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“All the articles you have come to love in Equest Magazine are now available in this podcast, Equest on Audio. Each article is released as its own separate episode to make them quick and easy to listen to. This article was posted on February 27th, 2026.”From the transcript
To keep everyone safe when hand-walking a recuperating horse follow these 7 simple rules.
To read this article, visit: https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/handwalking-tips.
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Equus on Audio — 7 ways to make hand-walking work for your horse. Machine-transcribed; use the interactive transcript above to jump the player to any line.
All the articles you have come to love in Equest Magazine are now available in this podcast, Equest on Audio. Each article is released as its own separate episode to make them quick and easy to listen to. Search Equest on Audio to subscribe on your favorite podcast player and you'll never miss an article. This article was posted on February 27th, 2026. It was written by Melinda Freckleton, DVM, with Christine Barachat and is titled Seven Ways to Make Handwalking Work for Your Horse. After a period of stall rest, a graduation to handwalking can be a welcome change for a horse. For the handler who has to walk him, however, it can be quite a challenge. A horse who has been cooped up can greet his relative freedom with such enthusiasm that he re-injures himself or hurts the person trying to walk him. To keep everyone safe, follow these guidelines. 1. Plan your walks for quiet times. Don't walk the recuperating horse while others are being fed or turned out.
Wait until things are calm and even boring around the barn. 2. Walk in a location with good footing. Slick or deep spots, divots or debris can trip the horse or you. A riding arena is typically a good choice for handwalking. 3. Have a plan. Ask your veterinarian about the amount and type of walking that will benefit your horse. For example, are circles helpful or best avoided? Plan out your sessions using this information. 4. Leave your cell phone alone. You'll want to devote your full attention to your horse. Pocket your phone or leave it in the tack room as you walk him. 5. Wear gloves and hard-sold shoes. These will protect you if your horse becomes unpredictable and or difficult to control. For even more security, you could also wear a helmet. 6. Don't let him graze. Handwalking is a different prescription from hand grazing.
If your veterinarian wants the horse walked, keep moving. In addition, grazing puts a horse in a different mental state, where he's less focused on you and potentially more reactive and spooky. 7. Talk to your veterinarian about sedatives. If you worry your horse will be unruly, ask your veterinarian about using sedatives. Riding a sedated horse is dangerous, but most can be hand-walked safely on a low dose.
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