Dangerous Habits

A horse’s bad habits rarely effect the horse, but they for damn sure effect the owner. One of the most dangerous habits people allow their horse to form is being disrespectful when they’re turning their horse out, especially with other horses. This habit often starts with the horse turning his head away while the owner is trying to take his halter off, then progresses to tossing his head and quick to trot off. Left unchecked, that eventually escalates into a horse that whips his head away before the owner can get the halter off, spins and kicks up as he gallops off. I have personally known people injured or killed after being kicked in the head turning a horse out. The last thing you do with your horse is the first thing they remember when you catch them again. That’s why it is so important to end any session, which is taking the halter off, with the horse using the thinking side of his brain vs. the reactive side. A respectful horse isn’t thinking about how fast he can get away from you. A respectful horse waits on you.