Basics Of Horse Safety
Before stepping up into the stirrup to go for a ride, some basic common sense and caution are required when dealing with horses. A pleasant ride can quickly change into a nightmare if you don’t take the right precautions to prevent an injury.
About 80% of all riding injuries are caused by a fall, so it’s important to protect yourself from serious injury by wearing the right protective gear. There effective ways to minimize the likelihood of a serious injury.
Safety Equipment:
Wearing the proper safety equipment can mean the difference from a serious injury and a minor one, so it’s essential gear.
Helmets:
An irrefutable must for any young rider or beginner is a helmet. This should be worn at all times when riding and handling horses. When buying a new helmet there are a few tips which should be followed.
1. Buy a helmet that meets the safety standards of a recognized equine association:
2. Make sure it fits properly, try on lots of different models to find the proper one for you.
3. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for fitting.
4. Makes sure it resides about one inch or so above your eyebrows
5. When fastened, make sure the chin strap has a firm contact with your jaw or chin.
6. To check the fit, put one hand on top of the helmet and rock it backwards and forwards and from side to side. Your scalp should move with the helmet. When your scalp moves, your eyebrows should move too.
Body Protectors:
A vital piece of protection, especially for novices and young horse people. Particularly important[spin] if you are jumping, doing cross country or riding on unfamiliar terrain, is a body protector. This padded vest is designed to protect your torso from trauma caused by blows, also prevents sharp objects from penetrating your body and damaging major organs, such as your lungs or kidneys.
Stirrups:
Another extra safety precaution to consider, especially for novice riders, are “safety stirrups”, which are designed to break in a [spin]manner which releases the rider’s foot so they don’t get dragged. The stirrups come in a variety of designs for both English and Western saddles.
Tack:
Make sure all of your tack is well looked after, in good condition and fits the horse correctly.
Check that it’s all supple, that the girth is tight enough and that the leather has no excessive wear or cracks.
Horse Behavior:
Each horse can have it’s own temperament and personality traits. Which means not all horses are suitable for all riders. Make sure you are riding a horse you’re confident you can handle.
The Horse’s Vision:
Horses have two blind spots (areas where they can’t see at all). There’s a small area at the tip of their nose and a large one directly behind them. Avoid standing or lingering in the area directly behind the horse. If you must walk behind a horse, place your hand on his hip so he knows you’re there, and remain close to his rear, getting kicked in the legs sure beats getting kicked in the torso or head.
The safest spot to stand around a horse, is at the side of the horse near and close to the horse’s shoulder area.
Understanding The Horse’s Body language:
Horses give off signs if they are likely to bite or kick. The main ones to look out for are:
-Ears pinned back
-Swishing tail
-Bared teeth
-Shaking head
If you found this article helpful you can find additional tips like this at the Hitching Post, a site for Country Singles, horse lovers and country folks in general.
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