Approaching and Handling

APPROACHING AND HANDLING

PURPOSE

To record the rectal temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate

To collect blood and give injection

For performing surgical operation

For easy transportation of animals

To examine the skin surface and treat the simple wounds

For shoeing and trimming the over grown feet

During mating time to prevent injury to stallion

APPROACHING AND HANDLING

·                     When approaching a horse, always talk to the animal before touching it. Always approach it on the near side.

LEADING THE 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 walks on the horses left, opposite to its head placing himself about an arm’s length from the head.

·                     The right hand should the reins close to the horses mouth. The left hand should hold the loose ends of the coiled reins.

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 animal 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.

Head should be kept low, hold the cheek pieces and push the horse back

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 defects 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 its head.

After trotting, the horse should be stopped and always turn round to the off side.

RESTRAINING METHODS

Chain shank

This chain shank is frequently used for further restraining . The chain may be placed through the mouth and arched to the cheek ring on the opposite side, serving as a bridle.

The chain may also be placed over the bridge of the nose. By gently tugging the shank one can divert animals attention. The pressure exerted tensed to pull the nose down.

Twitch

The twitch is the most important manual tool used in equine restraint . The principle is based on the reaction to pressure applied to sensitive lip . Endorphins are released that cause lowering of the heart rate and an increased performed elsewhere on the limbs (or ) on the other side of the body.

The most satisfactory twitch consisting of a short length of chain attached to a hard wood handled approximately two feet long . A rope may also be used . A piece handled with two holes drilled at the sides to admit the rope to pass through is a satisfactory base.

To use a twitch ,grasp the twitch and the cheek piece of the halter with the right hand. Place the finger’s of the left hand partially through the loop of the twitch. Don’t insert whole hand to the loop, as this complicate placement of the twitch . Bring the left hand over the bridge of the nose and gently move to the upper lip . Once the operator is prepares to grasp the lip, it should be done firmly to prevent the horse from pulling away . Once the fingers have firm grasp of the nose, the rope (or) chain is brought over the lip and right hand begins to twist the loop. Twist firmly to maintain grip, but not so tightly that produce pain.

Don’t use the twitch as a leaver, the pressure on the lip should be twist not a pull. When twitching pull the head to the front legs, if the horse should strike. The handler should stand close to the shoulder on the rear side, never stand in front of the horse.

It is more desirable to carryout a rocking motion with the handle . So the twist is released and tensed periodically.

By hand

The hand can be used as a mild twitch. The horses attention may be diverted by pressing on the eyelid (or ) grasping a fold of skin at the shoulder.

Some horses will refuse and fight a twitch but can be restrained by applying pressure to one (or) both ears . To do this , stand in front of the shoulder along the neck. Grasp the left ear with the right hand, the left hand grasp the halter (or) is placed over the bridge of horse nose.

Pull the horses head towards our side to keep the animal slightly imbalance. As soon as the animals feels pressure on the ear , it will pull away towards the right. The tension on the ear can be increased (or) decreased by simple opening and closing the hand.

Muzzle

They are used by man to prevent the horses from chewing upon wounds and bandages and to starve the animal before medical administration. Two types of muzzle

Leather box muzzle – expensive but durable

Wire muzzle - Cheap but less durable and comfortable

Bib

It is a leather sheet which can be buckled on to the cheek and back stay on the head stall . It is completely convenient in the lower lip. It is used to prevent the horses from tearing its own clothing.

Neck cradles

It is used to prevent the lateral movement of the head. Ten to twelve pieces of 18 inches length and whose front ends are pointed.

They are strung 2 pieces of wood bored longitudinally comes between each, which is bored transversely top and bottom. This applied at the neck and tied along the crest.

It prevent the horses from turning its head to other parts of the body