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Build your confidence in handling horses on the ground, whether you’re a rider or the vital helping hand

Being competent around horses isn’t just about self-belief in the saddle. Many people who manage horses on a regular basis only ever do so from the ground, but it’s imperative you have the self-assurance and experience to handle them confidently. In the second part of this exclusive series on confidence for H&H subscribers, we take a look at four ways to improve your handling skills
Becky Murray Becky Murray

    • Handling horses with confidence doesn’t come naturally to everyone, especially if you have a horse who is tricky to manage or you don’t have the necessary experience. Fortunately, building confidence on the ground is usually a case of increasing competence and expertise, which comes from good guidance and preparation as you tackle this area.

    There are degrees of the extent to which you may want to handle a horse from the ground, from leading horses in and out of the field to long-lining horses over poles. Regardless of the level, anyone with anything to do with handling horses needs to be competent. This applies to non-riders, too – for example the parent or other half who is roped in as a helping hand at shows, loading horses to competitions or just on the yard.

    Horses soon clock if their handler doesn’t know what they’re doing, and while many may adopt a nannying role, there are plenty who will take control of the situation if their handler appears unsure. Confidence and competence are key.

    Good groundwork is essential, whatever your level of experience, for the safety of the handler, the horse and everyone else on the yard. If a horse is tricky to handle, the best practice is to go back to basics to establish appropriate, safe behaviour. Do not be afraid to seek help from an experienced coach.

    Right from the outset, horses should be taught to lead politely, to stop when asked, to wait and to back up. Horses weigh half a tonne, and so you need to establish trust and communication, and set boundaries of personal space, because if they throw their weight around, you are going to be at risk.

    Loading a horse, one of the ways of handling horses on the ground.

    Loading horses is part and parcel of handling them, and requires a confident approach. Credit: Philip Barker

    4 areas to boost your confidence in handling horses

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    Becky Murray
    Becky Murray

    H&H senior news writer
    Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
    Becky Murray

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