. However, it is | | | | the only thing they are concerned with is survival, and |
| important to practice safety procedures when handling | | | | anyone in their path will get hurt. The best way to |
| your horse. There can be some risks involved in | | | | avoid a situation like this is to understand what scares |
| handling horses. They are large animals which are very | | | | horses, and how you can avoid scaring them. Horses |
| strong, and can easily hurt you. This is why it is | | | | are herbivores, and have always been the target of |
| important to have an understanding of these animals. | | | | predators. |
| If you encounter a horse that is owned by another | | | | Because of this, horses have developed the ability to |
| person, you never want to feed them without the | | | | easily detect potential predators. They are always |
| permission of the owner. You always want to make | | | | alert, and their long necks and eyes assist them in |
| sure you approach a horse from the side or the front, | | | | watching their environment at all times. When looking at |
| and never from the rear. Be sure to announce your | | | | a horse from a distance, it is important to pay attention |
| presence. Approaching the horse from behind can | | | | to its body language. When horses are startled they |
| cause it to become startled, and if it kicks you in the | | | | will display up to three signs with their bodies. |
| head it could easily paralyze or kill you. | | | | The first thing you want to watch for is a horse which |
| When caring for your horse, you want to make gentle | | | | suddenly freezes. This is a sign that it is startled. It |
| movements. Never move quickly or run around horses, | | | | freezes to be make it harder for predators to detect it, |
| as they may become frightened or agitated. You also | | | | and will slowly look around in the direction of the |
| want to speak quietly around the horse and avoid | | | | disturbance. A horse will also spin around or jump, and |
| making loud or strange noises. Always keep children | | | | this is designed to injure potential predators. When |
| and other pets such as dogs under control at all times. | | | | cornered, a horse will fight, and its feet and hooves |
| If you want to ride the horse, always wear the proper | | | | can be deadly. Always use caution when handling |
| footwear and a good helmet. | | | | horses. |
| Like many animals, horses are the most dangerous | | | | |