When I was learning about horses, my instructor always strongly urged me to kneel, because, as you say, if something should happen, you can get away quicker. I often sit with my horse, because I trust him and am aware of the dangers, however I still definitely agree that kneeling is safer!

 

Never thought about this since I'm not in the habbit of kneeling or sitting around horses. If I'm trying to get on the level of my minis, though, I tend to kneel on one knee and have the other foot planted on the ground which makes it easier to push off and move if need be. Or I just crouch, but that tends to wear on the muscles faster if you are going to do it for long periods.

 

If you have to be in that area, ie wrapping a leg or dressing a wound, you should always kneel. Like you said, you are able to get up faster if something were to happen. Plus who wants to sit on a barn floor? :wink: EW

 

I have bad knees so I try not to kneel if I can help it. If I'm working on a horse's feet or doctoring, I'm usually slightly bent at the knee and bent over at the back. It's heck on my back, but a lot easier on the knees, plus I can move away fast if I need to.
I hear people kneel or sit to appear less aggressive to a distrustful horse. I don't think you necessarily need to get down low to have passive body posture.

 

I've sat with my horses in their paddock before, let them come up to me, sniff me etc. I only do it because I trust them, I'd never do it with any other horses. Whenever I'm working with my farrier, if he wants to show me something about a horse's feet, I'll couch or kneel if I'm going to be down there a while. A lot easier than bending over for a long time and you get a better view. If I didn't feel safe, I wouldn't do it. But when I'm in this situation, it's usually with a lame horse that can barely move period so I'm not too worried about being run over.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

I have always been taught to crouch next to horses when trimming legs/bandaging etc., if you sit or kneel and the horse spooks away from something on the opposite side, you basically don't have a chance of moving out of the way if you're sat down or kneeling and that foot comes towards you.