Horses Don’t Like to Step on You

I know this is a weird thought, but horses do not like stepping on people. We’re squishy. The human body does not feel like secure footing to a horse so if they can and they want to, they will avoid stepping on you.

I once had a horse that would occasionally freak out when you put your foot into the stirrup preparing to mount. I knew this, but since it was something she’d never done to me before, I forgot. Bad idea. I was getting ready to pony my other horse off of her. I put one foot in the stirrup, grabbed some mane, and the mare exploded. I fell onto my back with two horses freaking out right on top of me. I thought I was dead for sure. When they both ran off, I sat up and examined myself. No bruises, no fractures, nothing was squished. I did, however, have hoof prints all over my shirt. The horses knew I was there and avoided stomping on me.

My husband the farrier used to rodeo. He had a stallion he rode all the time. After the rodeo he put Satan, great name, into the trailer and then went of and got roaring drunk. He found his trailer, crawled into the stall with Satan and passed out. In the morning, he was wet because the stud peed all over him, but never stepped on him. He was wet and the stud was sick of being locked in the trailer, but not stepped on.

Now horses know exactly where their feet are. I hear what you’re saying. How can that be? For one thing, do you know where your feet are? Of course you do and just because a horse has four does not mean he’s lost track of them. When I was a polo groom, I had one horse that would intentionally step on your foot if given the chance. I found that out the hard way. Broken toes. Boots can only do so much. He would watch out of the corner of his eye, and when I stupidly stepped in close to put on his bridle, he nailed my foot. He’d been waiting.

So, even though a horse won’t step on you, does not mean they won’t stomp on your foot, especially if by doing so they can avoid work. Horses only do one thing voluntarily and that’s eat. Some are kinder and more willing and some less. So always be careful, and know if a stampede of horses is headed your way, hide.

Author: Janet Post

I’m the daughter of a Marine Corps colonel. I lived the military life until I got out of high school. At that point I was a wild child. I got married and moved to Canada where I lived up the Sechelt Inlet, the scene for Spellcast Waters. I lived in a log cabin, with wood heat and a wood cook stove fifteen miles by boat from the nearest town. I’ve moved a lot. Between the military upbringing and just rambling around the country, I’ve moved 40 times. I lived in Hawaii and worked as a polo groom for fifteen years, then I moved to Florida where I became a reporter. For ten years I covered kids in high school and middle school. Kids as athletes, kids doing amazing things no matter how hard their circumstances. It impressed me, and it awed me. How wonderful teens are. They have spirit and courage in the face of the roughest time of their lives. High school is a war zone. Between dodging bullies, school work and after school activities, teens now days have a lot on their plate. I wrote stories about them and I photographed them. My goal was to see every kid in their local newspaper before they graduated. I love kids, horses and I paint, and I write. Now I live in the swampland of Florida with too many dogs and my fifteen-year old granddaughter. Life is beautiful. Live in the moment. View all posts by Janet Post