Historic Hitchin' Post Stables L.L.C.
4848 Lake Mary Road angelhitchinpost@gmail.com 928-774-1719
HORSE RELATED ACTIVITIES COME WITH THIS WARNING
1) I am hereby advised to purchased and wear a well-fitted helmet, hardhat or similar protective head gear fastened securely under the chin while working around or riding horses to prevent injuries.
2) I am hereby advised to always wear hard soled, fully enclosed shoes or boots and socks to protect feet; and long pants to protect legs while working around or riding horses.
SECTION B. THE NATURE AND PHYSICAL CHARACTER OF THE HORSE
While domesticated, well trained horses are usually obedient, docile and affectionate, it is important to understand that their survival instincts are what has allowed the horse to survive from prehistoric time to the present day.
1) I am advised that horses are unpredictable by nature, with minds of their own, as are all animals both domestic and wild. The horse is often somewhat high strung or nervous by nature. Horses are extremely strong and powerful physically. Horses are tremendously heavy, weighing from 600 to 1300 pounds on the average. These characteristics deserve a human being's utmost respect.
2) I am advised that when a horse is frightened, angry, under stress or feels threatened, it is his instinct to jump forward or sideways and/or to run away from danger at a trot or gallop of speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
3) I am advised that if a horse is frightened or feels threatened from behind, it may kick straight back; sideways in either direction; or even forward with either of its hind legs with tremendous force.
4) I am advised that when a horse is frightened or feels threatened from above it or on its back, it may hunch its back and buck in a way that could throw a rider to the ground with tremendous force. A fall from a horse will usually be from a height of 3 to 6 feet.
5) I am advised that if a horse is frightened or feels threatened from the front, it may naturally react by rearing up with its front legs; strike with one or both front legs; bite with its teeth; throw its head up or from side to side; or run directly over whatever it fears in front of it.
6) I am advised that a human must always approach a horse calmly, quietly and cautiously, preferably from near its shoulder or lower neck, talking soothingly to it.
7) I am advised that loud and/or sudden unexpected movements; dropping of objects near a horse; approaching vehicles, animals or people; ill-fitting equipment and/or physical pain can provoke a domesticated horse to react according to his natural protective instincts.
8) I am advised that the first signs of langer or fear in a horse are the sudden tensing of the muscles of the body; possible laying its ears flat back against its head; quickly tossing or raising its head; and sudden snorting through the nostrils accompanying at least one other warning sign.
9) I have been advised that a horse can see independently with each eye, actually looking in one direction with one eye and another direction with the other eye, or it can focus both eyes on one object somewhere in front of it;