Training Tip: Turnout Safety Tips

#1 – If you’re turning your horse out with other horses, get the other horses away from the gate before leading your horse through it. People often suffer serious injuries turning horses out because they’re unaware of herd dynamics of horses. When you throw your horse into a herd, the other horses will react, and if you’re not careful, you’ll get injured in the process. Horses aren’t looking to nail you, but they are big and strong, and as they interact with other horses, they can easily forget that you’re standing just a few feet away from them. That’s how you get run over or get kicked.

#2 – When you are ready to unhalter your horse, be at least 100 feet into the pasture, away from the gate and away from the fence, so you have room to move. You want to avoid getting pinned against the fence with nowhere to go, either by your horse or by other horses crowding him.