08/30/2026
One thing I wish more parents understood around animals, especially horses, is that your reaction can escalate a situation faster than your child’s actions sometimes do.
I see it constantly. A child wanders a little too close to the hind end of a horse and suddenly the parent panics. They yell and dive toward the child, to grab them as fast as they can. And while I completely understand the instinct to protect your child, that sudden reaction can be exactly what makes the situation more dangerous.
Now you have a horse that may have been standing there perfectly calm suddenly being startled by yelling, running, flailing arms, and someone diving toward them. And where is the child? Right in the middle of all of it.
Horses are prey animals. They are incredibly aware of movement, energy, and sudden changes around them. A calm horse can become frightened in a split second, especially when the humans around them suddenly act like something terrible is happening.
This doesn’t mean you should allow your child to walk W***y nilly around horses. Absolutely not. Teach them safety and how to respect an animal’s space. But prevention starts before the dangerous moment. Don’t wait until your child is walking behind a horse to teach them.
And if something does happen? Take a breath, speak evenly and move calmly. Teach your children to be safe around animals, but teach yourself how to stay calm around them, too.
