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Safety first

Important information about handling horses!

Our horses are good and balanced. Nevertheless, they can be startled or react to stimuli from their immediate environment. To ensure the best possible experience with our mounts, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • The riding helmet must be tight and not slip around.
  • Riding ankle boots, riding boots or, if possible, sturdy, ankle-high shoes for optimal protection and a secure feeling in the stirrup.
  • Greet the horse that you are allowed to ride in a friendly manner: stroking and kind words keep the horse confident and calm.
  • Never approach the horse from behind: always maintain eye contact or sufficient distance.
  • Don't hand-feed the horse or it will end up looking for food all over your body. You are welcome to put an apple or carrot in the horse's feed bowl or on the ground.
  • Be careful and loving when saddling and bridling: slowly and carefully place the saddle on the horse's back and don't strap too tight at first. Wait until the horse willingly accepts the bit.
  • Mount slowly and carefully: only bullies will smack the horse in the back.
  • Treat your horse like a friend while riding: kicking, hitting, yanking the reins and scolding are not welcome!
  • Take care of your horse properly after riding: groom it, pet it and say thank you.
  • Walk at the SIDE of horse between head and shoulder.
  • The horse is always led from the left side.
  • At the grooming station, there must be enough space between the neighboring horses (so that you cannot get trapped between the horses).
  • try to exude calm
  • no quick movements
  • no nervousness
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Horse body language

not always easy to understand

Horse body language

not always easy to understand

  • If the horse keeps its ears in the basic position, they are erect without tension and the pinnae point forward and outward. This is the best position for him to cover his surroundings because he can hear everything that is going on in front and to the side in terms of noise.
  • If it hears an unfamiliar sound, it will immediately turn both ears in that direction, and if the sound is disturbing, it will turn its head or even its whole body in that direction.
  • If a ridden horse lets its ears fall limply to the side and backwards and the auricles are directed towards the rider, the animal shows fear of him and thus submits.
  • Horses snort as an alarm signal to warn other horses or to show that everything is fine and there is no danger.
  • Horses growl in greeting, at the sight of feed, when the stable door opens, or when a mare reprimands her foal.

Defensive threats

  • Dangerous expression, with ears more or less set to the side, ear opening downwards and backwards
  • Body muscles tense with a tendency to flee
  • Horse tries to "make itself small", back line falls backwards

Aggressive threats

  • Threatening expression with backward ears
  • Horse trying to get "big", arched topline
  • Head / neck is turned towards the aggressor, a bite threat is possible

Please note the above rules for your own safety and to spend a carefree holiday with us in the Oberschwarzach.

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