Always announce your arrival before you open the stable door. Never surprise a horse by approaching him without speaking to him first and holding out your hand. The horse who is otherwise of a quiet temperament may react violently, i.e. by kicking, if he is startled and alarmed. It is the horse's natural instinct to be defensive so it is important that you approach in a calm but direct manner. He should always be encouraged to come towards you. It is not necessary to offer the horse a tit-bit each time you see him. The exception to this is the young or timid animal who lacks confidence in man; in this case a bowl or bucket containing a few oats or nuts will encourage him to be handled. As soon as the animal has overcome his fear it is advisable to dispense with the bait before he comes to rely on it.

Whenever you visit the horse and find him standing by the door, insist that he stands back whilst you enter. He should also be taught to stand up and be still whilst you are in the box. When working around him in the stable, e.g. when mucking out, grooming, tacking-up, clipping, changing rugs and bandages etc., it is recommended that he is tied up by a headcollar and rope to a fixed ring in the wall. Always close the stable door after you, even if you know the horse well and are confident that he will not pass you once you are inside. Never be left to close the stable door after the horse has bolted!

Confidence in handling horses at all times is a prerequisite in terms of establishing respect, trust and confidence from the animal. He should be dealt with in a direct and positive manner at all times with an awareness for safety constantly in mind. Anticipation of an animal's reaction to a given situation is born out of experience of horses and an intimate knowledge of each horse. Familiarity with an individual can lead to complacency and over-confidence, which is often why accidents occur.

Through his superior strength the horse could always have an advantage over man if ever he wanted and this is something the handler should respect. Old-fashioned ways of taming the horse, forcing him to submit through the use of rough and uncultured methods, are thankfully a thing of the past. Patience, intelligence and a sincere affection for the horse are some of the necessary attributes of the handler/trainer. A good horseman has a quiet but firm attitude to his horses, only raising his voice to reprimand, praising whenever necessary, anticipating trouble and dealing with it promptly. If the horse is to learn he must be given every chance to understand what is required of him, be encouraged to cooperate and kept calm without fear or excitement of a situation or person. Bad manners on the part of the horse can be the result of his misunderstanding your instructions, so be sure not to confuse or alarm him for he is easily excitable.

The horse's age, temperament and character should be given due consideration at all times. Whilst each horse's courage and intelligence vary and therefore his capacity for learning, the trainer must ensure that his pupil is never asked too much too soon. Each lesson should be thoroughly established before the next is introduced. Do not expect a fresh horse to absorb any training until he is settled and attentive. He will not concentrate on his work whilst his attention is diverted through high spirits or other distractions. At the same time he should not be allowed to take advantage; the observant handler/trainer will recognize this. It is a mistake to expect the same response from a horse two days running. His education should be regarded as rungs on a ladder. If his progress is not kept within his capabilities he should be taken back to a lower 'rung' until he is ready to move up again. A horse with above-average confidence and intelligence should not be taken too fast or his generosity abused; sooner or later he will come unstuck and you may have to go right back to basics. Always be sure that the horse understands what is required of him and reward him accordingly.