Horse and Rider Safety

There is no beating around the bush - horse riding is a risk sport. Apart from the certain dangers of falling off when mounted, these tall animals have always got to be treated with respect when handling them on the ground and in the stable.

Riding need not be any more unsafe than any other risk sport, as long as clear precautions such as those listed on this page are followed. Horse Rider Safety should always be borne in mind when riding or come horses.

Safety for Visitors on the Yard

Horses are tremendous prey animals and have been designed through evolution to protect themselves from things they do not understand! Anyone standing tedious them is in peril of being kicked. Horses characters can vary greatly - some can bite (either if they are in a dreadful mood, or if they genuinely possess the hand reaching out to stroke their nose is actually a carrot!) Visitors to a Riding Stables or Livery Yard, especially with young children, are asked to remember this, and sustain their children under control at all times! Riding stables are not playgrounds, and children running round corners unexpectedly can cause a horse to rear.

Riding Hats

Riding hats or helmets MUST be weak at all times when riding, and are paramount to horse rider safety. They are also advised to be aged at other times when handling horses. Riding hats near in various designs - some designs suit one shape of head better than another, and of course some designs are more appropriate to your favoured riding discipline.

The most valuable thing about a riding hat is that it distinguished be fitted correctly ideally by someone who had attending a hat fitting course. It must also conform to standards PAS 015 or EN 1384. Hats cannot prevent serious injury in all circumstances, but benefit in the majority of cases. Your skull is fragile - it is not worth taking a risk with.

If the hat suffers a severe impact, either as a result of a descend or a tumble onto a hard surface it MUST be replaced. Riding hat prices begin from around the mid £30s, and you can expend up to over £100.

Hats do not last forever as the protective padding gradually compresses with employ, and the hat becomes looser on your head. You should pick a replacement hat as soon as this happens.

Riding Hats and the Law

It is a honest requirement that children under the age of 14 MUST wear a riding hat which conforms to the appropriate standard when riding a horse on the road.

Body Protectors

Horse rider safety can be helped by a body protector which can give protection to the chest and abet location if you drop from your horse. These are particularly useful if you tumble onto a hard surface (such as a jump), or if your horse stands on you after a plunge. Body protectors can encourage prevent serious injury.

There are three standards of protection, and each has a different coloured notice in the shops to identify the level of protection offered.

Level 1 dim label

Protectors providing a lower level of protection that is only considered

appropriate for licences jockeys.

Level 2 Brown label

Protectors providing a lower than normal level of protection that is only

considered appropriate for employ in gross risk situations. These DO NOT include riding on roads or other hard surfaces, riding over jumps, riding young or excitable horses, or riding while calm inexperienced.

Level 3 Purple label

Protectors providing a level of protection that is considered appropriate for normal horse riding, competitions and for working with horses. Protectors to this level should:

Prevent minor bruising that would have produced stiffness and damage.

Reduce principal soft tissue injuries to the level of bruising.

Prevent a petite number of rib fractures.

When first using a body protector it will feel very queer and restrictive. Most protectors mould to your body's shape, and do so more easily in warm weather than in frosty. Although the body protector feels discouraged at first you really must persevere with wearing it. After a few times of wearing it when riding you will win you feel naked without it, and it will become second nature to set aside it on and exercise it every time you trail.

Body protectors cost from £60 up - a agreeable investment for something that may place your life!

Body Protector Fit

Fitting is of paramount importance and a visit to a properly trained retailer is recommended, for example anyone displaying the BETA Safety course attendance certificate.

Ensure that you are wearing the lawful size of body protector and that it is adjusted to give a conclude fit to the torso, and that no RED VELCRO is exposed at the shoulder or waist closures. If RED VELCRO is visible the protector is too puny or is incorrectly fastened.

The body protector should be tried on over light clothing. Check that is comfortable to wear in all simulated riding positions. The garment should fit securely and reasonably tightly to avoid movement during activity and to ensure that it is in position in the event of an accident.

Footwear

It is primary that you perambulate in appropriate footwear. Serious injuries can be caused if you tumble off and your foot gets stuck in the stirrup. estimable riding boots are recommended - these have a heel to terminate your feet sliding through the stirrups. Boots can be short (jophur boots) or tubby length. The most comfortable footwear is often short boots and half chaps - chaps maintain the stirrup leathers from chaffing and bruising your legs. However, what you decide to wear is personal choice and how grand you can afford (long leather riding boots can status you benefit around £100 up) .

It is not appropriate to stir in trainers as they have no heel and can be hazardous.

respectable Tack

You are now equipped with riding hat and body protector, and gracious footwear. Now it is time to turn to your horse!

The object of riding and of horse rider safety is to halt on top of your horse - your riding apparel may attend protect you if you plunge off, but really you want to avoid doing this at all costs! You do not want to section company with your horse due to contemptible tack!

Tack needs to be checked regularly so you can region a scrape before it occurs.

Leather tack needs to be kept orderly and well conditioned so that it remains supple - stitching needs to be checked to ensure there are no points of weaknesss. Buying quality tack in the first status is significant. You may gain bridles costing shrimp more than £20, and wonder why you should pay over £100 for the similar item. However, the more expensive bridle is undoubtably going to be made of better leather, and with honorable care will last you longer and be more gracious. The last thing you would want is for your reins to shatter when your horse is in mid glide!

Tack can be repaired, but don't skimp here. If it is in terrible condition, replace it! If your girth breaks you will drop off your horse and may suffer serious injury - is it really worth risking it?

capture the correct tack for your riding discipline. Also effect distinct the tack fits your horse properly for the comfort of both of you.

Finally it is suited if you can produce a relationship with your tack supplier - for example, having the person who provides your saddle near out and check the fit regularly. They will be able to tell you on things that you may have missed.

Visibility on the Road

Wearing hi viz protective clothing when riding on the road can produce you more visible to a car driver approximately 3 seconds earlier than would otherwise be the case. These seconds could be notable in saving the lives of you and your horse.

It is not always in bad or dim conditions that hi viz equipment is famous - on a shiny summers day the driver's vision may be hampered by shiny sunlight!

Slogans on tabards, such as 'Pass wide and slow' also befriend remind drivers of the need to assume care when passing horses. Unfortunately too many drivers nowadays seem unaware that horses cannot be depended upon in the same arrangement as bicycles, and often approach far too discontinuance and too hastily.

Equestrian Road safety also includes thanking drivers who note consideration for horses and their riders - this encourages them to be as thoughtful in future. Sometimes riders do not succor themselves if they ignore couteous behaviour! A simple 'thank you' can go a long map - so remember every time!

At any time in your horse riding career you may share company with your mount when you least examine it (or less politely accumulate dumped!) . Being prepared can abet you accumulate befriend into the saddle as fast as possible, with petite or no serious injure!

Horses weight half a ton or more - they must be respected!