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Post by Francis Burton on Dec 12, 2005 19:39:09 GMT 1
When I was preparing for BHS exams, I was told that when you are tacking up or grooming a horse you should not to go round the back of the horse. You have to duck under the leadrope instead. Is it still BHS policy to teach that? What do people think about that advice in general? Personally, I do it all the time and have never been hurt.
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Post by beany1 on Dec 12, 2005 19:55:11 GMT 1
I was taught when going behind a horse to keep your hand on them at all times, whilst clicking your tongue, so they know you're there - ok unless a horse means to get you I suppose. I don't like going under the lead rope it feels dangerous for some reason!
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Post by fin on Dec 12, 2005 20:10:19 GMT 1
Hmmm, mind tends to paw but he also fidgets so I tend to go round whichever end isn't heading in my direction at the time! I was definately told to keep my hand on the horse if I was going behind it while I was doing the Horseowner's Certificates, but I'm pretty sure I was also told that the BHS would rather you pass in front of the horse. For a striker/habitual paw-er this isn't such good advice, but in 'real life' rather than an exam situation it all depends on the horse I suppose.
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laura
Grand Prix Poster
going for a splash
Posts: 3,867
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Post by laura on Dec 12, 2005 20:29:53 GMT 1
while I will do both with my own horses .. dont always have hand on when I pass behind as long as I been working around them and they know I am there ....my opinion on general situation is that I would generaly far rather go behind a tied up horse than in front. Being squashed bewixt gee gee and building by a spooked horse while I am in a more vulnerable crouched position and unable to move smartly out of the way is not what I choose i suppose I might re evaluate if handling a known kicker !!!!!! I have been squished more by horses than kicked !!!! I suppose if it IS BHS exam policy ...... and I were ever interested / invloved ......... I might question the policy ;D ;D ;D
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berylsmum
Grand Prix Poster
My Baby
Posts: 1,712
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Post by berylsmum on Dec 12, 2005 20:32:06 GMT 1
Depends on the horse. With my two I know them well and trust them so I am happy to go round behind the back of them, a couple of horses on my yard kick, so I don't go too near their back ends if I can help it. If it was a strange horse I would be much more careful until I got to know the horse properly.
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Post by lovingponies on Dec 12, 2005 20:32:48 GMT 1
I always keep a hand on my pony and go round the back, i think its good for them to get used to having there sides and rear end touched. I also don't like going under the lead rope cause i don't feel you can move away as quick if you need to.
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Post by Louise C on Dec 12, 2005 20:46:07 GMT 1
I prefer going behind to in front as well, Flynn used to pull back a lot so I always thought it would give him more of an excuse to if I went in front of him than behind. I now do both quite happily. You do need to let them know you are there. I can't ever remember being told when doing BHS exams to go in front only, but it was over 20 yrs ago.
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Post by circusdancer on Dec 12, 2005 20:48:24 GMT 1
I'd feel safer with the hand on the back end rather than ducking under a lead rope if it was a horse not very well known to me. I'm sure its the BHS policy now as well.
I'm sure we all duck under the lead rope at times with our own but it does seem a bit of daft position to be in should anything happen.
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Post by wildrover on Dec 12, 2005 20:59:33 GMT 1
I would think it depends on the space etc.
However, my understanding is that you do not walk around the back of a horse. Putting your hand on him aint gonna help one bit if he decides to give you one or both barrels. Horse might just have seen a bag blowing up in the air, or a leaf of a tree - he aint gonna think, "Oh thats my owner there, I'll not kick out at that monster paper bag thats gonna eat me"
If you get a hoof in the head the next riding you gonna be doing is on the way to the pearly gates.
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Post by jor on Dec 12, 2005 21:02:01 GMT 1
The BHS teach to go under the horses neck (NOT the leadrope) they do not reccomend or teach going behind the horse except for when you are well out of kicking reach. To be honest I would prefer going under a strange horses neck with a hand on the headcollar/leadrope than wandering round the back of it with no control over the rest of the horse. I go round the back of my own all the time, i feel it is part of thier training as ponies who are around young children/dogs/pushchairs etc etc to be used to things being in close proximity to thier back legs and bottom and for them not to be alarmed by this and kick out. In stage I (which is where this is taught) its all about health and safety. How many of the people who take stage I only go to riding schools? Would you tell novices at a riding school to go round the back of thier horse rather than under its neck with a hand on the headcollar/leadrope/horses shoulder? Think how many places would be sued by riders told to walk round the kicking end of a horse rather than under the tied up end? Though I see your point and I walk round the back and go under the front equally (I think) I do think its safer to teach people to go under the horses neck (I stress not under the leadrope!) rather than walking round his bottom. With your own horse at home its a different matter but would any of you seriously walk round the backend of a completely strange horse?
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Post by rj on Dec 12, 2005 21:05:53 GMT 1
Well of course being an NH person, I ask my horse (who is rarely tied up) to move out of the way, by yielding front or back end & keep walking in a straight line. No problem!!!
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Post by circusdancer on Dec 12, 2005 21:19:21 GMT 1
I remember we were individually asked during a Stage I lesson how we should move around the horse and the majority demonstrated by placing a hand on the horse's hindquarters whilst reassuring him of their position. I'm certain that our instructor was in agreement with us as we discussed the pitfalls of ducking under the neck/leadrope, moving around the back end at a distance etc.
It made sense to me. If you have a hand on the horse, you have an, albeit small, early warning system whereas moving around the back at what might feel a safe distance, potentially allows any kick to have maximum impact (might also contact the head as Wildrover pointed out).
I can see this is going to be an enlightening thread. I wonder if anyone can provide some examples.
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Post by breezeocean4tray on Dec 12, 2005 21:28:53 GMT 1
I can go either way round the girls, ive even gone under there belly to take a short cut, but i trust both 110%. They dont push, barge and dont kick. I can touch them from head to tail, but then they r my girls....
If i was to work with a horse i didn,t know, i would go under the lead rope, i put a hand on there chest ask them to take a step bk, then pick the lead rope up and walk under..... This shows dominance over the horse without compromise to saftey.
I think it is all in how much u know and trust the horse, the main thing is to keep safe.......
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Post by breezeocean4tray on Dec 12, 2005 21:35:11 GMT 1
LOL i do have to say here, im only 4ft 11, so i dont duck as such LOL
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Post by june on Dec 12, 2005 21:56:47 GMT 1
I tend to go round the back of all of ours. I'm sure the BHS still teaches you to go under the neck though.
Tonight as I was mucking out I swept one side of the stables (ours are on mats) and then moved across to the other side. I stood at each of the horses' hind quarters and clicked and the horse moved across to the other side of the stable so I could sweep out the side I hadn't done. It made me think about how on earth they knew to do that. The technique worked for all 11 horses that are in at night. They never cease to amaze me!
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