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While horseback riding is a wonderful sport, there are some inherent dangers associated with it. After all, you are sitting on a 1000 pound super sensitive prey animal that can be a bit unpredictable at times.
I’ve been hearing from a lot of women lately, particularly older women who are returning to riding, that have been injured in a riding accident, sometimes severely. While accidents can and do happen, you can reduce your likelihood of injury by the following a few basic principles.
1. Horse Selection is Key
Be sure that the horse you are riding is well matched to your abilities as a rider. A green rider on a green horse is just asking for trouble. Take lessons and learn from experts. Your instructor or trainer will ensure that you are a good match for the lesson horse they put you on.
If you are in the market to buy a horse, seek qualified help in selecting the right horse for you, They can help you ensure that not only are your riding abilities a good match, but that the horse you are buying is a good match for your goals. Here are a couple other articles that may be of interest.
Beginners Guide on Buying Your First Dream Horse
How to Select a Horse for Riders Over 50
2. Be Observant of Your Horse’s Behavior
You may have the calmest, most bomb proof horse in the world, but if on the day you arrive at the barn, the wind is blowing, tree branches are swaying, and tarps are flapping, observe the behavior of your horse. If he seems nervous, is moving around and his attention is not on you, don’t get on! Work with your horse on the ground until he becomes calm before you attempt to ride.
Any time you’re doing anything with a horse, be aware. Watch his ears and his facial expression. He’ll tell you if he’s getting nervous. Accidents can happen so quickly around horses. To stay safe, you’ve got to always be conscious of where the horse is, what position you’re in and how you might react and get away from him if something happens.
How to Read Your Horse’s Body Language
3. Don’t be Afraid to Get Off
I live on a dirt road and often spend my riding time trail riding down to the end of the dirt road and back. Today was one of the days I described earlier. It was a little blustery and cooler than usual. My horse, however, seemed calm and was acting as usual. Lulu isn’t the best trail horse in the world even on the calmest of days. She’s a cutting horse and by nature is hyper sensitive to movement, that’s what makes her a good cutting horse. Anyway, we normally work through her scardyhorseness and usually have a nice ride.
Today, while on our ride, a vulture flew up from behind a bush and Lulu spooked and jumped away. I stuck the spook, but her energy was elevated. On the ride home, she also became highly aware of some men hammering away while building a house in the distance. This seemed to bring her energy up even higher and she began to jig. At one point I pulled her around into a small circle until her energy dropped and she stopped moving her feet. We continued on our ride and she began to jig again. At one point it crossed my mind to get off. I ended up staying on, but I tell this story to illustrate that if you are feeling unsafe, get off.
As a herd animal, your horse is looking for a leader, and he’ll take his cue from you. If you’re nervous he’s going to be nervous and fidgeting. You’re uneasiness will only be transmitted to your horse and could make things worse. It’s better to be get off and lead your horse till he calms down and stay safe. Be calm and confident around a horse, and he’ll likely do the same.
4. Buddy Up
It’s always safer to ride with a buddy especially on a trail ride. If you do ride alone, be sure that someone knows where you are going. It is wise to carry a cell phone on your person rather than attached to your saddle. If you should come off your horse, and he takes off, your cell phone will go with him. I invested in a smart watch that has internet access so at the very least I can tell Siri to call 911 should I come off. You may want to try this Cell Phone Leg Band for Equestrians. I’ve linked to a Smart Watch as well if you want to check it out.
5. Gear up
Be sure to examine your equipment often for places where it may be becoming weak or torn. Stirrup leathers, girth straps, latigo, bridle pieces and reins can become weak particularly if it hasn’t been well maintained. Checking it and keeping it clean and oiled will prolong its life and keep it from failing you.
Always wear boots or shoes with a heel. The heel should be at least 1 inch high. I wear western boots and prefer a roper heel with a fairly tall shaft. I had a pair of roper boots one time where the shaft of the boot was a little on the short side. As I rode, the fender of my saddle kept getting hung up in my boot top, restricting my leg movement, so I always buy boots with a little taller shaft.
