Approaching and handling of farm animals Approaching of horse When approaching a horse, always talk to the animal before touching it. Always approach it form the near side. It is not advisable to carry a stick and to wear bright coloured clothings. Do not let the animals suspect that you are afraid of it. Hold the halter and handle the head first before touching other parts of the body. In a loose box, when approaching the horse from the near side talk to the animal, hold the forelock, ear or nose, or mane until the halter has been put on. When nearing the hind leg area one of the fore leg should be lifted. Lifting of forelimbLifting of hindlimb

Approaching a horse in the open Always have a halter or stall ready to put on them. If the horse does not respond to the call it must be rounded up into the corner by 2 or 3 men and approached from the near side. A piece of bread or a lump of jaggery can be given to the animal and then the halter can be put on.

Leading a horse To lead a horse, a halter, a bridle or head collar, with shank is necessary. When a horse is to be led for any distance, in public a bridle should always be put on. The person leading the horse should walk on the horses left, opposite to its head placing himself about an arm’s length from the head. The right hand should hold the reins close to the horse’s mouth. The left hand should hold the loose ends of the coiled reins.

Lead a horse in the stable When the horse approaches the stable door the attendant will hold each side of the bridle or reins close upto the bit, with a hand on either side, and when the horse is levelled up in the middle of the doorway, the attendant will back through, the horse. He should make the horse enter squarely and walk straight upto the manger till it is secure.

Leading a horse out of stable The horse should be backed straight back out of the stable into the passage way behind. Care should be taken that the horse should not knock its hip against the sides of the door. But it is safer for the man to turn his back to the door, hold the head stall with both hands and walk backwards out of the stable.

Backing the horse To back the horse, entire rope is folded to sufficient length and placed over the noseband of the head stall. Holding the ends of the folded rope with the cheek pieces of the head stall the horse is gently pushed backwards. Care should be taken that the head of the animals is kept as low as possible. Backing is done while putting the horse into the stable. It is also carried out to find out any defects in the loin.

Turning a horse It is always done away from a person holding it and never towards him. The horse should be turned to the right side with its hind legs as anchor.

Trotting a horse The horse is trotted for exercise and also to detect any defect in the limbs. The man should walk on the near side of the animal and should hold the rope or reins about 18 inches from the horse’s mouth and keeping this length quite slack he should also look to his front and not towards the horse. He should run at a slow pace, only along the side of the animal. If the horse refuses to trot, he must be driven from behind and not pulled by the man at his head. After trotting, the horse should be stopped and always turn round to the off side.

Halter a horse First loosen the nose pieces. Then apply the halter straight over the animals head and finally adjust the nose piece to the required level.