TECHNIQUES FOR HANDLING THE DIFFICULT HORSE The rear of a horse is intuitively a dangerous area


and most mature humans have that knowledge im- bedded in their genes. With a slow approach and using careful deliberate stroking (similar to brush- ing) most horses will allow touching the tail, perineum, and lower hind limbs in a relaxed man- ner. They must not be surprised in this area though as it could elicit an explosive and, therefore, very dangerous reaction which could be life-threat- ening to the examiner. Also using multiple “points of contact” to keep the horse aware of your presence is highly encouraged, especially when it may be dif- ficult for the horse to easily see where the examiner is located.


3. Haltering/Leading


When haltering, the generally accepted approach is to enter the horse’s space from the left side toward the base of the neck/shoulder area. Regardless of where haltering is taking place a horse should be encouraged to go forward and not backward. Back- ing away from or toward the handler is a more dangerous situation than having the horse move forward. If a horse thinks they can leave they tend to not feel as threatened, whereas if they feel trapped they are more likely to flee or fight. Holding or leading a horse can be challenging if


the animal’s ground manners are less than ideal. The author prefers to use either a nylon or leather halter on the horse to facilitate maximum control and safety. In a standing position the side of the halter or varying lengths of the lead rope can be held. When instructing an inexperienced person the author uses illustrations to describe the location where the animal should be held (Figs. 1–3).


4. Helpful Tips for Practitioners When Interacting With Equine Patients


● Few equine practitioners are or want to be horse trainers. However, we should strive to leave our patients “better than we found them” to facilitate cooperation in our exam/treatment regimes in future encounters.


● For the most part, the practitioner (or handler) is either sensitizing or desensitizing the equine patient every time we interact. Both are necessary and effective tools to encourage cooperation from the horse but care should be taken to not use the wrong technique when the opposite approach might be more likely to pro- duce the desired result.


● When leading a horse, always change direction by turning the animal away from the handler. This is a safer technique and maintains the horse in a straighter body position and encour- ages the horse to yield to the handler’s space.


● If presented with a horse that has a tendency to nibble or bite when being held or led, the author places a dog collar over the nose band of


538 2014  Vol. 60  AAEP PROCEEDINGS


Fig. 1. Standing on the left or right side at the head or throat- latch, the handler holds the side of the halter, preferably on the noseband where it connects with the vertical strap. With the back of the hand up and the fingers held lightly over the horizon- tal nose strap the author feels this is the safest and most effective approach to directing the horse’s nose toward the handler while keeping the forearm above the muzzle. This position is espe- cially helpful when the examiner is approaching or working around the back half of the horse. Ideally, the nose should be tucked toward the handler slightly while the free hand can hold the lead rope and either stroke the neck or hold the mane near the withers. This allows the horse to move forward, away from, and around both the handler and the examiner in a safer manner.


the halter and around the muzzle (similar to a cavesson) to discourage this rude behavior.


● Only one person should be doing an exam on a horse at one time. This basic safety rule is frequently broken by inexperienced individuals.


● Stocks do not provide complete protection for the handler, observer, or practitioner, regard- less of where one might be standing.


● Sedated horses should not give the handler/ examiner false security. A sedated horse may be more easily surprised by movement or noise and react violently.


● Generally, once past mid-thorax of the equine patient the examiner would be better served to face the rear of the horse with one’s back to- ward the head.


● A good rule of thumb as a veterinarian is to never examine or attempt any treatment pro- cedure on a horse that is tied.


● There is a saying among horsemen, “there’s a time to work and there’s a time to wait.” It is best not to get the two confused!!


● One should try not to reward a horse at any time for doing the wrong thing. Reward (re- lease) should only come when the desired re- action takes place. As humans, we can easily


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