Horses should always be approached in which of the following ways?

Approaching horses correctly is crucial for both the safety of the handler and the comfort of the horse. Horses have a natural flight instinct and can be startled easily, which makes how you approach them extremely important. The left side is generally considered the safest side to approach a horse. This is due to the fact that horses are typically trained to be handled from their left side, making them more accustomed to human presence on that side.

When approaching a horse from the left, the horse can better see the handler coming, reducing the risk of surprising it. It also aligns with grooming and saddling practices, as these are most commonly performed from this side. Horses also tend to be more trained and more relaxed on their left side due to consistent handling in this manner.

Approaching a horse from behind can create a potential danger zone where the horse might kick out of surprise or fear. Approaching from the front can be risky as well, as the horse might feel threatened and react defensively. Therefore, approaching from the left is often endorsed as the best practice in veterinary care and animal handling.