Horse Rider Safety

Arabian horses

Always wear a helmet!

Horse rider safety should be the number one consideration of everyone who rides a horse, or loves someone who does. While horseback riding is an enjoyable and exhilarating sport, it can be a dangerous one as well. Even the most experienced and accomplished riders have accidents, and from the rearing horse to the galloping horse it is important that each rider know how to get back in control.

In many ways, horse rider safety begins before the rider ever mounts the horse. It is essential that the relationship of human to horse be one of respect, and that the horse sees you as the leader. Horses in nature have a firm herd hierarchy, and once established the pecking order rarely changes. Just as the smart dog owner will make him or herself the Alpha dog, the horse owner concerned with safety will establish him or herself as the leader of the herd. There are many excellent ways to establish this leadership role, and there are entire books and websites devoted to these methods. It is not necessary to use rough methods to gain respect, and rough methods can in fact be counterproductive. The most important thing to remember is that equestrian safety begins when the rider is on the ground.

Whether your ultimate goal is to take a relaxing pony ride or compete at the highest levels of equine sport, horseback riding lessons should begin long before purchasing a horse. These horseback riding lessons should focus on the basics of horse rider safety, such as how to deal with a rearing horse, how to stay on a bucking horse, and how to deal with a running horse or a galloping horse. The lessons should also focus on the basics, such as how to saddle a horse. Every rider will need to know these basic elements of horseback riding, and horse rider safety begins with a thorough knowledge of horses and how they think.

Here are some basic horse rider safety rules:

Of course the most important piece of horse rider safety equipment is the riding helmet, and no rider should ever mount a horse without an riding helmet that is Pony Club approved. Whether you ride English or Western, the helmet is the most important part of your riding apparel.

Always wear heeled footwear.

Check your tack before you go on a ride.

Be seen! Wear fluorescent clothes or accessories so car drivers can see you at all times of the day and in all weather conditions.

Never walk at the backside of a horse, it might kick you. Approach your horse from the front, so he can see you.

Look out for brances, trees or other obstacles.

Keep away from busy roads as much as possible.

Ride on the right side of the road.

Give a signal when you are about to make a maneuver.

Leave details about the road you're going to take and the estimated time you'll be back.

Learning how to ride a horse is simply not enough. Every rider must know and appreciate the importance of horse rider safety, and keep it foremost in their minds at all times.