Safety on the Ground: A Lesson With Trent

Safety is paramount when working with horses. Here are a few tips, especially for kids, that will keep you safe on the ground.
Holding the Lead Rope
It is wise to fold the lead rope rather than coil it like a lariat. Coiling the lead rope can lead to it getting wrapped around your hands.
Leading
I prefer to have a horse lead at my shoulder rather than too far behind me so that I am in the clear if he spooks.
Walking Behind the Horse
It is safer to walk right behind the horse, maintaining contact with him, rather than getting out farther where the horse can make more impact if he tried to kick.
Handling the Feet
I like to put the lead rope in my outside hand, then touch the horse's chestnut to ask him to pick that foot up. For the back foot, I start at the top of the hip and work my hands down to make sure he is okay with it. To pick that foot up, I squeeze the hock lightly until he picks the foot up.
Leaving a Lead Rope Slack
If you are going to drop the lead rope, it can be a good idea to drape it over the horse's neck or saddle horn rather than leaving it on the ground.
Taking the Halter Off
Wrap the lead rope around the neck prior to taking the halter off so that you have something to grab if the horse decides to try to walk off.
I hope this lesson helps you and your kids have fun with horses while remaining safe.
Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride!
-Ken McNabb

[@dawneendostert3576]

Good teaching moments with Trent. His face was right where he could get “cow kicked” to the side. He’s blessed to have his dad’s horses to work with. Ask me how I know a nine year old kid who had to learn on her own can get kicked like that, but not my face. And I have just been given a 21 year old gelding that has been ignoring his former owner (my niece) and running over or knocking her flying. I called the prior owner and she was surprised to here he was like this. He had developed bad habits with a newly horse owner. A friend bought him and did some good work with him but she quit coming around for a while so he’s back to spooking from”air” so time for some pay attention to me work. We practiced little circles then I would walk off and more circles, here, there, and so on. Then a short lesson on standing beside me calmly at the mounting block (stump-he’s 16.3 hands). The former owner said she had put all kinds of people on him and camped and showed him all over Oregon. It doesn’t take long for them to get sour. I enjoy your common sense way of talking and doing things and the fun trail rides. I loved the tag game. I was able to play polo with my QH with a group using brooms and a basket ball. I held back until the ball escaped the huddle then we went in low and fast and took the ball to the goal. That little Poco Buena great something grandson could move quick. You might think about that for a game with your group.

[@jakesacco264]

As someone who has gotten into horses as an adult this video is great. So many lifelong horse people forget things that have become instinctual and can’t teach even if you ask

[@donpettinger8079]

Excellent video. It is wonderful how you are so patient with your sons teaching them all that you know.

[@livesoutdoors1708]

Yay Trent!👍

[@tifalockheartw]

I love how you just maneuver this kiddo hahaha I love your videos so much, it's really helping me with my young sons and their old Arab mare.

[@kristinschmidt4735]

Thanks, Trent! This helped me learn a thing or two.

[@horsecrazy7655]

Thanks for sharing some basics! So many people have no idea about any of that, I am at a 70 horse stables in California and boy do I see some stuff, if we just keep throwing it out there maybe more people will pick up some good horsemanship skills 🙏🏻

[@paloma4444]

Is standing glued to the horses behind really the safest place?