To watch the cowboy movies, you’d think falling off a horse was as painless as a walk in the park. Wrong, Red Rider!
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there are about 70,000 injuries associated with horses and riding each year, and 150 deaths. There are about 6,000 head or spinal injuries annually, and probably no horseback riding incident caught the public’s attention more than the tragedy that befell Christopher Reeve. Horses helped us settle the West, but sometimes it’s not so easy to settle them. Whether you are a novice or an experienced rider, here are some tips to stay safe in the saddle.
Some Preliminaries
* Falls are the most common of all riding injuries. Always wear a properly secured, hard-shell riding helmet that has been certified by the Safety Equipment Institute.
* Wear the helmet at all times when working around horses. Studies show that the number of head injuries could be reduced by a third, and the number of severe head injuries could be cut in half if riders would wear equestrian helmets.
* Batting and bike helmets are not acceptable for horseback riding.
* Wear smooth-soled riding shoes that cover the ankle. The shoes should have at least a half-inch raised heel to prevent getting a foot caught in the stirrup and being dragged.
* Wear long pants to prevent chafing, and possible infections.
* Clothing must be snug to avoid becoming tangled with the saddle.
* Wear well fitting gloves to protect hands from blisters, rope burns and cuts.
* Don’t wear jewelry, bracelets or flapping clothing that might startle a horse, or get caught.
* Inform the stable of your experience level. If you’re a beginner, get instructions from a certified trainer and ask for a quiet, small horse.
* When approaching a horse, speak softly so the animal hears you coming; walk where the horse can see you; stroke him on the neck or shoulder first; and approach from the shoulder at an angle.
* Do not run, yell or play behind a horse.
* Avoid a horse’s blind spot. Do not walk or stand directly in front of or behind a horse. If you must walk behind a horse, stay at least 15 feet away.
* Do not feed a horse from your hand.
* Do not touch a strange horse unless its owner says the horse would welcome the attention.
* Walk around a horse, not under its body, neck or tie rope.
* Carry a cell phone for emergencies, but keep it turned off.
Saddle Up
* Check all leather pieces for wear or cracking.
* Check stitching for loose or broken threads.
* Inspect the cinch strap that secures the saddle to the horse’s back. It should be solid and tight.
* Be sure the saddle and stirrups are properly adjusted. With your foot in the stirrup, there should be a 1/4″ clearance between each side of your shoe and the stirrup.
* Always mount in an open area away from objects you could fall on or the horse could get caught up in. Use a mounting block if necessary.
Most injuries occur when a rider is unintentionally separated from the horse. To stay with your horse:
* Avoid riding on heavily traveled roads. Watch for traffic at all times. Wear light colored clothing.
* Ride single file on trails and roads. Keep at least one horse length between horses.
* Don’t ride alone. The lead rider should warn of upcoming hazards.
* Ride on the soil. Make sure the footing is good.
* Watch for unusual objects in the horse’s path.
* If you need to adjust your equipment or clothing, dismount.
* Never tie or wrap yourself to a horse. The Horsemanship Safety Association says you should always be able to escape your horse in three seconds or less.
* Never ride double.
* In a lightning storm, dismount and go to a low area, but not under a tree.
* Make sure an up-to-date first aid kit is available at all times.
Kids And Horses
Kids love horses. What child has not asked for a pony at some point? According to the American Medical Equestrian Association, before you grant your child’s wish, he or she should have:
* The desire to ride.
* The muscle strength to hold the proper position in the saddle.
* The balance to remain on the horse.
* The ability to understand instructions and follow directions.
* Neck muscles strong enough to support fitted, approved headgear.
* A saddle that fits the child and the horse.
* Only then should you find the proper calm horse and the certified instructor who has the experience and patience to teach your child.
John Myre is the author of the award-winning book, Live Safely in a Dangerous World, http://www.safetytimes.com, and the publisher of the Safety Times Reproducible Articles, http://www.safetytimes.com/repro.htm.
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