September 2005

Proper Restraint: It Involves Analysis

Know what type of situation you’re dealing with and what method is best applied.

The most basic method of restraint is an everyday halter and rope.

No question about it: Horses are big, strong animals. Even that innocent-looking little Shetland pony in the backyard can give a burly man a good fight. Fortunately, most horses are incredibly easy to work with, or man would never have been able to domesticate them. However, there are still situations that require more restraint than a lead line and halter.

It’s important to realize that the horse may have different reasons for being resistant, and this can have an important bearing on how you deal with the problem. The two basic categories are: …