Also consider using a certified equestrian safety helmet. I grew up in an age where we didn’t use helmets for bike riding or for riding our horses. But wearing a helmet is always a good idea. As mentioned, horses can be unpredictable sometimes and spook unexpectedly. A helmet will offer some protection to your head should you fall.
A Word About Sunscreen.
I also grew up in a world without sunscreen as a kid. The only option at the time was thick, white, zinc oxide. Being a body conscious teenager, I wasn’t about to show up at the barn with a thick coat of zinc oxide on my face. Therefore I am now paying the price at the dermatologist as every visit requires something being burned or cut off! Put a tube of high SPF sunscreen in your kit and use it. You may also want to consider one of these new sun shirts.
6. Learn to Tie Your Horse Using a Quick Release Knot
One of my biggest pet peeves is a horse that pulls back when tied. It’s really a red flag for me and a deal breaker if I’m buying a horse. I’ve found that this habit is very hard to overcome.
However, even the most confident horse has the potential to spook and pull back when frightened. Using a quick release knot if this happens could save your horse from hurting themselves and your equipment from damage. There are many different techniques and types of quick release knots. This video demonstrates one way to tie your horse. Practice this technique until you get comfortable using it.
Other tips on tying:
- If possible tie so that your lead rope is tied to the fence at about the horse’s eye level. Leave no more than 18 to 24 inches between the knot and the horse’s halter. If the lead rope is too low or too long, the horse can get a foot over the rope.
- Make sure you’re tying to something solid that won’t break if your horse happens to spook. The only exception to that is if you know you have a horse that may pull back. In that case, just wrap his lead rope around the fence post a couple times, don’t tie him with a knot. It’s better to have a loose horse than one that’s thrashing and possibly hurting himself.
- When tying your horse at the horse trailer, make sure you find a safe spot and use the rings provided on most trailers. Don’t tie around trailer door latches or other parts of the trailer where a horse could get his halter hung up or pull parts of the trailer off should he pull back.
- When a horse is tied up, do not duck underneath the horse’s neck, because that could cause a wreck. (Guilty as charged!) If he should spook and jump forward, you could get struck between your horse’s chest and the fence. It’s best to take the extra seconds to safely walk around behind your horse.
- If your horse is tied in the arena do not leave the halter dangling from the post where someone or another horse could step in it as you bridle your horse and ride away. It’s also best to untie the lead rope from the fence so if someone does ride by and gets their toe caught in the halter, they’d drag it and not get caught.
7. Maneuvering Through Gates
As you’re leading your horse through a gate, be sure that you open it wide enough for the horse to get through. A lot of people will walk up to a gate and open it plenty wide for them to walk through, but it’s too narrow for the horse. If the horse is saddled, you also have to accommodate for the stirrups. Watch out for latches on the gate that could snag a stirrup, breast collar, back cinch or even your horse’s hip.
The same concerns apply when you want to open a gate from horseback. Be sure to open the gate wide enough and be aware of where the latch is. It’s also a good idea to teach your horse to side pass before you work a gate from horseback.
If you’re riding in an arena, make sure all the gates are shut. A half-open gate is very dangerous if something should cause your horse to bolt and run from the arena.
Another rule of thumb when it comes to gates is if you go through a closed gate, be sure you close it behind you. If you find it open, leave it open.
Final Thoughts
Make safety a habit. Do things the right way every time, every ride, with every horse. Awareness of your horse and common sense will go a long way in keeping both of your safe and having fun for years to come!
As we discussed, picking the right horse is key to your safety, confidence and happiness. If you are thinking about buying your first horse or your next dream horse, you will want to get my free Dream Horse Buyer’s Guide. It’s chock full of everything you need to know to narrow your search and ask the right questions. Get it today!
Enjoy the Ride!
Great read!
Thanks
Thank you Tammy!