Methods to Restrain Horses
When restraining a horse, there are a few ways to do it and do them safely for you and the horse. Restraint can be used for a physical examine by a vet, handling, and instruction. Also, try to do the most minimal amount possible. There are three main categories of restraints: physical, verbal, and chemical.
Physical:
- Halter and a Lead Rope is a good place to start. Do not want to wrap any part of the lead rope around your hand in case the horse were to run off.
-Chain over the Nose: by placing a chain between the halter and nose it provides a little extra, to let the horse know that you are in charge.
-Lip or Gum Chain: this is a little bit more severe because of the sensitivity of the gums, this one needs steady pressure to keep in place. If it slips in the mouth damaging the tongue and side of the mouth is possible. This is normally done on breeding stallions to keep in control of them.
-Neck Twitch: by grabbing the skin on the neck of the horse is a great way to distract them from a vaccine or from anything.
-Ear Twitch: do this by grabbing the ear and pulling but not very hard, if done to many times a horse can become very sensitive about their ears and may cause trouble when braid, bridling, and clipping, etc.
-Lifting a Limb : do this if a horse is wanting to kick when you get near the hooves ( picking them), but be careful horses are strong and may pull the limbs right out
-Cross Ties: great for grooming but be careful some horses do not like cross ties and will start throwing a fit
-Stocks: these are basically a holding area to do rectal exams and reproductive evaluations. Be careful with these horses maybe try and jump out or go down.
Verbal:
-Talking to the Horse: soothing and reassuring a horse can go a long way. By using a calm voice can calm the horse calm down and realize they are not in danger. Also using a stern voice when voice when leading can help make them listen better and be less fidgety.
Chemical:
Using chemical restraints may be the easiest way to control a horse. The amount you give a horse will depend on the age, weight, health, risk, and what is going to happen. Not normally used for physical exams because it may cause lower heart rate, lower breathing rate, and not as alert.
Foals:
Foals have some different methods because of age, size and training. Grabbing the around limbs and body carefully is one of the easiest way to restrain a foal. To do that you want to grab to front of the chest and over the tail to hold in place. Never pull on a foals head or neck because of injuries can occur. Also do not tie a foal they can hurt themselves very easily.
Physical:
- Halter and a Lead Rope is a good place to start. Do not want to wrap any part of the lead rope around your hand in case the horse were to run off.
-Chain over the Nose: by placing a chain between the halter and nose it provides a little extra, to let the horse know that you are in charge.
-Lip or Gum Chain: this is a little bit more severe because of the sensitivity of the gums, this one needs steady pressure to keep in place. If it slips in the mouth damaging the tongue and side of the mouth is possible. This is normally done on breeding stallions to keep in control of them.
-Neck Twitch: by grabbing the skin on the neck of the horse is a great way to distract them from a vaccine or from anything.
-Ear Twitch: do this by grabbing the ear and pulling but not very hard, if done to many times a horse can become very sensitive about their ears and may cause trouble when braid, bridling, and clipping, etc.
-Lifting a Limb : do this if a horse is wanting to kick when you get near the hooves ( picking them), but be careful horses are strong and may pull the limbs right out
-Cross Ties: great for grooming but be careful some horses do not like cross ties and will start throwing a fit
-Stocks: these are basically a holding area to do rectal exams and reproductive evaluations. Be careful with these horses maybe try and jump out or go down.
Verbal:
-Talking to the Horse: soothing and reassuring a horse can go a long way. By using a calm voice can calm the horse calm down and realize they are not in danger. Also using a stern voice when voice when leading can help make them listen better and be less fidgety.
Chemical:
Using chemical restraints may be the easiest way to control a horse. The amount you give a horse will depend on the age, weight, health, risk, and what is going to happen. Not normally used for physical exams because it may cause lower heart rate, lower breathing rate, and not as alert.
Foals:
Foals have some different methods because of age, size and training. Grabbing the around limbs and body carefully is one of the easiest way to restrain a foal. To do that you want to grab to front of the chest and over the tail to hold in place. Never pull on a foals head or neck because of injuries can occur. Also do not tie a foal they can hurt themselves very easily.