What NOT to do

Adelaide · 03-23-08, 06:18 PM

I have seen so many movies or shows on TV where a person gets on a horse and slaps it's butt, or some other variation. Sometimes it goes well for them if they are experienced and know the horse well, but more likely they are a novice like me and and fall off the horse as the horse speeds forward.

So other than that, what advice would you give as what not to do?

purplefdu · 03-23-08, 09:27 PM

Kicking the horse's sides. Just like slapping and just as annoying for the poor horse. I would hope that most people use a well trained horse that would actually put up with such things. I know the first horse I rode would have put up with me doing anything to him without moving a muscle. Having the ability to make mistakes allowed me to learn alot.

hossingaround · 03-24-08, 09:41 AM

I see so many that think they have to hang on for dear life and pull the reins up so tight that the horse's head is jerked up. I think people should have to spend enough time with the animal on the ground to be comfortable before getting up to ride.

horseshoes · 03-25-08, 08:24 AM

I'd say don't make any big hand movements or wear any really loose fitting clothing. Sometimes the horse can catch the movement out of the corner of her eye and get spooked.

mistyriver · 03-25-08, 09:24 AM

Don't be really loud either. That can spook even the tamest horse. Talk in gentle regular voices, not yelling. Just like people, horses don't like to be yelled at.

mimi31 · 03-26-08, 06:45 AM

[quote=purplefdu;3052]Kicking the horse's sides.

Purple, I don't understand. How do you make your horse get going/gallop? I have ridden many a lazy horse that needed a little kick in the sides to get moving.

mistyriver · 03-26-08, 08:47 AM

I was always taught that kicking a horses sides was akin to tickling, since the skin is so thick it buffers most of the feeling. I mean not out and out gouging the side, and of course without spurs, but a gentle kick.

**alexis** · 03-26-08, 12:34 PM

Many horses can understand voice commands, I think it just takes some patience and time to train them. I dont see the point in kicking a horse either, would you really want them to kick you in the gut?

CityChick · 04-06-08, 09:36 AM

I was always taught to give them a pat on the rear end before walking around behind the horse to let them know you are there. I'd hate to surprise one and get kicked clear into next week.

sandles · 04-08-08, 12:03 AM

Voice commands would be a good idea but don't most horses realize when you sit atop them you plan on moving somewhere not just sitting the entire time?

Roy Rogers · 04-09-08, 11:08 PM

Respect your horse, just as you would like to be respected.

There is no need to hurt or annoy the poor horse, so you need to know the right and wrong way to go about doing things.

Also, western films should by no means be used as an accurate representation of horses or how they should be treated.

mustangsally · 04-10-08, 10:39 PM

This is a great thread for those of us just starting out with horses. I will be sure to remember all the great tips. I surely wouldn't want to end up kicked or bit.

sandles · 04-11-08, 01:07 PM

Can a horse "smell fear" like a dog can? I have always wondered that, and if so what would end up happening? Would the horse just not let the rider near it?

katie · 06-13-08, 09:31 PM

What about nudging them with your knees? I don't know a whole lot yet about riding horses but I had heard somewhere that you can guide them that way.

Sheraton · 06-14-08, 05:19 AM

I think that if you treat the horse with respect, they will be more keen to following your lead. I think that you should try to refrain from the kicking, but I've also heard that using your knee before your horse really understands voice commands can be helpful. I don't know if professionals really recommend that, but that's what I've seen with neighbors and what their vet was telling us.

03-23-08, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Adelaide Member Join Date: 03-02-08 Posts: 25	What NOT to do I have seen so many movies or shows on TV where a person gets on a horse and slaps it's butt, or some other variation. Sometimes it goes well for them if they are experienced and know the horse well, but more likely they are a novice like me and and fall off the horse as the horse speeds forward. So other than that, what advice would you give as what not to do?

03-24-08, 09:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
hossingaround Member Join Date: 01-03-08 Posts: 50	Don't saw or yank on the reins I see so many that think they have to hang on for dear life and pull the reins up so tight that the horse's head is jerked up. I think people should have to spend enough time with the animal on the ground to be comfortable before getting up to ride.

04-10-08, 10:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
mustangsally Member Join Date: 04-03-08 Posts: 25	Nice tips This is a great thread for those of us just starting out with horses. I will be sure to remember all the great tips. I surely wouldn't want to end up kicked or bit.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-23-08, 09:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
purplefdu Member Join Date: 08-12-07 Posts: 236	Kicking the horse's sides. Just like slapping and just as annoying for the poor horse. I would hope that most people use a well trained horse that would actually put up with such things. I know the first horse I rode would have put up with me doing anything to him without moving a muscle. Having the ability to make mistakes allowed me to learn alot.

03-25-08, 08:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
horseshoes Member Join Date: 03-02-08 Posts: 25	I'd say don't make any big hand movements or wear any really loose fitting clothing. Sometimes the horse can catch the movement out of the corner of her eye and get spooked.

03-25-08, 09:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
mistyriver Member Join Date: 03-02-08 Posts: 25	Don't be really loud either. That can spook even the tamest horse. Talk in gentle regular voices, not yelling. Just like people, horses don't like to be yelled at.

03-26-08, 06:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
mimi31 Member Join Date: 02-01-08 Location: NY Posts: 50	[quote=purplefdu;3052]Kicking the horse's sides. Purple, I don't understand. How do you make your horse get going/gallop? I have ridden many a lazy horse that needed a little kick in the sides to get moving.

03-26-08, 08:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
mistyriver Member Join Date: 03-02-08 Posts: 25	I was always taught that kicking a horses sides was akin to tickling, since the skin is so thick it buffers most of the feeling. I mean not out and out gouging the side, and of course without spurs, but a gentle kick.

03-26-08, 12:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
alexis Super-Moderator Join Date: 08-10-07 Posts: 329	Many horses can understand voice commands, I think it just takes some patience and time to train them. I dont see the point in kicking a horse either, would you really want them to kick you in the gut?

04-06-08, 09:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
CityChick Member Join Date: 04-05-08 Posts: 25	I was always taught to give them a pat on the rear end before walking around behind the horse to let them know you are there. I'd hate to surprise one and get kicked clear into next week.

04-08-08, 12:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
sandles Member Join Date: 04-04-08 Posts: 25	Voice commands would be a good idea but don't most horses realize when you sit atop them you plan on moving somewhere not just sitting the entire time?

04-09-08, 11:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
Roy Rogers Member Join Date: 04-05-08 Posts: 25	Respect your horse, just as you would like to be respected. There is no need to hurt or annoy the poor horse, so you need to know the right and wrong way to go about doing things. Also, western films should by no means be used as an accurate representation of horses or how they should be treated.

04-11-08, 01:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
sandles Member Join Date: 04-04-08 Posts: 25	Can a horse "smell fear" like a dog can? I have always wondered that, and if so what would end up happening? Would the horse just not let the rider near it?

06-13-08, 09:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
katie Member Join Date: 06-10-08 Posts: 50	What about nudging them with your knees? I don't know a whole lot yet about riding horses but I had heard somewhere that you can guide them that way.

06-14-08, 05:19 AM	#15 (permalink)
Sheraton Member Join Date: 06-12-08 Posts: 25	I think that if you treat the horse with respect, they will be more keen to following your lead. I think that you should try to refrain from the kicking, but I've also heard that using your knee before your horse really understands voice commands can be helpful. I don't know if professionals really recommend that, but that's what I've seen with neighbors and what their vet was telling us.