Understanding the Flight Zone in Horses

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to the understanding of the flight zone in horse handling, including definitions, safety considerations, and movement strategies.

Flight Zone

The horse’s personal space; entering it too deeply can cause the horse to bolt or run over the handler.

Point of Balance

The specific location, at the shoulder, that a handler uses to influence the horse's movement forward or backward.

Tameness

The level of familiarity a horse has with a handler, affecting the size of its flight zone.

Edge of the Flight Zone

The point at which the horse begins to move away when approached by a handler.

Safety in Handling

Understanding the flight zone can help reduce stress for the horse and prevent accidents for both horse and handler.

Approach Strategies

The approach to a horse from the side results in a smaller flight zone than a head-on approach, which is perceived as more threatening.