Horse Sense for Walkers, Trampers and Runners Safely sharing trails and recreation spaces with horses Staying Safe is as Simple as 1.2.3 Teach your children this simple 1.2.3 if you go to areas with horses.

1. 2. 3.

Stand still Arms at sides Quiet

People give way to horses on trails. This is purely because it’s usually a lot easier for a small person to find enough room to give way than a large horse (esp on a narrow track). Say hello and let the rider be your guide. The rider may prefer to move the horse around you, reassure you that all is fine, or ask for your help (direct you how) to safely pass quietly and calmly. Never assume that all horses are ok Young horses like young children, need to learn how to behave and may be afraid of new things.

About Horses Horses have been living with humans for some 6000 years, they are a vital part of our history and heritage. For many people who no longer meet livestock, the sheer size of a horse makes you nervous. Here are some things that we hope will make you feel more comfortable and safe around horses.

Eyes, Ears and Nose! Horses have vastly improved senses over we humans. Most of the reactions that seem unpredictable, are actually very predictable once we understand what they can (or can’t) see, hear and smell. Horses have:   

Eyes that see almost 360 degrees, but their vision is not the same as humans. They only have a very small area of clear binocular vision. Ears that hear sounds well beyond our hearing; rustling means a predator! A nose as sensitive as a dog’s, and in the past they have been used by cavalry for scent tracking.

Provided by NZ Horse Network www.nzhorseriders.info You can download additional copies from Horse Sense on the Roads www.horsesenseontheroads.info

More Tips to Stay Safe Umbrellas. An umbrella has a special magic, that can cause fear in a horse. If you are walking near horses with one, do keep an eye on the horse and rider to see if either are having a nervous fit as you approach. If you (are asked to) take your umbrella down, please do so slowly, and do not flick the rain out of it. Let the horse get well past before putting it up again, remember it has 350 degree vision! Flappy things, and things that rustle: Raincoats, plastic bags, backpack covers, tents or other things that rustle or flap in the wind are all highly suspect to a horse. At the beach this can include beach towels, surfboards, kites etc. Please try to stop the thing flapping or rustling while the horse passes. Runners - while many horses will not bat an eye at a runner either coming up behind them or at them, it will often depend on how close you are to them and how calm or experienced they are. From a horse's point of view, someone running is either running from something (that they might need to run from too) or running at them (to eat them). In either case, this is something they tend to pay attention to. Be particularly aware of your own clothing, a rustling raincoat or bumping backpack at running speed is something that many horses may be wary of.

Children. Kids love horses, and most horses will be particularly careful and gentle around children. But be particularly careful of small children around horses. Never let a child approach a horse unsupervised by the rider. A horse cannot see well near its legs. The size of a large horse can be overwhelming to a small child, don’t push them to ‘pat the horse’.   

Always ask the rider if it is okay for your child to approach, most riders will happily help your child pat their horse safely. Do not expect to be able to ride or place your child on a strange horse. Stand still, arms at sides, talk quietly

Balls, toys, kites, sticks, trikes etc can all worry a horse. movements of children or objects can scare them.

The rapid, unpredictable

Dogs. While many horses are used to dogs, please keep dogs under control. Put your dog on a lead if you are not sure how it will react to seeing a horse. Remember horses are prey, and dogs are predators, even a friendly puppy will be viewed as a potential threat if it rushes at a horse. Herding dog breeds can instinctively go to the back of the horse; a horse will instinctively kick at such attention. A kick will kill your dog/puppy no matter what its innocent intentions

Share with Care and Enjoy the Trails!

Provided by NZ Horse Network www.nzhorseriders.info You can download additional copies from Horse Sense on the Roads www.horsesenseontheroads.info