Handling Horses

Horses require calm, sympathetic handling by competent and experienced people. Horses respond best to a firm but gentle approach and to rewards for correct responses.

Handlers should think ahead to ensure that the horses are not panicked by unexpected occurrences.

Discipline, if appropriate must be administered immediately following an act of misconduct, and must be reasonable and no more severe than necessary to achieve the trainers objectives (this does not give the trainer a license to be cruel to an animal).

Any restraint method should be used in the most mild and effective way possible, and should be applied for the minimum required period by a competent person.