The cute little song from Snow White has a lot of merit.

Your horse is a fight or flight animal by nature.  Most of the time we are trying to override nature.  Tough act with some horses.

Now when we work around horses, it’s usually a mindless game.  We’re thinking about other things as opposed to things we are doing out of habit.  Sometimes their attention wanders also.  Not a good combination.

First of all, you are there to spend time with your horse, whether it’s quality time or just throwing them grain.  So you have to let them know that you are there for them, and they must pay attention to you.

You have them on the cross tie, they are focusing on something in the distance.  You walk up and start to brush them, you startle them.  Usually they’ll just flinch, or step aside, as opposed to breaking the cross ties and leaving Dodge.

I’ve watched people cleaning their horses while talking to someone else in the barn.  They are concentrating on their conversation, not paying any attention to what the horse is doing or thinking.  They go to pick up a hind foot and all of a sudden it goes flying past their head.  Their horse wasn’t even aware that they were going to do that.  It’s a natural instinct for the horse to kick out at something grabbing their leg.

Whenever you are working around your horse always let him know where you are, and what your intentions are.  Hum, sing, whistle, touch, or just tell them about your day as you go around them.  They are excellent listeners, and do not judge.  It’s usually soothing to them, and they will always be aware of where you are, even if their eyes and ears are on something else.

Talk about multi-tasking, they’ve got it down to a science.  God made them so their ears and eyes can view and hear many things at the same time.

So as you walk around your horse, keep sliding your fingers over his body, and “Whistle While You Work” no surprises needed.