Taking care of horses might seem simple, but it involves considerable skills. Hamad Rashed Bin Ghadayer is the owner and trainer for prestigious racehorses and camels in the United Arab Emirates. He has traveled to and won many races and has a deep love for animals. Here he shares the five essential skills you need if you want to start working with horses.
Basic Horse Handling Skills
The most important thing for equine professionals is to be comfortable with their horses. Essential skills include haltering, leading, picking out hooves, blanketing, wrapping legs, bathing, and cooling horses. “If you’ve never had a horse of your own before, there can be a learning curve,” says Ghadayer. “Once you practice enough, you’ll be able to work with horses on a deeper level.”
Proper Grooming Techniques
Whether you’re racing or showing your horses, they should always look their best. “Every horse is a beautiful, majestic creature, and you should highlight that with their grooming routine,” adds Ghadayer. Keep your horse’s coat healthy, and notice any health issues that may occur in this area. If you plan to show your horse, you might want to learn more intense grooming techniques like braiding.
Recognizing Behavior
Horses communicate with humans in many subtle ways. Ghadayer says, “You’ll need to learn what horses mean when they act out, pin back their ears, or bare their teeth. You can become familiar with this pretty quickly. Each horse is different, but their behaviors have many similarities.”
Communicating
While it’s important to figure out what your horse is saying to you, you need to learn how to communicate back. This is especially vital while riding. You’ll need to know the tone of voice and type of touch that works for each horse to work with it properly. “The way humans communicate with horses is unique. Don’t try to talk to them like you would a dog or other pet. It won’t work,” explains the equestrian expert.
Nutrition
You should feed your horse the best proper diet you can afford. Pay attention to what your horse is eating and how often. If your horse isn’t eating correctly, you’ll need to take it to an equine vet. “Treats are okay in moderation. They are a way of showing your horse affection.”
While entering the equine field can be overwhelming, experts like Hamad Rashed Bin Ghadayer know that it’s one of the most rewarding careers out there. If you have a passion for horses, there’s no time like the present!
