To a horse, some people–especially veterinarians and farriers–can be scary. Think about it: Veterinarians, farriers, and other equine professionals often get out of their trucks, tools in hand, and approach the horse briskly so they can get the job done. After all, they’ve got other horses to see. So what can vets and owners alike do to make these visits less stressful for all involved?

Robert M. Miller, BS, DVM, an equine behaviorist and retired veterinarian from Thousand Oaks, Calif., gave some suggestions to accomplish just that at the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention, held July 16-19 in St. Louis, Mo.

A human’s "get-the-job-done" attitude can be intimidating to a horse, which is a recipe for injury, said Miller.

Instead, Miller suggested that veterinarians give the animal a few minutes to let his guard down: "Leave the tools in the truck. Walk slowly and gently toward the animal. Let him smell you, stroke him and talk nice, and make eye contact. Then go back and get your tools. If you invest just a few minutes, you might need less restraint," he said