Enjoy Riding A Horse Safely

If you rent a horse to ride by the hour or own a horse there are safety precautions you should take before you start. Even seasoned riders can be injured. There are more horseback riding accidents approximately every 350 hours than motorcycle accidents once every 7000 hours.

Take lessons before you ride until you feel that you are proficient enough to be able to either ride on a trail on your own or with friends.

When riding you should wear a helmet approved by the ATSM, American Society of Testing materials or the SEI, Safety Equipment Institute.

You should be wearing shoes or boots that have a heel so that your foot will fit correctly in the stirrup and be held at the proper angle. Also you should make sure, if this is your own equipment or tack, that you have breakaway stirrups, so that if you happen to fall the horse will not drag you.

If you are on a trail with friends, do not become so engrossed in conversation that you forget that you are riding. You should be aware of your surroundings and be on the lookout for deer or other animal that could dart out of the woods or if in a populated area a dog. If your horse gets frightened you can find yourself either unseated and hurt or on a runaway horse.

When riding alone you should have your cell phone with you in case of emergency. Also have some twine and a pocket knife in case you need to repair your tack.

An average horse can weigh about 1500 pounds and can be easily spooked. They depend on you to work with them so that both of you have an enjoyable experience.