Okay so we’ve talked about saving our brain, and toes, but what really started me on the idea of extremities were my fingers.

Hands, fingers, and toes are all very upfront when working with horses.  They also manage to be in the wrong places at times.  Pretty much all the people I know, that really work with horses, have had their fingers broken or dislocated at one point.  It’s not always because we aren’t careful, it just happens.

Lead lines, longe lines, and halters are the biggest problems with reins coming in there somewhere.

First thing I tell people is not to wrap anything around their hands, it’s quickest way to get dragged.  I instruct my students to either make big circle loops or serpentine with lines and reins.  Never put knots in anything.  You may think that will give you something to grip onto, but when they slip between your fingers you are bound to dislocate a knuckle.  Wearing gloves is also a help because (depending on the type of glove) you will have a better grip and less chance of getting a rope burn.

Now from riding we know that the muscle on the inside of our arm is not as strong as the muscle on the out side of our arm.  So if you are leading a horse and want a little more control have the line come through your hand from the pinky to the thumb, instead of having the line come from the halter through your hand from thumb to pinky.  If you have a horse that is really strong, use a stud chain for leverage.  Stud chain placement is a whole other subject.

Never try to lead a horse by the halter without a lead line.  Fingers have away of getting themselves into those little rings and openings, and one swift move from the horse and they’re broken.  Just having a fly land somewhere will cause him to swing his head around with your finger in tow.  Not to mention the pull on your shoulder.

These are all silly little things that can cause great pain and inconvenience.  Always be mindful of your fingers and toes.

I give this a big Thumbs Up!