Equustria Development professionals are well-known for their expertise and experience working with horses, and have been well-trained in the best techniques for ensuring the safest person-to-horse interaction. As they know, caring for and treating a nervous horse can often be a dangerous undertaking, making thoughtful and caring movement with the animal essential to the welfare of everyone involved.

Below, Equustria Development professionals seek to educate horse owners, trainers and beginners on the best way to approach an apprehensive animal.

Determine the Horse’s State of Mind
Before doing anything on or near your animal, says Equustria Development professionals, take care to understand the horse’s approachability and attitude. One such indicator of a nervous animal are pinned back ears, a sign that you most likely need to take caution as you begin to deal with the horse.

Side Approach
Horses have blind spots both directly in front and behind them, and a nervous horse may be likely to kick or bite if they can’t see whomever it is that is approaching them. Be sure, says Equustria Development professionals, to always approach the nervous horse from the side, which provides the animal the opportunity to correctly gauge where you are. This can help you to avoid serious injury.

It’s All In the Tone
Speak to the horse in a gentle and nonabrasive tone. Avoid yelling or making sudden inflections in your voice when talking to the animal. Providing the horse with something calm and soothing helps to reduce confusion and creates a stronger connection with the animal.

Slow, Subtle Movements
When approaching your horse, says Equustria Development professionals, be sure to take things slow. Avoid any sudden jerking movements or twitches as you approach the animal, and work your hand slowly but confidently towards the horse before committing to touching or petting it.

Exercise Patience
It’s important to maintain your patience with the horse at all times. Trust with a horse, as Equustria Development professionals know, is built over time, and developing a working relationship with the animal isn’t something that can be done overnight. Through careful movements and nonabrasive action, you have the opportunity to slowly but surely build a connection with the animal.