Saturday, August 8, 2009

Equestrian Safety: Protection For You And Your Horse

By Riche Goldmann

Horseback riding is very pleasant but its important to take safety measures so you and your horse will be protected from injury. One of the things you should do when you ride a horse is wear a helmet. A helmet should fit correctly so it will stay on your head if you would fall. Equestrian helmets are specifically made to protect the back of your head. Make sure your helmet meets appropriate safety standards and is ASTM/SEI certified. The chance of head injury is much lower when you wear a proper helmet.

What you wear on your feet can be just as important as what you wear on your head. You need to wear a good sturdy shoe or boot with a good heel. This will keep your feet from sliding while in the stirrups and will help you to be better able to maneuver your foot in the event of an accident. It is imperative that you never wear tennis shoes, sandals, or go shoeless when horseback riding.

Saddling your horse needs to be done as gently as possible so you and your horse both stay protected and safe. To protect your horses back, you need to put a saddle pad on first. Then, put the saddle in the middle of the pad so its directly over your horses spine. Your horse should feel comfortable. Putting a saddle on your horse roughly can cause him to suddenly run and injure you. Be careful not to let the buckles hit your horses legs. The girth or cinch needs to be secured once the saddle is situated correctly. Do this on the off-side first and be very careful the girth doesnt hit the legs of your horse. Watch that your horse doesnt kick you while youre adjusting his saddle.

Mounting and dismounting can cause your horse to respond dangerously. This is because your entire weight goes to the side of your horse and causes uncomfortable pressure on his back. The saddle may also pull to the side. It may be easier to mount or dismount if someone holds your horse. A mounting block is a great solution to ease the painful twisting of the saddle on your horses back. It also makes it more comfortable for you to get on your horse. A mounting block should be sturdy and well-constructed. Your horse should be standing with his feet underneath him when you mount.

Riding a horse isn't easy, and it certainly isn't easy to take care of one. But it can be relatively easy to make sure that you are safe just by following these suggesstions!

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